The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
In her new book, Gbolade champions the nimbleness of small practices that enables them to rapidly pivot toward a more regenerative future. Drawing from her own experience and through a series of short case studies (nimtim architects, Knox Bevan, Studio Gil, amongst others), she shares the simple steps designers can take to upskill without being ‘overwhelmed’.
Four-person strong Gbolade Design Studio recently won an AJ architecture award for Hermitage Mews, eight net-zero town houses in Crystal Palace. In this episode, we also delve into the challenges and successes of that project. ‘What I’m most proud of is the friendships we built. We had a predominantly female-led team that has grown well past the project. We’re at each other’s hen-dos and weddings,’ says Gbolade.
Collaboration is central to Gbolade Design Studio’s ethos. Shared values of sustainability, transparency and joyfulness determine the clients and projects the practice chooses to take on. Included in her book (co-authored with her business partner and husband Lanre Gbolade), is a ‘client assessment chart’ that sets out criteria for evaluating potential clients.
A founding member of the Paradigm Network that champions Black and Asian representation in the built environment, Gbolade touches on why the industry still has a long way to go. ‘We need procurement teams and client teams to be intentional, because none of this can happen without intentionality.’
In conjunction with this podcast episode, RIBA Publishing is offering a 20 per cent discount on Tara’s book. Use this code: CTG20 (valid until June 30).
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About Tara Gbolade
Tara Gbolade is co-founding director of Gbolade Design Studio and a Mayor's Design Advocate. She is also a trustee of the UK Green Building Council. A Passivhaus designer with expertise in net-zero design and retrofit, Tara describes herself as an ‘architect and strategic urbanist’. Her childhood in Nigeria was formative in her understanding of community and place-making.
As a founding member of the Paradigm Network, Tara champions black and Asian representation in the built environment. Tara was a member of the steering group of Architects Declare between 2021 and 2024. She frequently takes part in Design Review Panels, currently with the GLA and Lambeth Council. She is also a recent Saïd Business School (Oxford University) 'Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses' alumna, the only built environment professional in her cohort.
Tara trained at the University of Liverpool and holds a Masters from Newcastle University. She is a certified Passivhaus designer and holds an AIM qualification Level 5 diploma from the Retrofit Academy.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) consultation
National Retrofit Hub EPC report
The National Retrofit Hub (NRH) is hosting a webinar on 5 February to discuss its response to the consultation. Guidance on how to respond to the consultation will be posted on the NRH website after the webinar.
Changing the Game: How to be a sustainable and regenerative Small Practice
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
Association for Environment Conscious Building
Retrofit Coordinator Training - PAS 2035
Credits
Podcast produced and edited by May Robson
Music: Edmilson do Pífano, Forró de dois Amigos. Interpretation: Felipe Tanaka e banda Balaio de Baião
