Helen Taylor

BA (Hons) B (Arch) FRIBA

Professional Practice Research Fellow

School of Architecture

Role

I work in industry as Director of Practice for Scott Brownrigg, a collaborative, international architecture and design practice. The Research Fellowship post helps the School of Architecture develop and strengthen its research and development relationship with architectural practice. It provides an opportunity to collaborate and develop our joint research capacities in a range of areas, including those we are already exploring through the architecture apprenticeship programme.

Teaching and supervision

Modules taught

RIBA Part 3 External Examiner UCL The Bartlett School of Architecture.

Research

Urban Schools, Designing schools for Wellbeing, Sustainable education estates, post-covid school design.

Research group membership

Scott Brownrigg Design Research Unit, Architecture Research Practice Leads.

Research grants and awards

AJ100 Collaboration of the Year 2020 for “Urban Schools” publication.

Research projects

Designing schools for Wellbeing.

Further information

Scott Brownrigg Profile

Scott Brownrigg Design Research Unit

Publications

Garstecki P, Taylor H, 'The apprentice professional' in Jones A, Hyde R (ed.), Defining Contemporary Professionalism: For Architects in Practice and Education, RIBA (2019)

ISBN: 9781859468470 eISBN: 9781859468470

Taylor H, 'SHaW Futures Academy: Design Research and Evaluation Report', (2020)
Published here

Professional information

Memberships of professional bodies

Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA)
Member of the RIBA Large Practice Committee
Member of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Education & Skills Taskforce

Areas of expertise

School Design, Access and Inclusion, Architecture Practice.

Other experience

Director of Practice, Scott Brownrigg
RIBA Client Design Advisor
Associate, Bam Design
Associate Director, Capita Symonds
Associate, Architecture PLB

Conferences

Numerous conference speaking including:

Education Estates
Child in the City Conference

Further details

Helen is a Research Fellow and Director of Practice at Scott Brownrigg. In the latter role, she is responsible for technical competence and expertise across the whole practice, to ensure legal and best practice compliance. Helen’s commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusive design, supports the practice in achieving its quality management, sustainability and corporate social and environmental responsibility objectives. Specialising in Education design for many years, particularly Early Years, Primary and Special Schools, Academies, and University Technical Colleges, she led the innovative SHaW Futures Academy project which led to a book entitled “Urban Schools: Designing for High Density” published by RIBA and awarded AJ100 Collaboration of the Year 2020.

She is well recognised through her collaboration with industry bodies- particularly RIBA. Helen was a founder member of Architects for Change, the RIBA’s Equality & Diversity Forum, Convenor of the Schools Client Forum, and both a council and board member. She is passionate about cross industry collaboration, engagement and research. She played a significant role in the establishment of Modern Apprenticeships in Architecture and was awarded Fellowship of the RIBA in 2020.