Design Skills for Architects and Designers! -Worked in two famous architecture practices. Tutor for 14 years. -First-class honours in Architecture, work published in Dezeen.

Find out more about Tia

• Can you tell us about your first experience with user design?

  Human-centredxt design is a running theme throughout my professional career. While working on the interior of The International Criminal Court, I researched the interaction of psychology and design after we identified a
  pressing need for calming spaces when hearing from the people involved with the trials about their experiences with cases that are often traumatic. This was my first practical experience with applying design principles of manipulating light, colour, texture and layout to positively influence the state of mind of the user. This method of prioritising user experience was one that I pursued in every design project and reinforced with each student
  over the years. This culminated in my research project on the effect of fractals and biomimicry on human psychology, and the potential of future technology to bring these elements into our built environment. This research was published by Dezeen and the BBC.

• What are your thoughts on environmental design?

  Sustainable design has been a very important principle throughout my professional career. While working on the interior of The Big Data Institute we proposed sustainable materials and products. We made this building very efficient by using a thermal labyrinth, which cools incoming air in summer and warms it in winter. The heat generated by the building’s IT servers is used to heat nearby water pipes, generating hot water. The design was recognised in 2020 with a gold award in the Green Impact Awards. This method of prioritising sustainability is one that I have pursued in every design project and reinforced with each student over the years. This culminated in my March research project on biomimicry looking at what we can learn from nature to design more sustainably, as well as the potential
  of future technology to bring these concepts into our built environment.

• Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in architecture.

  I research biomimicry and its potential interactions with architectural technology. 3D printing and parametricism will allow architecture and the built environment to be freed from many construction constraints of the past. If we can learn from nature how best to use these tools, the world will be better for it.

• Do so-called 'starchitects', such as Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Tadao Ando inspire you or do you have other role models?

  I don't think fame is a good indicator of a great architect, but there are certainly things to be learned from the stories and work of the ones that society revears. I have worked with a couple of 'starchitects' in my professional career and it seems to me that some are genuinely talented architects, while others are great at marketing themselves. Ive learned something from them either way, we as an industry should all be better at bringing architecture into the mainstream.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I had to redo a large module in first year, but I didn't give up and I focused on learning new skills. I graduated with a first.

• What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "3D modelling is too complicated"?

  I would remind them that they are not alone, that I will walk them through it and it will be second nature to them very soon. There are just a few concepts to understand, and the buttons will all fall into place. Once you have even a little understanding of it, it can be incredibly fun: the possibilities of what you can create are infinite!

• What are your other passions, related or non-related to architecture?

  I love creative writing and making furniture. I run tabletop rpg games and I read a lot about ancient history.

• What makes you a Superprof in Architecture?

  I have known since 2012 when I was first approached to tutor in BIM, that teaching is something I am passionate about and I promised myself to always pursue it alongside my professional practice. I have not stopped teaching
  since then, both in person and online using various digital tools. I have taught groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds. My passion for it only increases every time I see a student flourish. Learning, for me, is an exciting road to discovery, and this is what I like to emphasise in my teaching. I encourage my students to think for themselves and discover
  their own strategies through verbal and visual guidance, which is underpinned by positive feedback.
  Design is an incredibly important facet of society and the human condition; it is the key to the future of a sustainable world. That is why I will always be proud to contribute to teaching the next generation of designers.