Support

We believe in giving underrepresented voices a platform through mentoring, with diversity at the centre of what we do. We rethink how we engage with architectural education by revisiting traditional models and exploring new, inclusive approaches. At Narrative Practice, our singular objective is to improve representation in the field, ensuring that each voice is heard and valued.

Supporters

“As students, asking questions is one of our most powerful tools. Mentoring has allowed me to ask even more questions and learn about various perspectives through multiple tutors and mentors, expanding my knowledge and network. In addition, as a soon-to-be graduate, Sessions allowed me to discuss my CV and professional portfolio in-depth with professionals who shared their knowledge and guided me, helping me improve the way I can present my work and capabilities.”

Sessions Mentee

Sessions in Practice

Arup Two

Credits:

Narrative Practice

HFM Architects

Credits:

Narrative Practice

Fathom Architects

Credits:

Narrative Practice

Arup One

Credits:

Narrative Practice

Wilkinson Eyre

Credits:

James Budgen at Wilkinson Eyre

Fletcher Priest Architects

Credits:

Narrative Practice and Jane Lam at LFA

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

Credits:

Alex Smith at AHMM

“Being part of the lovely Sessions community is wonderful. What you've created is truly special! Thank you for all your hard work in preparing for the evening. We're delighted with the success of the session and found it immensely beneficial. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and loved having a full house!”

Fathom Architects

Collaborating with our programme supports the next generation of underrepresented architects and designers, giving them essential spaces for meaningful conversations.

Engaging with young people not only enhances employee development through management and teaching training but also boosts engagement, improves retention, and builds valuable professional networks.

It also demonstrates dedication to the local creative community, which is crucial for public-facing projects. More than anything else, supporting Narrative Practice demonstrates a long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion, driving collective social responsibility.

Young people need more than just opportunities; they need long-term, consistent support, and we need better systems for knowledge sharing to do this. This aligns with our belief that growth should have no defined endpoint.

Mentor Profiles

Dhruv Gulabchande

A British-Indian Architect and Associate Director at London-based practice HFM Architects with over ten years of experience. As current Associate Lecturer at Chelsea College of Arts, and as former Technical Tutor at Central Saint Martins, Design Studio Tutor at Uni. of Brighton, and Sheffield, he focuses on briefs related to culture primarily through the lens of storytelling. Alongside this he leads Narrative Practice, an architectural mentoring and research platform where his current body of research looks at the use of long-term mentoring to promote Architecture within schools to increase diversity.

Parisa Shahnooshi

An Iranian-British designer with an interest for poetry, Persian miniature painting and carpet weaving. This can be seen in her published Blueprint Magazine Masters project titled 'Vertical Gardens of Persia' speaking on the topic of histories and mythologies of Persia. With previous experience from AJ100 practice Formation, she currently works as an Architect for small Colchester-based practice SPD Studio primarily within the residential sector. Alongside practice, she is Postgraduate Mentor for Unit 12 at Uni. of Greenwich giving back to young designers through knowledge sharing and guidance.

Adam Tarasewicz

A qualified Architectural Designer currently leading his graphic design studio in London. He partners up with small, up-and-coming architectural studios that want to cohesively communicate their services to attract like-minded clients. Most recently, he has been collaborating with Jas Bhalla Works for which he developed a new visual language across physical and online channels. He is currently UG Studio Tutor role at Uni. of Sheffield and is a former Practice Mentor at the Royal College of Arts. As an Architectural Designer, he had gained extensive experience in housing projects at Levitt Bernstein and RCKa focusing on creating meaningful connections with the local communities, putting an emphasis on social value.

Elena Šležaitė

Elena is an ARB registered Lithuanian Architect currently working as a Design Manager at Knight Harwood and formerly at large international company Adamson Associates as well as DMWR Architects. She has extensive experience spanning multiple sectors including residential, hotel, speak-easy, student accommodation and more. She completed her undergraduate at the University of Manchester and postgraduate at the University of Greenwich, where she developed interests in sustainable and innovative architectural techniques, as well as ‘human-space’ relationships. Elena has held the position of Senior Mentor at Narrative Practice for over four years now closely contributing to the Sessions mentoring initiative supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

Joseph Goodwin

The London-based Head of Brand & Creative at UHA where he manages the creative output, brand identity, and global marketing strategy of the studio. His design approach is research-led, collaborative, and cross-industry with a focus on speculative futures and an alternative present. His unconventional approach often involves combining animation, curation, film, and photography to translate complex concepts spatially. Joseph has designed and curated exhibitions in London and Delhi and had his work exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024. His designs were recognised in multiple categories at the 2021 Dezeen Awards and his 'Fish Island Futures' exhibition was a featured event at Open House 2018. He has served as a visiting critic on undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the University of Greenwich and as a Y3 Design Tutor for the University of Huddersfield.

Yasmin Freeman

An Architect with more than six years of experience delivering high-end residential projects. In her former role she has been involved in the planning and construction phases of Listed Buildings at GK Architects. While studying for her Masters at the University of Greenwich, her thesis explored the physical and psychological divides between cities and their periphery and how to bridge the urban rural divide. Her brief formed parallels with the ongoing political landscape of Malta, in which her roots lie. With the Sessions initiative she engages with multiple students as an early-career educator as well as primary Lecture Series coordinator.

Support

Supporters

Architectural Practices

Institutions

Organisations

Sessions Mentee

Sessions in Practice

Arup Two

Credits:

Narrative Practice

HFM Architects

Credits:

Narrative Practice

Fathom Architects

Credits:

Narrative Practice

Arup One

Credits:

Narrative Practice

Wilkinson Eyre

Credits:

James Budgen at Wilkinson Eyre

Fletcher Priest Architects

Credits:

Narrative Practice and Jane Lam at LFA

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

Credits:

Alex Smith at AHMM

Fathom Architects

Collaborating with our programme supports the next generation of underrepresented architects and designers, giving them essential spaces for meaningful conversations.

Engaging with young people not only enhances employee development through management and teaching training but also boosts engagement, improves retention, and builds valuable professional networks.

It also demonstrates dedication to the local creative community, which is crucial for public-facing projects. More than anything else, supporting Narrative Practice demonstrates a long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion, driving collective social responsibility.

Young people need more than just opportunities; they need long-term, consistent support, and we need better systems for knowledge sharing to do this. This aligns with our belief that growth should have no defined endpoint.

Mentor Profiles

Dhruv Gulabchande

Parisa Shahnooshi

Adam Tarasewicz

Elena Šležaitė

Joseph Goodwin

Yasmin Freeman

Narrative Practice is an architectural mentoring and research platform with the primary objective of improving diversity and representation within the profession.Made by Adam Tarasewicz

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Narrative Practice

Narrative Practice is an architectural mentoring and research platform with the primary objective of improving diversity and representation within the profession.

Made by Adam Tarasewicz