Gayle Appleyard

Gayle is an architect and founding Director of GAGARIN Studio, a RIBA chartered practice based in Yorkshire.  She's an advocate for regional design ambition particularly in towns and rural communities in the North of England; recognising the need for more investment in regional economies, engagement with local communities and the use of local skill and expertise in the production of places and spaces. Her research and practice explore the creative and sustainable re-use of existing buildings with over 25 years experience of adapting buildings to include historic mills, theatre spaces, churches and factories. More recently Gayle was the lead for a new contemporary country house and estate steering the project through national design review ‚Äì an exemplar project and the first 'Para 79' home in West Yorkshire. Gayle has taught extensively for a number of UK schools of architecture and continues her role as an academic advisor and external examiner. She's a graduate of the Royal College of Art and has worked for award-winning, international architecture and design practices. She has been a Design Council BEE since 2015 and more recently a juror for the RIBA Awards.