Professional Summary for Umi Baden-Powell
Professional Overview
Umi Baden-Powell is a multifaceted design professional with extensive experience in the fields of architecture, urban design, and community engagement. As the Founding Director of insider-outsider, she leverages her diverse background to drive innovative, equitable approaches to city-making and placemaking.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Founding Director of insider-outsider, Umi Baden-Powell is responsible for leading the organization's efforts to rethink traditional design practices and center the voices of marginalized communities. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of community-led design projects, acting as a bridge between local stakeholders and design professionals.
Career Progression
Umi's career trajectory has been marked by a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and socially conscious design. Prior to her current role, she held positions as an Associate Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London and Central Saint Martins, University of The Arts London, where she shared her expertise in place-shaping and community-led design. She has also served as a Design Associate at the Design Council, a Co-Founder and Co-Chair of DECOSM [decolonise] city-making, and an Associate at PUBLIC PRACTICE, where she gained valuable experience in local government engagement.
Academic Background
Umi holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice RIBA Part III in Architecture with Distinction from the Architectural Association, as well as an MArch RIBA Part II in Architecture from the Royal College of Art. She has also completed studies in fine art, film, video, and new media, reflecting her multidisciplinary approach to design.
Areas of Expertise
Umi's areas of expertise include architectural design, urban planning, community engagement, and project management. She has a strong understanding of the intersection between design, social justice, and sustainable development, and is skilled in facilitating collaborative processes that empower marginalized communities.
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Umi has made significant contributions to the design and urban planning fields. She has led numerous community-driven projects that have resulted in tangible improvements to the built environment and the lives of local residents. Umi's work has been recognized through her involvement with organizations such as Black Females In Architecture and The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art.
Conclusion
Umi Baden-Powell is a visionary design professional who is committed to redefining traditional design practices and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. With her unique blend of technical expertise, community engagement skills, and social consciousness, she is poised to continue making a lasting impact on the way we design and build our cities.
