Una Ferreira dares to dream big. Not only does she have her own architectural practice, Una Stuurmann Architects, she also owns Bold Creations, an art studio where young Namibians are taught how to combine art with manufacturing.
“If your dream doesn’t scare you, then it’s not big enough,” I often say with a smile.
And make no mistake, dreaming big has certainly paid off for me. Bold Creations won first prize in the 2021/22 National Innovation for Women competition, organized by the National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology (NCRST) and sponsored by the Social Security Commission. There were more than 300 entries. We never thought we would win, but it was such a validation of our efforts to build up Bold Creations. I used the prize money to buy a CNC laser-cutting machine for the art studio—an impressive piece of equipment that can cut steel sheets up to 3 meters by 1.5 meters in size, and up to 20 millimeters thick. Having this machine will take our wood and metalwork to a whole new level.
The art studio had humble beginnings. The roots of Bold Creations come from me being an architect. If people hadn’t helped me or given me opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So, I wanted to give something back. I asked myself, how can I help Namibian youth who, for lack of opportunities, are currently just sitting at home, but are talented artists and capable individuals who could use their hands to make a living?
I had some savings — my dad always taught me to save a bit of money, and I used that money to buy a welding machine, a compressor, and tools. We employed a few young people, and I paid them from my own salary. At that time, we were renovating our office, and there was a heap of building rubble lying around. So, they started using the rubble and recycled it into artworks, and that was how Bold Creations started.
Today, the studio makes art pieces, signage, furniture, creative metal screens, sculptures, and just about anything else our customers request. We’ve even used old, rusted brick force to create stunning furniture pieces, which we call ‘weavers’ nests’ because they resemble them — they really look gorgeous. I want to show people that we have the talent and willingness here in Namibia, and that we can create beautiful objects of all sorts.
The evolution of Bold Creations rests on combining art and architecture. I think that’s where the whole of me comes to fruition. However, initially, everyone in the office thought, ‘Oh, this is just Una’s hobby.’ But when we won the competition, they started to realize it was more than that.
I am a fierce advocate for women in construction. It’s important to me to inspire the next generation of female builders, especially young women fresh out of school. That’s why I award bursaries to female students to study architecture, helping them carve their own paths in this industry.
While I’m married to Agostinho Ferreira, another accomplished architect, I’ve chosen to honor my father’s legacy by registering my firm under my maiden name, Stuurmann. My father faced many hardships, and it was he who supported my education. So, it felt only right to carry his name forward.
Building a successful practice as a woman in a male-dominated industry is not without its hurdles. There’s a lot of testosterone, and navigating that dynamic takes care and finesse. Not everyone is comfortable with a woman giving orders. But I’ve learned that women bring a different perspective. We approach things emotionally, which can be both our strength and challenge. When things go wrong, we feel it deeply. But that same emotional connection is my superpower—it’s what helps me push through, lead with empathy, and create meaningful, lasting work.
