Temple Bar Trust’s Architectural Vision with Curator and Strategist, Lucy Bullivant
We spoke with the remarkable architectural curator and strategist Lucy Bullivant, a trustee of Temple Bar Trust and founder of Lucy Bullivant & Associates. Lucy’s background in writing, urban design, community engagement, and event curation gives her a unique perspective on how architecture can seamlessly merge culture, people, and place.
Shaping Space Through Many Mediums
Lucy reflects on her early experiences and explains how growing up as the daughter of architects sparked her fascination with cities and the built environment. Over time, she embraced diverse roles in architecture: writing, curating exhibitions, conducting design reviews, and shaping public spaces that respond meaningfully to local communities. She reminds us that a career in architecture isn’t confined to designing buildings in a studio – talents can be expressed through research, mentorship, curation, or civic projects as effectively as technical project work.
Nurturing Ideas Through Writing
When asked how writing became such an important tool for shaping architectural discourse, Lucy recalled how publishers approached her for in-depth publications on master planning. Initially daunted by the scale of a large book, she soon found the process to be both rigorous and rewarding—a blend of thorough research and personal reflection. According to Lucy, the best architectural writing is both accessible and deeply researched. She recommends capturing ideas in unexpected moments—while traveling or during daily routines—and then setting aside focused time to fact-check and refine those thoughts. This structured yet flexible approach allows content to resonate with both technical professionals and the wider public.
Curating Spaces and Experiences
Lucy also brings her expertise to curatorial work, designing architectural exhibitions and events that are both educational and entertaining. She explains that an exhibition should be clear and inviting, enabling visitors to move from one installation to the next with ease while still leaving room for exploration and unexpected discoveries. For Lucy, curating is a collaborative venture that involves gathering content and combining architectural drawings, diagrams, and narratives to bring a cohesive architectural story to life.
Promoting Architectural Education at Temple Bar Trust
As a trustee at Temple Bar Trust in London, Lucy has extended her mission of making architecture and design accessible to the public. The Trust is dedicated to connecting professionals, students, and community members eager to learn about architecture and the built environment. By organizing lectures, panel discussions, and special events that feature a diverse range of speakers—from educators to emerging designers—the Trust creates an inclusive conversation around architecture and urbanism. Funds raised by hiring out event spaces directly support educational programs, particularly those aimed at young people, paving the way for innovative projects and new collaborations.
Engaging Communities to Shape Their Environments
When asked how architects and planners can effectively engage the public in the design process, Lucy described her experience in organizing workshops where local residents collaborate on visions for public spaces. These sessions often include hands-on exercises—from brainstorming the use of vacant spaces to setting up renovated community centers. By involving residents directly, architects gain insights into what a place truly needs, insights that cannot be fully captured from a distance. Lucy encourages those interested in community-driven design to attend local forums, go on site visits, and engage with the people who use their local streets, plazas, and parks. A successful collaborative process requires ongoing dialogue to ensure that the final design reflects the community’s aspirations.
Advice and Inspiration for the Next Generation
For emerging architecture professionals and students, Lucy offers words of wisdom centered on risk-taking and collaboration. Whether it’s publishing a thought paper, curating an exhibition, or partnering with local authorities to breathe new life into an empty lot, impactful initiatives often start with a simple “what if?” She also stresses that writing, design reviews, and community engagement are interconnected pursuits—each informs and enriches the other. Lucy’s journey, spanning writing, curation, and public engagement, is a powerful reminder of the many paths available in the realm of architecture—each capable of generating significant social impact.
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