James
Tait
Acting Stage Leader
biography
I am currently acting Stage Leader in Stage 1 at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, having commenced my time at MSA as a part-time studio tutor in 2019.
Outside of MSA, I have considerable experience as a practicing Architect, leading a broad spectrum of high-profile projects at some of the best architectural practices in the UK. Key award-winning projects include the Olympic Energy Centres, London (2012); City of Glasgow College (2016) and Hinshelwood Social Housing (2019) both in Glasgow. I have also previously set up my own architectural practice working on a small number of projects at the intersection of design, research, and community engagement.
In parallel with this experience as a practitioner, I have established a body of independent research in architecture as the author of ‘Entering Architectural Practice’ published by Routledge and ‘The Architecture Concept Book’ (Thames and Hudson) as well as in my role as a contributing writer to the Architects’ Journal and Building Design. Key research themes explored in these works relate to exploring the gap between architectural theory and architectural practice; ways in which to generate and develop design ideas; and the use of technology in making our architectural design processes and outputs more ecologically responsive.
As part of an effort to structure and focus my research activity, and to explore recent wider practice-based research interests in the application of digital technologies in the construction industry, I have recently commenced studies on a part-time basis in the PhD by Architectural Practice programme at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London.