Material Choices: Making carbon count

RIBA

Join an expert panel to explore the best strategies for decarbonising architecture and the built environment

Royal Institute of British Architects

RIBA’s current exhibition <a href="https://www.architecture.com/explore-architecture/exhibitions/Long-Life-Low-Energy" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Long Life, Low Energy: Designing for a Circular Economy</a> shows how contemporary practice is proposing ways to create net zero architecture for the future. As part of the exhibition's public programme, a series of three panel events will bring the conversation out of the gallery, each focusing on a different aspect of sustainability in architecture.For the second event in the Long Life, Low Energy lecture series, we will discuss the specification of materials, considering the best strategies for decarbonising architecture and the built environment, while also maximising the potential for future reuse. How can architects best use their often-limited resources to find the most sustainable solutions and how can we keep track of materials throughout their lifespan? Chaired by architect, academic and environmental activist <a href="https://bakerbrown.studio/about/people/duncan-baker-brown" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Duncan Baker Brown</a>, the event will bring together a range of voices from across the built environment sector, each offering their own perspectives and insights: <ul><li>Louisa Bowles, Sustainability Lead, <a href="https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Hawkins\Brown</a> </li><li>Steve Gilchrist, Project Director,<a href="https://www.grosvenor.com/property/property-uk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> Grosvenor Property UK</a><a href="https://www.grosvenor.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> </a></li><li>Fabrizio Varriale, Place and Space Analyst, <a href="https://www.rics.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors </a></li></ul>We then invite you to join us for a drink afterwards and to continue the conversation at House of Architecture, 66 Portland Place, London. The exhibition <a href="https://www.architecture.com/explore-architecture/exhibitions/Long-Life-Low-Energy" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Long Life, Low Energy: Designing for a circular economy</a> will be open in the Architecture Gallery for the audience to visit before the talk. Ticket price includes one drink Sign up to join the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge <a href="https://www.architecture.com/2030challenge" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here </a><a href="https://www.architecture.com/2030challenge" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"></a>

Long Life Low Energy © Agnese Sanvito<h3>Chair </h3>Duncan Baker-Brown

Duncan Baker-Brown is a practising architect, academic, environmental activist and author of ‘The Re-Use Atlas: a designer’s guide towards a circular economy’ published by RIBA. He has practised, researched, and taught around issues of sustainable development and closed-looped systems for more than 25 years. In 2021 he founded <a href="https://bakerbrown.studio/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">BakerBrown</a>, a research-led architectural practice and consultancy, created to address the huge demands presented by the climate and ecological emergency. Over the years Duncan’s practices (and academic ‘live’ projects) have won numerous accolades including RIBA National Awards and a special award from The Stephen Lawrence Prize for the Brighton Waste House. He is co-chair of RIBA’s Climate Task &amp; Finish Group, and participated in both COP26 and COP27, leading panel discussions on decarbonising the built environment as part of long-term climate action plans. Louisa Bowles, Sustainability Lead, Hawkins\Brown

Louisa Bowles is a Partner and Sustainability Lead at <a href="https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Hawkins\Brown</a>. She has led several multi-disciplinary projects from inception to completion and now leads the practice’s dedicated team of sustainability specialists. She has structured the practice’s <a href="https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/services/sustainable-design/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Whole Life Design strategy</a>, and the development of the in-house <a href="https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/services/sustainable-design/hbert-emissions-reduction-tool/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">H\B:ERT whole life carbon tool</a>, which ensures all projects are measuring and reducing Whole Life Carbon and enhancing the architectural response to human and planetary health. She is an active contributor to a number of industry organisations working to improve environmental performance including LETI, WLCN. Steve Gilchrist, Project Director, Grosvenor Group

Steve Gilchrist is an engineer/contractor turned client Project Director and now runs large development projects on the <a href="https://grosvenor.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Grosvenor </a>Estate in London. He leads and attends various groups for the UK Green Building Council’s Circular Economy Forum and represents Grosvenor as a founding member of Steel Zero, a global initiative that brings leading organisations together to help speed up the transition to a net zero steel industry. In 2021 Steve ran a collaborative Innovation Project at Grosvenor with Elliott Wood, Arup, Orms and HETA, focussing on material reuse as a way of boosting circular economy practices in the built environment.Fabrizio Varriale, Place and Space Analyst, Royal of Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Fabrizio Varriale is an architect with research experience in low-carbon materials and design. He gained his PhD at the Welsh School of Architecture while also teaching in the environmental design masters. In his position at <a href="https://www.rics.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">RICS </a>he produces thought leadership outputs on building sustainability, helping to shape RICS&#x27;s position on related policy matters and coordinated the development of the <a href="https://www.becd.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Built Environment Carbon Database</a>. Fabrizio was a member of the Technical Expert Group that produced the draft EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, and is currently a member of the Energy Efficient Mortgage Label Committee.

This event is programmed as part of the Long Life, Low Energy lecture series.Long Life, Low Energy is sponsored by <a href="https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/renovation-and-retrofitting" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Autodesk</a>L﻿ead image: Hawkins Brown - Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building<h3>Important Visitor Information</h3>
· If you or anyone in your household has Covid symptoms, please stay at home and visit us another time. 
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Material Choices: Making carbon count

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