BFA co-directors
BFA was established in 2018 and is currently co-directed by Akua Danso, Neba Sere and Selasi Setufe. Formed following a chance meeting at an architecture event, BFA was initiated in response to the need of visibility for black women in architecture and the built environment. Since BFA’s inception, the BFA co-directors have been working with a team of volunteers, advisors and supporters who have been integral to the journey of the organisation so far.
We believe in the power of black and mixed heritage women and non-binary people coming together to provide a space to uplift each other and access inclusive and equitable creative opportunities.
SELASI SETUFE
Co-director
Selasi Setufe MBE currently works for Be First Regeneration in her home Borough of Barking and Dagenham. As a Senior Architect and Innovative Sites Manager at Be First, she champions high quality design across a variety of projects ranging from large-scale masterplans to facilitating innovative solutions on small sites.
Prior to this role and as a means of seeking out alternative modes of practice, Selasi founded Crystal Design Studios shortly after completing her MArch and worked with Elsie Owusu Architects Ltd as a Lead Project Designer till 2019.
Selasi was a trustee at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) where she served as Co-Vice President for Students and Associates and helped establish RIBA Future Architects. More recently she was a trustee of Street Space CIC, was Chair of the NLA’s Next Gen Sounding Board and was also a co-host of the Open City podcast.
Selasi is interested in exploring socially responsive approaches to design, architecture and placemaking, with particular focus on cultural and environmental issues. She is passionate about challenging the status quo and creating opportunities for the disenfranchised to thrive.
Selasi was awarded an MBE for her services to diversity in architecture in the Queen’s 2022 New Year’s Honours.
@selasi_setufe
NEBA SERE
Co-director
Neba Sere is a Spatial Practitioner and Lecturer as well as Director of Decolonising and Decarbonising at the Bartlett, UCL.
She is a graduate of RWTH Aachen University & Central Saint Martins.
She is co-lead of decosm collective working to decolonise city-making.
She was previously a Senior Project Officer within the GLA’s Regeneration team, worked at Penoyre & Prasad Architects managing stakeholder engagement on large scale civic master plans such as the Institute of Education, and led on design & construction projects with young people at Build Up Foundation. She now is a Trustee of Build Up Foundation.
She was formally one of six young trustees of the Architecture Foundation.
Her interest lies in understanding the process of decolonising the architecture profession and thus the built environment, specifically looking at how citizen-led initiatives can have a long term impact on the spaces we inhabit. Neba is also passionate about involving young communities in the regeneration process of their city through advocacy and outreach.
@nebasere
Akua Danso
Co-director
Akua Danso is a registered Architect and most recently worked at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris in London. She is a graduate of the Universities of Kent, Liverpool & London Metropolitan University. Prior to joining AHMM, Akua was at HUT Architecture designing and delivering retrofits of commercial spaces and the concept to technical design of private housing projects. Akua had gained significant experience in large-scale residential developments at Scott Brownrigg’s Design Delivery Unit, working on the West End Green Berkeley Homes estate.
Akua is also engaged in honing her skills with project delivery and management whilst maintaining her passion for interior design, residential housing, the arts and culture.
She seeks to further explore the power of interdisciplinary practice where different collaborations in design and improving existing living spaces can positively impact local communities.
Within BFA, Akua has a particular interest in advocacy and providing support for BFA student/graduate members.
@akuaadanso