My client:
My client is a leading UK architectural firm known for innovative and sustainable design. Their projects span education, residential, commercial, cultural, and infrastructure sectors.
The firm is recognized for its collaborative approach and commitment to sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices and materials into their designs. Their office culture is inclusive and vibrant, earning accolades such as The Sunday Times' Best 100 Companies to Work For. Renowned for blending contemporary design with historical context, my client continues to impact the built environment positively.
Role Overview:
The role will entail working directly with the Partner, Sustainability Lead and other Sustainability Team members. While the team works across a range of projects and sustainability scopes, this role will primarily focus on producing Embodied and Whole Life Carbon analysis (WLCA). They carry out these tasks using OneClick LCA and are also developing their in-house Whole Life Carbon measurement and design tool VERT.
Their aim is always to integrate the data analysis into the design process driving carbon emission reductions rather than for a measurement or reporting exercise itself. They are also seeing huge interest in emerging innovative materials, which they research and document on behalf of the practice, with close links across architectural and interior design studios. They carry out WLCA work across a range of sectors and project types including workplace, education, infrastructure, residential, civic and culture.
In addition to focussing on WLCA the successful candidate will be exposed to the range of work the team undertakes including early stage passive design analysis and have the opportunity to get involved in project design reviews, winning new work, training the wider office and potentially external advocacy. The Sustainability Team sits within the Specialist Design Studio so the team benefits from cross fertilisation from a range of other specialists including technical, delivery, BIM and digital design.
Responsibilities will include:
- Carry out Embodied and Whole Life Carbon analysis on a range of projects at regular intervals
- Provision of evidence for BREEAM Mat 01 credits alongside full WLCA
- Support the continuing development, adoption and integration of WLCA into the practice
- Lead the identification of carbon emission reduction potential within each project where WLCA is carried out and assist in delivering this
- Support the practice in fulfilling their RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge obligations
- Maintain the drive to procure and deliver next zero carbon projects
- Support the drive for passive design and fabric first approaches
- Carry out sustainable design reviews at key project stages
- Provide advice for material specification based on responsible procurement processes, embodied carbon, waste reduction and Circular Economy principles
- Assist with CPD programme in line with RIBA curriculum
- Assist in research, where applicable
Requirements:
- Evidence of producing Embodied and Whole Life Carbon analysis and reports aligned with the RICS WLCA Methodology using OneClick LCA and other tools
- Knowledge of current WLCA standards and approaches
- 2-3 years experience of working in an autonomous sustainability role within a design practice or consultancy
- Masters level degree in environmental design or equivalent
- Architectural training preferred but not essential
- An understanding of design and the RIBA work stages
- Highly self-motivated with ability to motivate teams
- Excellent communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English
- Professional attitude when dealing with internal and external teams
- Hands on approach with the confidence to provide creative input
- Be adaptable in a fluid design environment
- Be committed to continuous development and sharing of knowledge
- Excellent organisation
- problem solving and time management skills
- Evidence of graphic skills
- Ability to research and maintain updated technical skills
- A familiarity with BREEAM and Passivhaus design
- Knowledge of key thermal modelling and environmental analysis packages not essential but beneficial
- 2-4 Years experience in a similar role Evidence of producing Embodied and Whole Life Carbon analysis and reports
- OneClick LCA