The Glasgow School of Art

Architecture Friday Lecture Series: The Index of Influence
Grace Choi Architects, 'Uncommon Architecture for the common good'

Introduction: Nick Walker

Grace’s work focuses on projects that can make a difference. Challenged by the social, ethical and economical imbalance around her, Grace left the comfort of a successful career trajectory and set up GraceChoiArchitecture. The North East based, design oriented small practice has developed a mix of work ranging from homes to community centres, social enterprises, food waste restaurant and projects for the homeless.

Grace graduated from the Mackintosh School of Architecture in 1999, winning the prestigious RIAS Sir Rowand Anderson Silver medal and the Charlie Cochrane silver medal. Following this Grace worked for several renowned practices in London, before working in Manchester for 10 years. Throughout her career, work has been highly acclaimed, winning national awards for social housing, galleries and museum design.

Alongside practice, Grace has taught at Manchester and Northumbria University, where she continues as a visiting reviewer. She was Director and Trustee of the Mustard Tree charity for 7 years, a charity for the homeless and marginalized in Manchester. She was the Jury Chair for the RIBA North East awards 2016 and is currently part of the RIBAJ editorial panel.

Grace also sits on the RIBA NE Council as the elected Equality, Diversity and Inclusion champion, leading the Change The Record campaign. Change The Record has become a valuable platform for discussion, challenge and understanding on critical ED& I issues impacting architectural practice and education.

This lecture series is dedicated to Mark Baines, and draws on Mark’s extensive influence from over 30 years teaching at the Mac, moving from the local to the global, from the micro to the macro, always rooted in an ethical architectural response to context.