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
Publications
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.
Press, publicity and reviews
- Rising to the challenge: an interview with Helen Taylor, architect – Architecture and Education
- Gender pay gap case study: Helen Taylor and Kim Balchin, Scott Brownrigg (architecture.com)
- Urban Schools: Designing for High Density - Reviews (buildingsandcities.org)
- RIBA on the hunt for more practices to take on apprentices (architectsjournal.co.uk)