Elsie Owusu – Founding Chair of the Society of Black Architects

Elsie is a specialist conservation architect, interior and urban designer, and founder of her own architects practice. 

Waking up every morning within the masterplan of her favourite architect, John Nash, Elsie looks out the window onto Regents Park and writes 200 words about what she sees. Her home, which also doubles up as her studio, informs and influences her everyday life and work as she reflects on the design of her surroundings.

Elsie believes that the diversity of the people living in London should be reflected in the architecture industry – we’re not surprised to see women or black people in our city, so nor should we be in the industry. For change to occur, the image of the architect has to change, says Elsie, because it’s a 19th century image in a 21st century culture. 

Elsie has a wide expertise in transport and infrastructure, as well as the issues facing emerging economies. 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 Nigeria and Ghana, as well as collaborating on a number of projects with eminent artists such as Sir Peter Blake.

Elsie is currently serving on the boards of the Architectural Association and the UK Supreme Court Arts Trust. She is also Vice-Chair of the London School of Architecture.