In terms of form, all the projects interest me equally, although there are obviously large differences according to the scale and process of each project.

As a woman, I'm expected to want everything to be nice and to be nice myself. A very English thing. I don't design nice buildings - I don't like them. I like architecture to have some raw, vital, earthy quality.

Architecture is like writing. You have to edit it over and over so it looks effortless

It was such a depressing time. I didn't look very depressed, maybe, but it was really dire. I made a conscious decision not to stop, but it could have gone the other way.

Good education is so important. We do need to look at the way people are taught. It not just about qualifications to get a job. It's about being educated.

I used to not like being called a 'woman architect.' I'm an architect, not just a woman architect. The guys used to tap me on the head and say 'you're OK for a girl.' But I see an incredible amount of need from other women for reassurance that it can be done, so I don't mind anymore.

My father was a politician, and a very important politician, and one of the leaders of the Iraqi Democratic Party, who believed in progress.