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Stephanie is an urban designer, architect and cofounder of Urban Symbiotics, an award winning insight and research-led multidisciplinary design practice based in London that focuses on delivering social value and inclusive, equitable and progressive communities through a variety of project types and scales. She is currently an independent design advisor for various community groups, a member of Black Females in Architecture and was celebrated as a 'force for change' alongside Baroness Lawrence in Vogue's seminal September 2019 issue. Stephanie is a Waltham Forest resident.
Alex Ely
Alex is an architect and town planner and founder of award-winning architectural practice Mæ. The practice, which designed the Warner Estate inspired housing scheme Hammond Court for Waltham Forest, has an international reputation for innovation and excellence and was awarded the 2023 RIBA Stirling Prize. Alex has been responsible for award winning schemes from masterplans to cultural buildings, housing to health care as well as policy such as for the Mayor of London’s Housing Design Guide and best practice publications for CABE. Alex is a former Mayor's Design Advocate, a member of the GLA’s and LLDC’s Review Panels and the RIBA's Housing Policy Group.
Lara Kinneir
Lara is a designer who trained in architecture and spatial design. She has worked in academia, city regeneration, government policy, design studios, think tanks and global organisations that are focused on the bettering of people and planetary life. Lara’s research focuses on creating new interdisciplinary evidence bases to demonstrate the impact that well designed spaces can have on social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing. Lara is an Associate Professor at the London Interdisciplinary School, which fosters new approaches to resolving complex and interconnected real-world problems, is Lab Director at the London School of Architecture and consults for a range of organisations from grassroots to governments.
Nisha Kurian
Nisha is an architect, urbanist and Regeneration Manager at Lewisham Council and specialises in enabling community-focused, cultural and workspace projects. Nisha previously worked at architectural practice We Made That, where she led on a number of design-led schemes in Waltham Forest. She also pioneered RE¬-SET-GO, a practical programme designed to diversify the architectural industry. Nisha is a member of the LLDC Quality Review Panel, Brent Quality Review Panel and HS2 Independent Design Panel.
Tori Allison-Powell
Tori is a 20 year old Waltham Forest resident and works for the Council as a YIAG (Youth Independent Advisory Group) member. The YIAG are young people who act as youth consultants and aim to keep the streets safe through the Streetbase programme - Tori has been a part of the group for 5 years. Alongside this Tori has had an interest in design from an early age leading her to choose to study Architecture at university. Tori was a Youth Judge for the 2021 Waltham Forest Design Awards and is excited to join the panel once more. You can read more about the Young Advisors here.
Stephanie Edwards
Stephanie is an urban designer, architect and cofounder of Urban Symbiotics, an award winning insight and research-led multidisciplinary design practice based in London that focuses on delivering social value and inclusive, equitable and progressive communities through a variety of project types and scales. She is currently an independent design advisor for various community groups, a member of Black Females in Architecture and was celebrated as a 'force for change' alongside Baroness Lawrence in Vogue's seminal September 2019 issue. Stephanie is a Waltham Forest resident.
Alex Ely
Alex is an architect and town planner and founder of award-winning architectural practice Mæ. The practice, which designed the Warner Estate inspired housing scheme Hammond Court for Waltham Forest, has an international reputation for innovation and excellence and was awarded the 2023 RIBA Stirling Prize. Alex has been responsible for award winning schemes from masterplans to cultural buildings, housing to health care as well as policy such as for the Mayor of London’s Housing Design Guide and best practice publications for CABE. Alex is a former Mayor's Design Advocate, a member of the GLA’s and LLDC’s Review Panels and the RIBA's Housing Policy Group.
Lara Kinneir
Lara is a designer who trained in architecture and spatial design. She has worked in academia, city regeneration, government policy, design studios, think tanks and global organisations that are focused on the bettering of people and planetary life. Lara’s research focuses on creating new interdisciplinary evidence bases to demonstrate the impact that well designed spaces can have on social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing. Lara is an Associate Professor at the London Interdisciplinary School, which fosters new approaches to resolving complex and interconnected real-world problems, is Lab Director at the London School of Architecture and consults for a range of organisations from grassroots to governments.
Nisha Kurian
Nisha is an architect, urbanist and Regeneration Manager at Lewisham Council and specialises in enabling community-focused, cultural and workspace projects. Nisha previously worked at architectural practice We Made That, where she led on a number of design-led schemes in Waltham Forest. She also pioneered RE¬-SET-GO, a practical programme designed to diversify the architectural industry. Nisha is a member of the LLDC Quality Review Panel, Brent Quality Review Panel and HS2 Independent Design Panel.
Tori Allison-Powell
Tori is a 20 year old Waltham Forest resident and works for the Council as a YIAG (Youth Independent Advisory Group) member. The YIAG are young people who act as youth consultants and aim to keep the streets safe through the Streetbase programme - Tori has been a part of the group for 5 years. Alongside this Tori has had an interest in design from an early age leading her to choose to study Architecture at university. Tori was a Youth Judge for the 2021 Waltham Forest Design Awards and is excited to join the panel once more. You can read more about the Young Advisors here.
