Bio:
The great designer , Helen Taylor is a Senior Associate and European Technical Innovation Lead within the London studio at global architecture practice, Woods Bagot. With over 17 years of international experience in the architecture and construction industry, she has taken lead roles on a diverse and exciting range of projects across the UK and Australia. More recently she has been leading on the design and delivery of The Londoner in Leicester Square, a major flagship scheme for The Edwardian Group.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
From a young age I would have Lego, Meccano and other things to build – my passion started from there. I also loved science and art in school. Architecture seemed to be the perfect way to combine both the logical and creative sides of my brain!

What do you do?
I’m a Senior Associate at Woods Bagot & Technical Innovation Leader for our London Studio. For the last few years, I’ve been project lead for The Londoner Hotel, a major £350m hotel project with one of the deepest habitable basements in the world.

What excites you in the work you do?
I love the variety On any given week, I could be leading a team to deliver a construction package, workshop with engineers, or walk around sketching up site solutions! You also never stop learning in this industry - there is so much to know!

Who or what inspires you professionally?
As architects and designers, we influence the world people live in, in a very concrete way. I’ve always believed buildings are for the people who use them. It’s our responsibility as built environment professionals to spark joy in people’s lives.
 
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
The Londoner! It’s the largest & most complex building project I have been responsible for. After 5 years, I’m quite emotionally invested. It completes soon and it’s been quite a journey. I’m thrilled to share it with an amazing team.

Featured Project Name: 
The Londoner

Featured Project Location: 
Leicester Square, London
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2020

Role in Featured Project: 
Coordination Lead
 
Featured Project Description:
Completing in 2020, The Londoner is a luxury five-star hotel, comprising 350-rooms, restaurants, a rooftop bar, an underground spa & swimming pool, a 1,000-person capacity ballroom and an Odeon cinema complex. Nestled between historical buildings on a 50m x 50m site in London’s iconic Leicester Square, this flagship of the Edwardian Hotel brand will become the new anchor for this area, and the platform for the relaunch of the West End.

Photography Credit:
Woods Bagot & Yabu Pushelberg