Catherine Sinclair Named as RIBA Journal Rising Star 2024

SPACE Architects is incredibly proud to announce that Catherine Sinclair, our KTP Associate and Architect specialising in Zero Carbon, has been officially selected as one of the RIBA Journal’s Rising Stars for 2024.

This prestigious accolade recognises emerging talents in architecture who are driving innovative and impactful change. Catherine’s selection as a Rising Star exemplifies her dedication to sustainability, her pioneering work in whole-life carbon reduction, and her commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in architectural design.

Catherine has been at the forefront of SPACE Architects' partnership with Northumbria University, spearheading the development of the SPACE Digital Carbon Model. This cutting-edge tool empowers architects to integrate embodied and operational carbon analysis into the earliest design stages. Through her work, Catherine is making it possible for architects and designers to make informed, low-carbon design decisions from the outset of a project, revolutionising the way the industry approaches sustainability.

Reflecting on her recent achievement, Catherine expressed her gratitude: “I am honoured to be selected as a RIBA Journal Rising Star for 2024. This recognition shines a light on the important work we’re doing at SPACE in collaboration with Northumbria University to reduce whole-life carbon from the offset. Design decisions made early in the process have a massive impact on the overall carbon footprint of a building, and this digital tool will allows architects to make more accurate and sustainable choices."

Catherine is an advocate for embedding whole-life carbon analysis into the core of architectural design—a shift that many in the industry agree is necessary to combat climate change effectively. Her referee, Northumbria University associate professor Zaid Alwan, praised her“huge contribution” to reducing whole-life carbon across all RIBA project stages. The judges were equally impressed, with James Purkiss commenting,“Catherine is an innovator in bringing whole life carbon analysis into design, which is crucial to tackling the challenge of climate change.”

Catherine's work has a far-reaching impact, extending into academia, industry discussions, and public platforms. At Northumbria University, she regularly lectures on the importance of early-stage carbon reduction in the design process, sharing her knowledge and inspiring the next generation of architects. Catherine also plays an active role in SPACE Architects' industry outreach, contributing to the _shift conference as both a speaker and panellist. Furthermore, Catherine recently attended and presented at this year's 2024 European Conference on Computing in Construction.

Rob Charlton, CEO of SPACE Architects, offered his congratulations to Catherine, stating, “We couldn’t be more proud of Catherine and her recent selection as a Rising Star. She exemplifies what it means to lead by innovation and vision. Her contributions to reducing whole-life carbon are shaping the future of sustainable design, and this recognition is a reflection of the tremendous impact she’s already made.”

Catherine’s journey into sustainability began early in her architectural career, and she quickly realised the importance of addressing carbon reduction at the foundational stages of design. "In my experience across the industry, I was surprised to see how little attention is paid to whole-life carbon during the early design stages when it can make the most significant difference,"she explains. Her innovative approach challenges conventional design processes and has led to significant advancements in how whole-life carbon is understood and applied within the profession.

The SPACE Digital Carbon Model, the tool she’s helping to develop, provides a systematic framework for analysing both embodied and operational carbon in building projects. It’s designed to guide architects and designers through each stage of development, offering actionable insights that help reduce the overall carbon footprint. This approach is already proving transformative in a number of our projects, and Catherine hopes to see its widespread adoption across the industry over the coming years.

Looking ahead, Catherine is excited about the potential of her research to influence future projects and help navigate a more informed and responsible built environment. "We have a responsibility to design buildings that far extend the needs of today by also safeguarding the planet for future generations. By embracing sustainable practices and innovative technologies, we can create a built environment that is both regenerative and resilient."

SPACE Architects is proud to support Catherine in her journey. Her recognition as a RIBA Journal Rising Star marks the beginning of what promises to be a truly impactful career, and we look forward to seeing how her work will continue to transform the future of architectural practice. Once again, congratulations to Catherine on this incredible achievement! Her drive, passion, and dedication to reducing whole-life carbon sets a powerful example of how we can address the challenges of climate change through design.