Join us for this member-only, interactive event with a range of expert speakers.

Femi Oresanya, Chair of RIBA Expert Advisory Group, Architects for Change, Honorary Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, and Senior Architect at HOK, will host the discussion, exploring the barriers which exist both within the profession and in architectural education.

Femi is a Principal of H.O.K, an elected RIBA Council Member, Chair of the RIBA Advisory Group – Architects for Change, which advises on equity, diversity and inclusion in the profession.

He is also Honorary Visiting Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL; a professional examiner at Cambridge University and takes an active role in mentoring and supporting students who aspire to become architects.

Speakers comprise:

Cristina Lanz Azcarate, Director and Co-founder of atelier EURA and Chair of London and South East region for NAWIC

A Chartered Member of the RIBA, Cristina Lanz Azcarate is the Director and co-founder of atelier EURA, a design studio specialising in architecture, and the outgoing Chair of the London and South East region for NAWIC (the National Association of Women in Construction).

During her twenty years career within the UK construction industry, Cristina has worked on all sides of the architectural process including client and contractor-side which is how she has been able to learn about the contributions made by each member of the wider design team and developed an inclusive leadership style.

Beyond her work as an architect, Cristina has collaborated with a large number of organisations driven by the need to create a culture of change within the Built Environment for the past nine years. This work, among other things, granted her an invitation to present evidence at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment Commission whose 7th inquiry focused on identifying successful strategies to attract more women into the sector.

Cristina sees architecture as a tool to better the quality of life of others and being part of the industry as a responsibility full of potential. It is this potential that inspires her and helps her remain passionate about her work.

Paul Karakusevic, Founding Partner of Karakusevic Carson Architects

Paul Karakusevic founded Karakusevic Carson Architects to raise the design and quality the UK’s social and public housing. Over the past 20 years, he has worked with residents and local government to investigate ways of improving the design and delivery of affordable homes and neighbourhoods which reflect the real needs of communities.

In 2022, the practice published ‘Public Housing Works’ with Lund Humphries; a book charting the last two decades of public housing design and delivery in the UK, told through the studio’s housing and masterplanning projects. In 2017, Paul co-authored the book ‘Social Housing – Definitions and Design Exemplars’, published by RIBA.

The practice is currently working on some of the most challenging housing projects in the UK for a collection of pioneering local government client groups. Paul has lectured at the world’s leading universities and delivered talks about the work of the practice and our design approaches to architectural institutes in Europe, America, Canada and Australia.

Ibrahim Buhari, RIBA Chartered architect, Public Practice alumnus and Senior Urban Design Officer at Royal Borough of Kensington + Chelsea

Ibrahim Buhari is a RIBA Chartered architect, Public Practice alumnus and Senior Urban Design Officer at the Royal Borough of Kensington + Chelsea. As an architect, Ibrahim has worked mostly for private sector clients on cultural projects geared towards delivering benefit for the public good. In his capacity as Senior Urban Design Officer at RBKC, Ibrahim is embedding a public sector proactive approach to development in the borough, through advocating the value of high quality design at the earliest possible stage of projects. Ibrahim is committed to redressing the underrepresentation of professionals from Black and Minority backgrounds in the built environment, through his role as member of the RIBA’s EDI Expert Advisory group, Architects for Change, and as a member and ambassador of the Paradigm Network. He strives for a diverse and equitable industry through advocating for change within the profession and through mentoring students considering and pursuing a career in the built environment.

Tumpa Husna Yasmin Fellows, Architect and founder of FAME collective

Tumpa Husna Yasmin Fellows is an architect, design researcher, a lecturer and an architectural design tutor at the London School of Architecture and the Central Saint Martins. She is the founder of FAME collective, co-founder of Our Building Design and the charity Mannan Foundation Trust.

Tumpa utilises design practice to be an active agent of socio-spatial decolonisation of climate responsive design, for environmental, climate and spatial justice. Tumpa is a panel member of the Design Review Panel for the Southwark Council Planning Department, in London. She was named a RIBA-J Rising Star (2017), she has been awarded the RIBA President's Award for Research 2019 (commendation), a RIBA BAME award winner (2019), SEED/Pacific Rim Community Architecture Award winner (2018) and Architecture Sans Frontiers Award 2017 (commendation). Tumpa was in the judging panel for the RIBA President's Award for Research in 2021.

This event is open to RIBA Members.

If you haven't already we invite you to join us as a RIBA Student or Associate Member to access a range of member-only events, opportunities and creative content. This event is hosted by RIBA Future Architects, our community for future and emerging architects. Find useful resources and content to support you throughout your architectural education journey on our digital hub.

RIBA Future Architects Discuss: The Barriers in Architecture