Together to Net Zero: Our peer-to-peer review group

In 2022, spacelab_ started developing a sustainability framework, enabling our journey to net zero. We wanted to understand what good looked like, and we needed to ensure that we would be accountable for our commitments. 

Nothing inspires action better than the stories from others. And so, our peer-to-peer review group was formed. A platform to discuss openly with other similar businesses about how we do things in day-to-day practice and project work. A collaborative forum to keep us in check. After all, achieving net zero is a collective effort - we do better together. 

Evidently, small-to-medium-size practices face different challenges from larger ones. Together, in our peer-to-peer review group we have discussed everything from a baseline for best practice to how to set achievable targets, we have shared new materials, methodologies, resources, tools, and explored how to communicate with clients and other partners. 

The agenda for our third session focused on key areas of Net Zero in project work; including a show and tell about recent success stories and case study examples, a detailed discussion about material passports and we closed with an update on each practice's progress towards Net Zero since our last meet up.

spacelab_ kicked off the discussion by sharing two recent projects; Primrose Hill Works, a commercial retrofit that was our first pilot for a scenario-based study for embodied carbon, and Ted’s Town, a previous retail space converted to commercial workspace for Ted Baker, which showcased a circular design approach using recycled and reused materials.

The variation between projects gave us a great opportunity to objectively share the challenges and opportunities in different contexts. Interior projects have the advantage of accessible, affordable materials and manufacturing processes. With global renowned brands and suppliers leading the way to do better momentum is building. We managed to produce our own composite materials by reusing recycled content from the client's retail operations, including coat hangers, glazing, and dressmaking fabrics. However, the nature of fit-out needs more longevity and greater consideration on how the life-span of spaces can dramatically exceed a typical 5-10-year lease. 

In contrast, the core brief for Primrose Hill Works was to regear the building for market with longevity at the forefront, including improving the EPC and consequently reducing its operational carbon footprint - not necessarily driven by its embodied carbon in material use. Therefore, the project required close collaboration between architectural and engineering building services. Our embodied carbon modeling aided the decision-making in scoping and specification, for example, for the new entrance gates we demonstrated that recycled steel has three times less carbon emission in comparison to virgin steel with a minimal impact on the design intent. It allowed a much clearer understanding of the project's tensity and how to progress in order to meet RIBA standards alongside the whole life carbon assessment. 

Haptic Architects shared insights and updates on material passports including discussions from the New London Architecture (NLA) expert panel and progress in data collection and methodologies. As a group, we discussed the important role of RICs latest developments for standards, tools, and regulations and reviewed the latest intervention of the ‘Golden Thread’ in the Building Safety Act. 

Coffey Architects shared their latest conversation with structural engineers around design for disassembly as a new (and borrowed from old) methodology and together we discussed the scalability of this approach and how interiors are adopting this in component design including partitioning, joinery, and finishes.

The session was buoyant and highly informative, with participants describing it as ‘inspiring, insightful, and enlightening’. It was also encouraging that everyone who took part said they were motivated to support their business transition towards Net Zero. And, something we want to explore in more detail next time is the correlation between a carbon budget and design in the future – so watch this space!