Redefining education and communication for architects

Janelle Fenwick hasn’t always been involved in the world of architecture – she studied film and television at university before “somehow” finding herself in Australia working in insurance. Eventually though, she found herself in the tech sector when she joined Productspec, a product database platform and specification writing platform for architects and designers.

“I worked for them for 13 years,” says Janelle. “We used to create events where we would bring international speakers, international architects and designers out to New Zealand and then create an event for the architects and designers here to come together.”

Her involvement in this side of the industry allowed Janelle to see a gap between product suppliers being able to convey how to use the building products in plans and how to get them specified.

“So that’s where Teulo was born.”

Perhaps drawing on her studies in film and television, Janelle created the platform in 2019 to offer events in a digital format: “People are time poor, they can’t get to every physical event anymore.”

Providing human connection in a digital world, Teulo challenges the status quo around CPD/ CEU points and accreditation as a first-of-its-kind platform that offers NZ Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) and LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner) accredited content – valuable for architects in New Zealand (and globally) who are required to complete a certain amount of professional development each year to retain their architectural licence.

“Every bit of content on the site has a certain number of CPD points allocated to it. An architect can set up their profile on Teulo and any events they do on the platform will automatically get recorded to their profile,” Janelle explains. “We then update NZRAB, for example, and it keeps everything easy for architects to record their learning that they have done.”

Industry professionals can access the CPD-accredited content – including videos, webinars, podcasts and presentations – to upskill as they need.

“We also do a series at Teulo called the Expert Series where we actually go and visit different architects and go through the project from inception to completion. We film that project being built along the way, and this definitely incorporates those skills from back in the day to now create really good webinar content and event content,” shares Janelle.

“When I first came out with the idea and launched it to the industry, we did a soft launch before the platform was actually live, and that was cool. We had a big event and it was great to have all of the industry, whom I already knew from my previous role at Productspec. It was a year later that we launched the CPD management platform.”

Another highlight for Janelle has been meeting and collaborating with architects and designers from all over the world, with Teulo now used by architects in 63 countries: “I’ve met hundreds and hundreds from across the globe, like from Nigeria, Spain, London – from huge architecture firms. It gets me excited meeting new people.”

Teulo certainly is an innovative platform that connects professionals and provides communication between those in the industry, which also incorporates Janelle’s love for creativity. An abstract artist, she was first inspired by architecture while in New York for an art exhibition she was displaying her work in – fascinated by its potential.

“Architecture is so much bigger than you. It’s hard to explain how a building can evoke such feelings inside you,” she says. “When I see an amazing architectural structure, I think about how another human designed this and thought about the surrounding area and how people would experience it.

“How do they know the impact their designs and buildings will have on others? It’s foresight, it’s creativity.”

Janelle hopes that Teulo will help support this creativity and the future of architecture in Aotearoa.

“We have so many talented architects here in New Zealand, it’s very exciting. They’re very innovative and passionate about climate change, sustainable design and longevity of design, so I think we will see a lot more of that coming out over the coming years.

“Today my creativity is dealing with creatives and showcasing their architectural work to other architects and designers so that they get inspired and innovative.

“I love that ArchiPro shares the same values as Teulo, and I’m excited to collaborate as the education partner for the ArchiPro Commercial Expo.”

Words by Cassie Birrer

ArchiPro is working with Teulo as our education partner for the ArchiPro Commercial Expo taking place at Auckland's Shed 10 on November 1st and 2nd, 2022. By attending the ArchiPro Commercial Expo, attendees will be eligible to claim up to 130 CPD points to help fulfil their learning requirements, thanks to Teulo.