Architecture remains a passion and a subject I'm very interested in. I learned a great deal from studying it and working in it.

Hisham Matar’s quote reflects a deep, personal connection to architecture, not just as a former field of study but as a continuing passion that informs his worldview. When he says, “Architecture remains a passion and a subject I'm very interested in,” he underscores the lasting influence the discipline has had on his intellectual and creative life. For Matar, architecture is more than just the design of buildings—it is a way of thinking about space, structure, and human experience.

He acknowledges that he learned a great deal from both studying and working in architecture, indicating that the training gave him tools and perspectives that extend beyond technical skill. The discipline taught him how to analyze form, understand scale, and appreciate how design impacts daily life. These insights have likely influenced his work as a writer, where the construction of narrative mirrors the architectural process—carefully building elements to support a cohesive whole.

The quote also speaks to the interdisciplinary value of architecture. Even though Matar ultimately chose a path in literature, the skills and ways of seeing developed through his architectural background continue to shape his aesthetic sensibility and philosophical approach. It suggests that architecture, once studied deeply, becomes a lifelong lens through which one interprets the world.

This quote originates from interviews in which Hisham Matar discusses his early education and career path before he became known as a celebrated novelist and essayist. His acclaimed literary works, such as The Return and In the Country of Men, often explore memory, identity, and exile, themes that resonate with architecture’s concern for place and belonging. Matar’s reflection shows how foundational experiences in architecture can resonate creatively, even after a career pivot.