The Architecture of Place: In Conversation with Elsie Owusu

The ICAA, INTBAU, and the Prince’s Foundation are pleased to continue their collaboration with The Architecture of Place: In Conversation with..., a series of interviews featuring three architects from different backgrounds and points of view: Mohamad Hamouié, Whitley Esteban, and Elsie Owusu. Over the three-part series, each speaker plays the role of both interviewer and interviewee. In each installment, one of the three architects interviews another about the influences, experiences, and projects that have led to their design perspective on the architecture of place. At the end of each session, students from partnering university departments pose additional questions to the speakers, followed by an open Q&A with attendees.

In this third iteration of the series, Whitley Esteban interviewed Elsie Owusu about her work, background, and design perspective. A student from the University of Edinburgh also made a special appearance and provided guest questions for the interviewee.

As an Architect and Specialist Conservation Architect, interior and urban designer, Elsie Owusu has a wide expertise in transport and infrastructure, as well as the issues facing emerging economies. Passionate about contemporary architecture and city planning, she is particularly fascinated by their relationship to the arts in general, and the specific work of individual artists.

Eminent artist Sir Peter Blake, amongst others, has collaborated with her on a number of projects from jewelry to housing. While a partner at Feilden+Mawson LLP, Elsie was responsible for the masterplan for Green Park Station in London, as well as being lead architect for arts and interiors on the UK Supreme Court's refurbishment. She has completed designs for public transport systems in Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.

Previously a board member of Arts Council England and the National Trust of England, Elsie is currently serving on the boards of the Architectural Association, the UK Supreme Court Arts Trust and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Council. She is also Vice-Chair of the London School of Architecture. Elsie is also director of ArchQuestra, which provides the best of British architecture, art and engineering to support emerging economies. A long time director of JustGhana, a UK company dedicated to investment in the people and culture of Ghana, Elsie is currently designing a range of Ghanaian ethical gold jewelry with prominent UK artists.

Tags: architecture of place, recorded event, architecture of place in conversation with, world of classicism, sustainability