Tokie Laotan-Brown is a joint PhD scholar/researcher in Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage at the University of Nova Gorica and UniversitaIuav di Venezia, Italy. Born in Wurzburg, Germany to Nigerian parents.

 Tokie was inspired by the potential of making environmentally sensitive architecture accessible to mainstream Afro Europeans. Rather than just defaulting to techniques from Western technology and aesthetics, she intends to create a platform to produce active/passive integrated systems. The design solutions focus on function, style, significant cost-savings, and environmental sustainability in Europe, Africa and America.

She secured funding 2012 to develop further research in Neuro-Egronomics and Urban Design in Artena, Italy. Worked as a lead practitioner for clients from all over the world ranging from Mexico city, Mexico to Seville, Spain to Benin City, Lagos State, Nigeria to Galway, Ireland to include Local Authorities, Charities and Private individuals. Consultant for various architectural practices including the Lagos State Government. The size and approach varied- mostly historical. Worked for owners of large listed buildings including the first story building in Badagry, Lagos state, Nigeria.

 Tasks involved administering building contracts for major extension works to the building within a cartilage of the Listed Buildings to the design of new builds and preparations of various planning and Listed Building Consent submissions. Involved in the conservation scheme for Lagos State.

 Following an extensive research wrote the Historical Appraisal of the Benin Moat site.
Investigating on Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings Act (SPAIN and GERMANY) she recently went to Nigeria (June 2014) to work on a workshop bringing Profs from the Polytechnic of Milan and UN-Habitat. The workshop was titled Energy Consumption and Energy Efficiency in Informal Settlements in Lagos City; it was done in conjunction with the University of Lagos.

 Co-Researcher-Identifying the energy efficiency costs of owner- occupiers of African Diaspora living in Ireland 2012-2014: Researcher- THE PRESERVATION OF AFRICAN VERNACULAR SETTLEMENTS IN DISASTER PRONE AREAS PLAGUED WITH FLOODING: IYA, BENIN MOAT AND ENVIRONS (Benin City, Nigeria) 2013: Principal Researcher-African Vernacular Architecture: Predated to 1980 2008: Field Assistant- Pilot Modelling Flood Management Project in the coastal regions in Lekki Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. Adebiyi & Co. Surveyors Ltd

With a background in Sustainable Construction and Architectural Technology, Tokie travels extensively to Africa, Central and North America, and Central and Eastern Europe to study how environmentally sensitive homes and communities are affected during pre and post occupancy periods. Her research interests are in: 

Sustainable Constructions; African Bioclimatic Architecture; Fractal Spatial Patterns; African-Irish Urban Dynamics; Bottom-up Self-Organizations; Women & Cultural Economics; African Landscapes and Settlements

Tokie is a member of the Black Designers Showcase in America (BIDS), Construction Industry of Builders (CIOB) in Ireland and UK-Green Building Council,GRADEI, Associate Member of the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism, International Association of World Heritage Professionals, ACIAT and Gold Member Black British Academics

PUBLICATIONS: BOOKS & RESEARCH ARTICLES 2013: Laotan-Brown, T. Recession Buster: 10 Steps to Managing Your Household Budgets. (Amazon Books) 2013: Laotan-Brown, T. Improving Educational Architectural Studies on the Preservation and Maintenance of African Heritage Sites,HU-BTU First International Conference on Heritage Conservation and Site Management: Heritage Tourism: Prospects and Challenges” From 8th to 11th December 2013 in Luxor, Egypt 2014: Laotan-Brown, T. African Green Design Solutions As Vernacular Bioclimatic Architecture. Proceedings of 8th Windsor Conference: Counting the Cost of Comfort in a changing world. Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, UK, 10-13 April 2014. London: Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings

Tokie also had the chance to open a casting agency for kids in Galway city in 2002 for three years. She trained kids aged 4 to 16 in Deportment and Modelling. Classes and Fashion shows were organised for the kids, clothing shops used this avenue to advertise their collections for the season. The agency later went on the road to various schools in Ireland for three years.

 As a project Co-ordinator in Galway city, She has had to work on interesting projects and meet interesting people. As an independent candidate for the local elections in June 2004, it was every bit as interesting.

2005: Mayoral Awards Nominee, Galway City Council 2006: Portrait commissioned along with 11 other women for a Calendar as one of the most influential women in Galway, Ireland. An Image Awards Nominee in 2007, 2012: 100 Most Influential Africans in Ireland 2014: Double Awards Nominee, Women4Africa, May 2014 London, UK

She has also worked on various housing projects with the Galway city council as a spatial policy committee member from 2004 to 2007.

She now represents Nigeria and Ireland on the international board of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and on The ICOMOS-IFLA International  Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes. (ISCCL)

 Tokie is the founder and CEO of 3 companies, Merging Ecologies , Women Fund Homes (USA, UK and Ireland) and TLB House of Creations, which she uses to work on historical properties, residential properties and developing finance schemes that are alternate to traditional mortgage schemes, in the US and UK.

Tokie currently resides with her husband and 3 kids in Galway Ireland and Venice, Italy.