Mokena Makeka is a senior advisor at Dalberg and retains a directorship in Designworks. He is a Director on our GBCSA board and answered our questions to give us a better idea of his work, the environment and what inspires him.
1. Where do you go for inspiration?
Internal. I write and watch movies and read… for inspiration. For relaxation I box and run.
2. What is the best part of your workday?
When it’s done… especially if I can squeeze in some time at gym.
3. What achievement are you most proud of?
Raising my children and teaching them to be creative. Career wise, teaching at GSAPP university in New York alongside the world’s best architects.
4. What do you think is the most urgent global environmental challenge facing us?
Low carbon urbanization.
5. What do you feel is the biggest issue in the green building industry that we have to overcome, and any ideas on where to start in tackling it?
We have to evolve our offering into policy integration and analysis, that moves beyond building but rather towards low carbon built environments and engage state institutions to take a leading role.