We are very proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for four AJ100 2022 Awards:
- Innovation of the Year
- Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- Collaboration of the Year
- Sustainability Champion of the Year
The AJ100 awards programme celebrates the achievements of architectural practices, with a particular focus on those leading the way on sustainability.
The scope of our shortlistings reflects the holistic approach which we apply to every Chetwoods project. Every scheme we work on is considered by our specialist teams: Studio puts the human nature, imagination, and instinct into our designs. Thrive ensures that they are ethical, environmental, and healthy. Works makes them into exemplars of construction and technological performance. The teams’ input is supported by extensive and innovative R&D programmes involving people across our practice and external creative, commercial and academic partnerships.
The Innovation of the Year Award is for a practice that has made an innovation which has transformed an aspect of its work. This may be a technological innovation or an example of inspirational problem-solving.
For several years, Chetwoods has been investigating human emotional responses to design. During 2021 our Studio, Thrive and Works teams collaborated and experimented with new technologies to measure engagement with our designs from a human-centric perspective. Using eye-tracking methods to immerse a subject in an environment we analysed levels of interaction and physical responses – whether through eye gaze fixation, heart rate or virtual engagement with a space.
The initiative was led by Laurie Chetwood and Dr Erika Parn, Strategic Lead of our Works team and a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge.
To be considered for the Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award, a practice needs to submit an initiative that demonstrates an exemplary and innovative approach to sustainability.
In 2021, Chetwoods collaborated with the National Building Specification (NBS) platform, to develop extra filters for the NBS Source database which focus on the environmental impact of products featured in this widely-used materials specification resource. It is the latest project in our materials R+D process. Used by over 3,000 practices across our industry, this initiative positively impacts all architects using the NBS Source database that wish to design sustainable buildings.
Our teams apply the Chetwoods Sustainable Design Drivers to every project to ensure that ethical, environmental and health and wellbeing principles are embedded throughout design, construction, and delivery.
Our shortlisting for the Collaboration of the Year Award is for a partnership between our Thrive team and Dr Craig Jones, the founder of Circular Ecology who is a respected figure in the field of embodied carbon assessment in construction.
Throughout 2021 the team collaborated with Dr Jones to develop and implement a new collaborative approach to sustainability in construction projects that helps clients clearly identify and achieve their sustainability goals. At sustainability workshops hosted by Circular Ecology and Thrive with the client and their project supply chain, presentations and discussion facilitate the group’s identification and exploration of an array of potential sustainable solutions to meet the goals of the project.
The embodied carbon and economic costs of materials and operational solutions are compared to achieve the most efficient carbon reductions for the scheme, with the end result being a bespoke strategy based on the client’s objectives. To date this partnership has demonstrated extremely positive results for a range of clients, with one scheme achieving 25% less embodied carbon than a standard building in its sector.
Our Thrive Project Manager Taleen Josefsson’s shortlisting for the Sustainability Champion of the Year Award reflects her commitment to sustainability in the built environment. She is driving forward the Circular Economy message through her work as an architectural sustainability consultant and her proactive public engagement.
Taleen supports and guides Chetwoods’ project teams on sustainable design and material selection, including latest policies and best-practice. Within Thrive she provides consultancy to help clients embed sustainable practices in schemes.
Our shortlisted teams have presented their entries in more detail to the AJ100 judging panels and the results will be revealed in June.
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