As the world begins to imagine a new post-herd immunity future, Woods Bagot is contemplating our contribution to a new green economy grounded predominantly in sustainability innovations. With construction being a significant contributor to increasing carbon emissions worldwide, it is now even more critical that we finally deliver on the carbon neutrality commitments articulated in the 2030 Architects Declaration. As of 2021, the US is back into the Paris climate agreement and, together, the business community can prosper from this renewed momentum.

For us, this signals a fundamental mindset change in everything we do as a practice. It spans every facet of business including carbon offsets and community benefits. Our shift towards regenerative design includes several complimentary initiatives including:    

• Desktop climate energy analysis available to all users and projects
• Newly designed masterplans with a bias towards sustainability and regeneration; including the expansion of the Masdar campus in Abu Dhabi
• Currently in development, our new in-house proprietary wellness assessment tool that provides overall sustainable design ambition ratings
• Participation in a newly produced BBC StoryWorks, ‘Building a Better Future’ film series, which was presented by the World Green Building Council 
• Selection of one of our staff as UAE Ambassador for Nature 2020
• Sponsoring of keynote presentations
• Research into renewable LA-based electric charging stations  
• Participation in the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) network to put London on the path to a zero carbon future.  

This month we proudly launched this new series of client communications to keep you informed of our various initiatives so that we can maximize our impact together. 

Regards,

Nik Karalis, CEO

Dubai-based Woods Bagot Interior Designer Nadine Kassab is on a mission to advance sustainability through design. Handpicked from hundreds of promising applicants to be named one of 20 UAE Ambassadors for Nature 2020, her appointment and hard work remind us of the importance of giving platforms to up and coming leaders that can educate us on the steps we need to take next.

Day one of Woods Bagot’s first online festival of ideas – Forward Festival – kicked off with a keynote from regenerative and biophilic design strategist and award-winning architect Amanda Sturgeon. Amanda urged us to “bring nature back up to the top of the priority pile,” inspiring Woods Bagot to continue recognize and act upon the changes we need to make to protect the natural world. 

Anyone who was struck by Sir David Attenborough’s recent documentary and witness statement ‘A Life on Our Planet’ would find themselves galvanized by Amanda’s TED Talk.

With California leading the nation in innovative energy policy, it is time to re-think the role of gas stations across the country. Woods Bagot was invited to participate in Pump to Plug, a symposium hosted by USC’s Dornsife College’s 3rdLA, that asked designers to create urban, architectural, and environmental responses as our nation’s mobility culture shifts in a more sustainable direction.
 
Around the world, Woods Bagot is committed to contributing to a greener tomorrow. To learn more about our vision for this future, click the button below.

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