SOCIAL INNOVATION IN DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE

Safia Qureshi (RIBA BScArch MArch) and Maxwell Mutanda (BScArch DipArch) are

Studio [D] Tale, a designers duo based out of London and Cape Town.

The two met as students at The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL London, where they discovered a mutual interest in using innovative design to address social and environmental issues. The Studio works cross borders between Architecture, Interiors, Urban Exploration, Product Innovation, Critical Design & Communications. By experimenting with new materials and innovation the Studio brings out the best in Design and Architecture. Every design process starts with a bespoke story told through rigorous research.

As a result, works by Studio [D] Tale have been commissioned by several private clients, museums including Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Copenhagen, shows including Chicago Architecture Biennial 2015 & London Design Festival 2015. The studio also collaborates closely with think tanks, policy makers, non-profits, corporates, design consultancies and architects. The Studio has previously exhibited at The Royal Academy London and Architecture-Studio Venice, with work published in The Architects' Journal and Young Architects in Africa. 

The Studio has also headed workshops and lectures at various Education Institutions including The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL, Central Saint Martins UAL, London Metropolitan University and Ravensbourne. The RIBA recently invited the Studio to join its network of professional mentors for students studying Architecture.