Bartlett alumni to participate in Chicago Architecture Biennial

Bartlett School of Architecture Alumni Safia Qureshi (Bartlett 2006) and Maxwell Mutanda (Bartlett 2008) have been selected to participate in the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial, which opens in October 2015 and promises to be North America’s largest international survey of contemporary architecture. Qureshi and Mutanda’s practice, Studio [D] Tale, is one of 64 initial participants announced, which include BIG / Bjarke Ingels, Frida Escobedo, Tatiana Bilbao, Vo Trong Nghia and Weathers. Studio [D] Tale is one of three British practices being represented at the Biennial.

Qureshi and Mutanda met as students at The Bartlett School of Architecture, where they discovered a mutual interest in using innovative design to address social and environmental issues. They work between architecture, interiors, urban exploration, product innovation, critical design and communications and have been commissioned by several private clients and brands including Stella McCartney. This summer their project ‘Crossroads’, exploring low-cost sustainable solutions to the needs of marketplace traders in Harare, will be exhibited in The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Copenhagen’s 'Africa’ exhibition. The Studio has also previously exhibited at The Royal Academy London and Architecture-Studio Venice, with work published in Architects' Journal and Young Architects in Africa.

Image: Studio [D] Tale, Peponi House, Notting Hill, 2015

Chicago Architecture Biennial runs from 3 October 2015 to 3 January 2016