A designer and interior architect, Ojuolape was raised in Ennis, County Clare and has studied in Ireland, Milan and London. She says her mixed background strongly influences how she works, as she incorporates elements of her culture and heritage into her aesthetic. She created the interiors ofThe Africa Centre at its new home in Southwark, London, and is currently working on her own product line as well as other projects.
What inspires you? Sense of place, culture, people, travel. My studies in Milan opened my eyes to an appreciation of beauty and refinement in design.
How would you describe your aesthetic? Considered and refined, beauty and balance rooted in heritage and culture. I believe function, purpose, form and beauty are all intertwined; one cannot work without the others.
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What’s the best part of the design process for you? I love the ideation process and initial-concept designs. Being able to translate an idea and vision successfully is always so exciting, and I absolutely love being on site, seeing my creations come to life and learning through collaboration.
How did you approach the Africa Centre project? It was serendipitous and, in hindsight, was always meant to be. Marrying my love of travel around the continent with my experience working in commercial F&B [food and beverage] design, it was an important responsibility. The concept was centred around the unifiers that make the African continent special and unique, which I concluded centred around handmade, tactile and crafted objects. This idea governed all the materials and finishes in the space.
We showcased designers from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and more – some of whom have never had their work visible in London. We also worked with John Alfredo Harris, a diasporan maker based in Hastings, for all the furniture.
And the project you did in Brighton? It was a 50-bed hotel with a restaurant and co-working space facing the beach. Our approach was to translate the seaside elements of Brighton alongside the free-spirited nature of the city. We had a strong focus on sourcing antiques, upcycling and working with local artists to bring the concept to life. I also had an unusual opportunity to paint the building’s façade.
What are you working on next? I have been working on concept design for a café based in London, interiors for a wellness brand, and pitching for a number of projects.
Tell us about the new products you are designing ? ‘Odò’ is my first capsule collection, and it includes vases, vessels and plant pots. It is inspired by my Nigerian heritage, where arts and crafts are richly celebrated. ‘Odó’ is a Yoruba word with a double meaning. It means ‘mortar’ (a type of earthenware vessel used by women in the Yoruba culture) but also ‘stream’, which is an integral part of the Yoruba woman’s everyday bathing and household rituals. tolaojuolape.com
