Keynote - Sustainability in Extreme Environments
Event Description
British Antarctic Survey’s polar estate comprises a series of buildings and infrastructure some of which dates back to the 1970s and 1980s. The Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) will deliver critical new and updated buildings and a new energy infrastructure including renewable energy generation and smart energy systems and it will transform how British Antarctic Survey enables and supports frontier science. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), this long-term programme will enable a world-leading capability to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research in the Polar regions. Together with the commissioning of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, this modernisation programme represents the largest Government investment in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s.
BAS AIMP’s Sustainability Manager, Natalia Ford, will talk on Sustainability in Extreme Environments, expanding on the challenges of delivering projects under unique conditions and constraints at the same time as trying to deliver to aspirational sustainability targets.
CES: Estimated 1 LU/HSW for AIA Members
Speaker
Natalia Ford, AIMP Sustainability Manager, British Antarctic Survey
Moderator: Alex Miller, AIA, AIA Intl Spring Conference Chair; Senior Associate Principal, KPF
I joined BAS in November 2020 as Sustainability Manager for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP). I previously worked as a sustainability advisor with the UK Green Building Council whilst completing my MSc in Corporate Environmental Management. After which I was a sustainability consultant within a property consultancy, focusing on improving the sustainability of new and refurbished commercial buildings. My work has specialised in climate change mitigation and links to embodied carbon of materials and products, as well as circularity in design and construction/deconstruction.
I am leading on sustainability within the AIMP, advising Phase 2 projects at Rothera such as the redevelopment of the runway, the new aircraft maintenance facility, and the renewable energy infrastructure in order to ensure that these projects support BAS’ wider Net Zero ambitions. In addition, my role will ensure that the wider environmental and social aspects of sustainability are embedded into the design, construction and operation of the AIMP projects. I am also managing the delivery of a sustainability appraisal of the programme of works at Rothera to understand how wider programmatic decisions may impact on sustainability outcomes.
Moderator: Alex Miller is a Senior Associate Principal at KPF, and provides leadership and technical skills to numerous projects often involving the interweaving of historic buildings and contemporary architecture. He has been involved in long-term with the design and delivery of multiple projects involving listed buildings in Covent Garden including the London Film Museum, the 2020 AIA National award-winning Floral Court mixed-use development, and the cast-iron framed Carriage Hall.
He enjoys complex projects at various scales and has experience collaborating with large teams in the delivery of projects. He is currently working on a 40-storey student residential accomodation tower adjacent London Bridge Station.
He is a past President of the American Institute of Architects UK Chapter and a past Secretary of AIA International.
