Tara Gbolade is the latest architect to give a talk to Temple Bar Trust on 18 October 2021, chaired by Lucy Bullivant. She presented some of Gbolade Design Studio’s architecture and policy projects as case studies, highlighting how the practice responds to environmental, social and economic sustainability priorities, with the ultimate goal of designing kinder places to live, work and play.

The Studio’s practices are predicated on the notion of ever learning, ever being curious, and ever testing theories that mean starting design with the end-users firmly in slight: recognising that they are the experts of where they live work and play, and as architects, they are but the custodians in a moment who make decisions with generational effects on place. Tara explained how the practice is rethinking traditional notions and materiality to ensure its responses to place and communities are authentic and work for the broadest of users, ensuring that these places allow people to live their full and authentic lives.

Tara Gbolade is an RIBAJ Rising Star Winner and co-founder of Gbolade Design Studio, recently shortlisted for the BD Young Practice of the Year Award. The practice specialises in sustainable design with insight from existing communities. Tara is a co-founder of the Paradigm Network, a professional network championing black and Asian representation in the built environment; and she sits on the steering group of Architects Declare. Her expertise in design and planning policy saw her lead the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town Sustainability Strategy – an ambitious planning guidance for Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils. Tara is a member of a few Design Review Panels in and around London, and sits on the Public Practice Board as an Alumni Observer. She is a member of the advisory committee for the Guys & St Thomas Charity Impact on Urban Health initiative.