Bio:

Renee Powell-Hines is an artist, aspiring architect and the current Executive Director of the Black Architects &  Interior Designers Association. She received her M.Arch from the University of Toronto. Renee hopes to see the world of architecture become more inclusive as she moves forward in her career, and is currently working towards that by contributing her time to supporting young Black designers, and dedicating effort to meaningful community building.​

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

I was introduced to architecture by my design instructor in high school. I entered into this field having pivoted from the arts, deciding that architecture could help me to address my passion to provide space for those who are societally-underserved.

 

What do you do?

I am the Executive Director of BAIDA, a non-profit that supports Black design practitioners and inspires Black youth to pursue careers in design. I am also the Festival Coordinator for DesignTO which keeps me connected to my practice in the arts.

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What excites you in the work you do?

My practice is about creating space. My advocacy work empowers me to create intangible space for Black voices to be heard and understood, and my design practice allows me to imagine tangible spaces that center culture and community.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

 I’m deeply inspired by practitioners who center community engagement and representation in practice. Taking the extra step to reflect a community’s heritage while supporting their current needs through design is something I find truly spectacular.

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What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

My proudest accomplishment is leading the BAIDA Executive team. Providing Black youth with access to historically-exclusionary spaces and connecting Black professionals with a network of like-minded creatives has benefited my practice and well-being.

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Featured Project Name: 

faBRICK: Fabric-Formed Clay Modules aided by Robotic Manipulation

 

Featured Project Location: 

Toronto, ON

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2025

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Role in Featured Project: 

Sole Designer and Fabricator

 

Featured Project Description:

“faBRICK” aims to create a construction module that finds its form through the use of a reusable, low-carbon mould; when aggregated, the bricks combine into several self-supporting configurations. The jig developed adds complexity to each brick fabricated by producing unique and intricate geometry that has a programmable capacity. This project was a proof of concept developed when questioning contemporary manufacturing processes and their impact on our environment.

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Photography Credit:

Renee Powell-Hines