Tessa Forde is an architectural designer and researcher interested in how architecture pedagogy and practice can can strengthen and build communities. She believes design should be a collaborative process accessible to all people and be driven by the people it serves.

Having worked in traditional architecture practice for the past five years in Aotearoa and Los Angeles, while co-organising the non-traditional Free School of Architecture alongside three other women, Tessa is now pursuing a PhD at Huri Te Ao - The School of Future Environments at AUT.

This research will explore subversive and radical pedagogy and practice in the spatial realm in Aotearoa, along side the establishment of some kind of platform that will promote, support and generate a dialogue around these ideas.

In her free time Tessa likes the beach, writing, taking (usually blurry) photos on old film cameras and exploring new places.

Please get in touch if you would like to collaborate or share ideas about community building and architecture.