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J. Sakyi-Ansah, Race in Architectural Education: Decolonising the Curriculum, Oxford Brookes University School of Architecture, UK, October 2021. Photo credit: Oxford Brookes University
Juliet Sakyi‑Ansah, ARB, RIBA, is the founder of Studio OASA, a values‑led architectural practice working at the nexus of design, research, and community. With over twenty years of experience, she combines professional practice, research, pedagogy, and advocacy across academic, civic, and institutional environments. Juliet specialises in the revitalisation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, as well as the conceptualisation of new builds for underused sites.
Juliet is completing a three-year faculty‑funded PhD at Oxford Brookes University, where her research investigates how Building Information Modelling (BIM) can facilitate meaningful community participation in settlement upgrading. She holds a BA (Hons) and MArch from the University of Sheffield School of Architecture, the Professional Practice Examination (PPE) through the Architects Registration Council of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Architects, and RIBA Part 3 from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.
Professional Practice
Juliet has worked in architectural practices in Bristol, Accra, and Birmingham, contributing to and leading projects across residential, cultural, educational, financial, office, leisure, and hospitality sectors. Through this experience, and her work with both professional and local communities, she has cultivated a design approach that centres on people, place identity, and the social and cultural processes that inform the production of the built environment.
Architectural Discourse and Advocacy
Juliet’s commitment to architectural discourse began in 2009 when she co‑conceived and co‑organised the Sheffield School of Architecture’s student‑led theory forum on Ecology, an international platform for developing shared architectural language around ecological thinking.
She continued this work in 2012 by coordinating The Production of Place conference at the University of East London, exploring how social, economic, and political forces inform the built environment. In 2019, she launched Narratives Issue 01 in London, a publication amplifying emerging and diverse voices and perspectives within the built environment.
Juliet is the founder of The Architects' Project® and Black in Architecture®, initiatives advancing equity, inclusivity, and innovation in the built environment. Through The Architects’ Project, she activated /tap Exchange, a platform fostering dialogue on pressing social and environmental issues. Notable programmes include:
Remaking Agbogbloshie with Agbogbloshie Makerspace Platform (2014)
Tapping Local Resources for Sustainable Development with the Architects Registration Council of Ghana (2014)
Transcultural Praxis with London Metropolitan University (2015)
From Memory Comes Place with The Africa Centre, London (2017)
Race in Architectural Education: Decolonising the Curriculum Symposium (2021)
Teaching and Academic Engagement
Juliet co‑conceived and co‑ordinated Race in Architectural Education: Decolonising the Curriculum (2021–22) in collaboration with Oxford Brookes University’s Place, Culture, and Identity research group, who hosted the programme. A discipline‑wide initiative, it engaged with key issues in architectural education and inclusive curriculum practices.
She lectures on People, Leadership, and Organisations for the MSc Project Management programme at Oxford Brookes University. She has also taught on the final‑year Studio (Design) module for the BA (Hons) Architecture programme at the University of Liverpool School of Architecture and at Birmingham City University.
Community and Social Practice
As a Time Rebel at CoLab Dudley (2021), Juliet developed her concept of Learn/Play, exploring how learning and play can be integrated into underutilised community spaces. In 2023, she collaborated with social art practice Workshop24 to co‑facilitate the Radio Public Library project in Brierley Hill, supporting community engagement through participatory social art.
Juliet's Mission
Transformative architecture for meaningful impact.
Career Overview
2019–2025: Entrepreneurship, Research, Advocacy and Teaching
ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Founder & Lead — Studio OASA, Birmingham
Selected Projects:
Residential Remodel & Extension, Birmingham - Conceptual and technical design for the transformation of a three‑bedroom house
Commercial Interior Remodel & Fit‑Out, Birmingham - Adaptive reuse of a vacant property into offices and café reconfiguration
New‑Build Four‑Bedroom Residence, Ho (Ghana) - Bespoke private home
TEACHING
Design Studio Tutor - BA Architecture (Third Year)
Studio Themes:
BA3 Practice NORTH - Youth Zone, Museum of Water Speed, College of Art & Design, Winery (University of Liverpool)
Sustainability - Death and Shopping (Birmingham City University)
Associate Lecturer
Module:
People, Leadership & Organisations, MSc Project Management (Oxford Brookes University)
CARE, COMMUNITY & SOCIAL PRACTICE
Collaborating Facilitator - Radio Public Library, Workshop24, Brierley Hill
Founder & Social Practice Lead - Learn/Play with Colab Dudley, Dudley
Primary Carer - Integrated, ongoing parental caregiving
Founder & Lead - The Architects’ Project & Black in Architecture
Selected Projects:
Narratives Issue 01 - Conceptualisation, editorial curation, and launch
Emerging Race Equity Charter - Draft development and proposal with the Place, Culture & Identity research group (Oxford Brookes University)
EDUCATION & RESEARCH
Academic Research - Architecture & Built Environment, Oxford Brookes University
PhD Project:
BIM-based Community Capacity Building for Participation in Settlement Upgrading, Accra
HIGHLIGHTS
Restorative Collaboration - Race in Architectural Education: Decolonising the Curriculum with Oxford Brookes University
2013–2018: Practice, Leadership, Research, Advocacy and Teaching
ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Project Architect, Birmingham
Practice Size & Specialism: A specialised small practice dedicated to architecture and interior design for the leisure and hospitality sectors
Project Experience:
Leisure & Hospitality – Bars, cafes, and restaurants
Entertainment & Cinemas – Fit-outs, cinema concepts, theatre upgrades, and immersive viewing spaces
Fitness & Sports Facilities – Gym modernisations, and sports centre upgrades
Gaming & Social Venues – Bingo halls, gaming lounges, and interactive recreation hubs
Bowling & Recreational Spaces – Bowling centres, multi-use leisure venues, and family entertainment zones
Nightlife & Club Spaces – Nightclubs and event spaces
Leisure Resort Accommodation – Resort developments, lodgings and hospitality spaces
Key Projects:
Odeon Islington Square Cinema Fit-Out Design - Conceptual and technical design for the Lounge Islington interior fit-out, London
Proposed Cinema Complex - New-build cinema design on vacant plot, Dumfries
Cheltenham Leisure Extension & Refurbishment - Leisure centre expansion and amenities upgrade, Cheltenham
South Wansdyke Sports Centre Refurbishment & Gym Extension - New-build gym addition and facility upgrade, Midsomer Norton
Architectural Services:
New-Build Design – Structural expansions and external installations
Interior Fit-Outs – Spatial optimisation and fit-out solutions
Renovations & Refurbishments – Upgrading, restoring and reconfiguring existing structures
Facility Expansion & Redevelopment – Adaptive reuse and leisure facility transformations
Project Locations:
England - Birmingham, Cheltenham, London, Middleton, Midsomer Norton and Salt Ayre
Scotland - Braehead, Dumfries, Dunfermline and Ravenscraig
Wales - Colwyn Bay, Mold, Parc Bryn Bach, Pontypool and Rhyll.
Project Architect, Accra
Practice Size & Specialism: A medium-sized architectural practice specialising in residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments
Project Experience:
Commercial & Financial Institutions – High-rise commercial developments, banking & finance hubs, corporate office projects
Mixed-Use & Corporate Development - Corporate complexes, multi-floor commercial units, penthouse apartments
Residential Developments - Luxury townhouses, mid-scale apartments, high-rise residential buildings, bespoke private residences
Key Projects:
Ayarna Vistas Residential Development - 14no. new-build luxury homes including detached, semi-detached and multi-unit residential complex, Accra (Project Architect)
Major Financial Institution Headquarters - Retrofit and remodel of existing 6-storey office building with proposed 6-storey new-build office facility, Accra (Project Architect)
Major Bank Headquarters - Proposed 13-floor commercial fit-out within an incomplete structure for occupancy, Accra (Contributing Architect)
Architectural Services:
New-Build Development – Architectural design and construction for vacant sites and redeveloped properties
Adaptive Reuse, Renovations, Refurbishment & Conversions – Upgrading, repurposing, restoring, and altering existing or incomplete structures
Interior Remodelling and Fit-Outs – Space optimisation and modernisation for functionality and occupancy readiness
Façade & Exterior Design – Enhancing architectural identity through aesthetic refinements and strategic rebranding
Project Locations:
Ghana - Accra, Aburi, Tema, Kumasi & Ho
Freelance Architectural Designer, Accra
Key Projects:
Proposed 5-Storey Mixed-Use Development - New-build office units, ground floor retail units and top floor apartments, Accra
Proposed 2-Storey New-Build Primary School, Akosombo
TEACHING
BA Architecture, Birmingham City University
First-Year Design Studio - Visiting Tutor
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL PRACTICE
Founder & Lead, The Architects' Project
Key Workshop:
Collaborating Partner - Remaking Agbogbloshie (Accra)
EDUCATION
Professional Practice Course & Examination - RIBA Part 3
Architectural Association School of Architecture, London
Professional Practice Examination - PPE
Architects Registration Council of Ghana & Ghana Institute of Architects, Accra
MATERNITY LEAVE
Reflection: Vision strengthening & career evolution
2007–2012: Advanced Education and Professional Training
ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Architectural Assistant - Bristol
Practice Size & Specialism: A small architectural practice specialising in bespoke residential developments
Project Experience & Services:
Residential Developments - Bespoke residences, multi-unit residential complexes, estate developments
New-Build Architectural Design - Concept design for ground-up residential projects
Retro-Fitting & Renovation – Modernising & restoring existing structures
Adaptive Reuse & Conversion – Repurposing existing buildings for new uses
Extensions & Adaptive Modifications – Structural expansions & redesigns
Key Project:
Bespoke Residence Barn Conversion, Wickwar
Freelance Architectural Designer
Key Bespoke Private Project:
Mama’s Compound House – New-build private residence, Oti Region, Ghana
Technical Designer (HVAC) - Bristol
Specialist Contractor Experience
EDUCATION
MArch Architecture - RIBA Part 2, University of Sheffield
Key Design Projects:
Self-Organised Youth Parliament, Rurban: A New Urban Condition - Proposed new-build youth zone model for derelict & vacant land, Colombes, Paris
Co-Living, Repairing the Tissue of the City, Parkhill, Sheffield
CAREER BREAK
Six-month self-directed place-based learning, Ghana
2000–2006: Foundation Education and Early Training
ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Architectural Assistant - Bristol
Practice Size & Specialism: A medium-sized architectural practice specialising in mixed-use, regeneration, masterplanning, historic building conservation, commercial, residential, institutional, arts, cultural, and community spaces
Project Experience:
Commercial, Institutional & Mixed-Use Development - Corporate offices, retail units, public infrastructure, and hospitality
Residential & Community Housing – Multi-unit estates, senior living, and affordable housing developments
Cultural & Arts Spaces - Visitor centres, arts hubs, and heritage sites
Education & Public Facilities - Secondary school sports facilities and university faculty spaces
Key Projects :
John Foster’s Almshouses – New-build senior living complex with 18no. self-contained flats with integrated healthcare facilities, Henbury
Monks Park Secondary School - Sports Hall Extension and Refurbishment, Bristol
Faculty of Art, Media & Design, University of the West of England - Proposed Refurbishment, Bristol
Architectural Services:
New-Build Developments, Adaptive Reuse, Renovation and Interior Fit-Outs
Project Locations:
England - Bristol, Henbury and Monmouthshire
EDUCATION
BA Architecture - RIBA Part 1, University of Sheffield
Key Design Projects:
Health & Wellbeing Centre, Urban Renaissance - New-build on vacant plot of land Doncaster
Field Research & Educational Facility with Residency Facility - Conversion of existing derelict river-side barn, Hathersage
A-Levels - Pendeford High School & Sixth Form, Wolverhampton
Fine Art
Media Studies
ICT (Information and Communications Technology)
AS-LeveL: Design
CAREER BREAK
Six-month self-directed place-based learning and field research, South and Central America
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