Submission by Foster Perpatidou LLP.
Being a good ancestor
Practice
1. Does the practice have a clearly stated purpose aligned with the planetary emergency? We are looking for a bold ambition here, and a practice culture which recognises the need for long-term thinking. For example, a strong mission, a theory of change, or a sustainability roadmap.
We are architects and passivehouse designers. We are about to start on site with our first new build passivehouse in London. This process has taught us a lot.
2. Does the practice have a clear succession plan, which passes on ownership and protects the values and legacy of those who built and contributed to the practice? For example is the practice an employee owned trust.
We are a husband and wife practice. We have two children, age 11 and 6. Architectural practice will need to adapt considerably in the next 20 years. It would be wonderful to pass on the practice in some form to our children, it might look very different by then, but we are certainly teaching them the same climate focused values we apply in out work.
3. Does the practice share research and knowledge for the benefit of society and the wider world? For example, you regularly carry out post occupancy evaluation and share information with others.
We are regular collaborators with SELCE – South East London Community Energy – and have contributed to a number of their events giving illustrated presentations about our built work, our unbuilt work and our work in progress.
Project
1. Does the practice advocate for long-term thinking at the outset of projects? Do you initiate projects with long-term thinking and challenge the client on design life? Also, can the practice demonstrate that this approach has worked – with a shorter or longer design life, or an innovative approach to financing or payback period?
Working at a relatively small scale, and in London, many of our clients householders seeking extension and refurbishment schemes. The nature of the London property market often results in short term thinking taking priority over longer term stategies such as energy saving and use of natural materails. Our priority on every new project is to introduce an energy and materials focussed element to each scheme – if not part of the initial client brief, we are able to offer compelling arguments to encourage this shift in thinking – looking at the value of well being for example, or a reduction in layers of applied finishes using beautiful core materials that can be left exposed.
2. Do your projects take account of the future climate and the need for resilience? For example, do the projects demonstrate flexibility, design for adaptation, design for disassembly, non-deterministic solutions, or demountable structures.
Our priority for timber construction is naturally well suited to adaption – it’s easier to modify a timber structure with a lightweight footprint than a concrete structure on deep foundations. Easy to disassemble and reuse on another site. We also encourage domestic clients to plan in phases, perhaps making a series of smaller interventions over a longer time period, putting more thought in, rather than rushing into building more than is actually needed at the outset. Our willingness to adapt and update our design work for an evolving multi phase brief also forms part of this.
3. Do the majority of your projects go beyond mitigating negatives and towards optimising positives? For example, are they meeting or exceeding the RIBA 2030 Challenge.
The Passivehouse standard dictates exceeding pretty much all other operational energy performance targets. Our approach towards embodied carbon is to use less, use carefully and use timber where we can. In terms of water usage, we encourage the adoption of rainwater recycling which reduces domestic consumption and takes pressure off the drainage system.
Co-evolving with nature
Practice
1. Does the practice use biophilia within the office or regularly host meetings and retreats in natural settings? For example do you have extensive planting within the office or rely on natural patterns and imagery for stress relief or quiet areas.
As a practice we started just after Covid, and our office was at home. Extending our home was one of the first projects we undertook together, and a big part of the remodelling brief was to invite the gardens into the house via a opening up, carving views and terracing the sloping site.
2. Can the practice share examples where it has considered nature in decision making? For example by having a nature proxy to encourage eco-centric decision making, using natural systems as inspiration for the company structure, recognising the seasonal nature of people’s capacity and workload or celebrating equinoxes and solstices together.
In a previous role at Tonkin Liu Architects, I was involved in a number of projects based on their nature led design process. Whilst we don’t formally apply the same process to our work, their nature led, storytelling driven way of thinking is firmly engrained in our thinking.
3. Is the practice supporting nature locally and nationally? For example, does the practice support local gardens, gardeners, planting programmes, rewilding programmes or advocate for changes in legislation to protect nature.
We have supported the Devonshire Road Nature Reserve, an Urban Nature Reserve sandwiched between railway lines in south-east London – for many years. We produced a design for a new visitor Centre collaboratively with their volunteer group, and led the fundraising process.
Project
1. Can the practice demonstrate projects which strive to match the performance of a mature ecosystem? As a minimum this would mean achieving biodiversity net gain.
Not yet built, but our proposal for Mountsfield Park cafe in Lewisham replaces an extensive area of impermeable tarmac and a pair of shipping containers with a new, timber framed cafe with wildflower roof.
2. Is the practice working on material stewardship? For example, evidence could be shown through repeated use of low carbon materials, extensive material libraries and research or publications supporting responsible use of materials and elimination of waste.
Extensive timber based materials library. Extensive natural insulation based library. An interest in compostable, grown materials.
3. Do the majority of projects demonstrate the use of biologically-inspired approaches such as Bioregionalism, Biophilia, Biomimicry, Ecomimicry (also referred to as Ecosystems Thinking, Industrial Ecology or Industrial Symbiosis) or BioTRIZ?
No.
Creating a just space for people
Practice
1. Does the practice have a progressive EDI policy and can you evidence many forms of diversity, which are welcomed and acknowledged, within the practice?
Not yet a formal policy as we are currently a very small practice.
2. Does the practice operate a no overtime culture, meet the living wage consistently, and stipulate a fair salary ratio between staff of all levels?
No.
3. Does the practice support charities, community groups, social enterprises, action groups and others through pro-bono work, charitable giving or in-kind donations?
Devonshire Road Nature reserve project mentioned in an earlier answer.
Our studio is located in the Blue Garage, a social enterprise and co-working space in central Lewisham.
4. Does the practice publicly refuse to work with certain clients, suppliers or organisations on ethical grounds?
We haven’t encountered this yet, but we would prioritise principles over profit.
Project
1. Do the projects demonstrate deep engagement with local stakeholders and end users? For example, is there evidence that your project engagement goes beyond consultation towards co-design?
It is hard to formally document this for domestic projects and clients, but that kind of collaborative approach is certainly the way we operate with domestic clients.
2. Do your projects create connected and resilient places which positively contribute to their neighbourhoods and allow equality of access? For example, do your projects create economic opportunity, retain value locally and generate social value?
Mountsfield Park Cafe was developed collaboratively with the proposed cafe operator and part of the success of our winning bid can be attributed to their commitment to local employment, youth training and living wage.
3. Do the majority of your projects promote equity in society, and consider all people, not only the building inhabitants? For example, do your projects show due regard for workers within the supply chain and take active steps to avoid modern slavery?
No.