Sustainability Designer/Whole Life Carbon Analyst/

Hawkins\Brown are looking for a Sustainability Designer / Whole Life Carbon Analyst with at least 2-3 years of relevant experience to join their vibrant London studio. This role will primarily focus on producing Embodied and Whole Life Carbon analysis (WLCA).

Hawkins\Brown Introduction

Hawkins\Brown is an architecture practice based in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin and Toronto. We are a progressive, award-winning studio, and one of the leading design-based architectural practices in the UK. At the heart of this is our studio culture.

We have been pioneers in sustainable design since the practice was founded. We constantly challenge ourselves, our clients, colleagues and competitors to do better. And we do that by investing, researching, reviewing, inventing and – most importantly – sharing the knowledge and tools we create.

We believe an exciting and interactive working environment nurtures creativity and enthusiasm. Our studios are living laboratories where we test ideas about new ways of working, to produce the best design solutions.

Sustainability Designer 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). We carry out these tasks using OneClick LCA  and are also developing our in-house Whole Life Carbon measurement and design tool VERT. Our 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. We are also seeing huge interest in emerging innovative materials, which we research and document on behalf of the practice, with close links across architectural and interior design studios. We 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 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

Skills required

• At least 2-3 years of experience within a similar role
• 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
• Experience of working in an autonomous sustainability role within a design practice
• 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

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, increasing up to 28 days with long service awards
• Duvet Day
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hybrid working
• Flexitime
• 4% employer pension contribution
• Discretionary Profit Share Scheme
• Enhanced parental leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Insured on our Life Assurance and Income Protection schemes
• Interest free travel loan
• Rental deposit loan
• Training and development programmes