Welcome to our ‘Unlocking Leadership‘ series, where we delve into the creative minds of visionary founders, leaders, and innovators. Through our quick-fire Q&A interviews, we uncover the core principles that shape impactful leadership in today’s dynamic business world.

 

Camilla Parsons is a founding director of Whittaker Parsons Architects, an award-winning London based firm known for its approach to sustainable design. Their philosophy, “build less, design better,” drives each project, focusing on minimising environmental impact while enhancing architectural quality.

Camilla is a Certified Passivhaus Designer with expertise in architectural conservation. Her commitment to maximising existing structures and thoughtfully optimising any additions is central to her work. She leads the studio’s efforts to reduce operational energy and carbon emissions across projects, bringing a sustainability-first approach to every design.

Prior to founding WP, Camilla worked for award-winning practices in London and Scotland, working on the National Trust Mottisfont Abbey Visitor Centre and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.  She sits on the Architects’ Journal Architecture Awards and British Homes Awards judging panels, guest critiques, advocates for change, and runs workshops with schoolchildren across the capital.

Here, Camilla shares her insights on leadership and innovation in the built environment sector…

As a leader in sustainability, how do you guide and inspire your team and collaborators to embrace eco-friendly design and work practices?

It is important to keep learning. By upskilling and gaining a detailed technical understanding of building physics and new technology, we can optimise our buildings’ performance. I hope my knowledge-sharing, pushing for better results, and engaging in collaborative innovation inspire our teams and clients.

What role do architects play in shaping a more sustainable future, particularly in urban environments where space and resources are limited?

Architects should be instrumental in helping the UK meet the net zero target by 2050. We have a holistic understanding of the built environment and can bridge the gap between technical knowledge and urban, social, economic, and political factors. We already have the tools and know-how to design and build better. As an industry, we must improve at shouting about our expertise and ensuring we’re engaged with policy-making.

How do you envision the future of sustainable architecture, and what are the emerging trends or technologies that most excite you?

I envision a green renaissance! As a Passivhaus designer, I am most excited about the widespread adoption of Passivhaus standards in public-owned buildings. By optimising the performance of new and existing buildings (from housing to large civic buildings) we can reduce operational costs, in turn tackling fuel poverty and easing social issues.

What advice would you give to young architects who aspire to make a difference in the sustainability space?

There are so many individuals and organisations doing great work in the field. Seek them out, learn from them, get clued up and involved in discussions – the rest will follow.  

What role does collaboration with other industries (such as energy, technology, and materials) play in your efforts to advance sustainability in the built environment?

We leverage innovation by partnering with circular economy pioneers and engineers to minimise waste and carbon expenditures in our projects. Collaboration is fundamental in our industry, drawing upon the expertise of specialists and engaging in design workshops to create innovative integrated solutions which remain true to the architectural vision.

Are there any projects you’ve worked on that stand out as exemplary models of sustainability?

Our ‘Waste Not, Want Not house’ is a case-study for our practice. The American architect Buckminster Fuller famously asked ‘how much does your building weigh’.  We are now at a time when we should ask how much carbon your building saves.

‘Waste Not, Want Not house’ is predominantly built from recycled products, saving eight tonnes of construction waste from landfills. For example, 5.7 tonnes of rubble, salvaged from forming the structural openings in the existing building, were used in the rubble foundations. We specified bricks made of nearly 100 per cent waste material and having 95 per cent less embodied carbon than standard bricks.

There are so many brilliant manufacturers out there working hard to reduce carbon emissions—it’s important to support them.

BELOW: Waste Not, Want Not House, East London. Photo credit: Ellen Christina Hancock

BELOW: Larch Loft, North London. Photo credit: Jim Stephenson.

Sustainable retrofits can be perceived as cost-prohibitive. How do you make the case for investing in sustainability to clients, especially in older buildings?

Yes, retrofitting is often disruptive and costly. We recommend that clients commission a holistic decarbonisation strategy from the outset. This enables upgrading works to be phased confidently and aligned with a clear financial plan. Once clients see the long-term economic benefits and payback behind the retrofit proposals (like installing a heat pump or PVs [Photovoltaic panels), they are often fully onboard.

How do you incorporate the principles of healthy construction into your projects, particularly in terms of improving indoor air quality?

Improving air quality and our buildings’ indoor health is a big part of what we do at Whittaker Parsons. Apart from specifying good mechanical ventilation in our projects, we work hard to source healthier, greener building materials, breathable ones with no VOCs and often high recycled content.  For example, we are big fans of installing sheep wool insulation – it’s pleasant to work with, non-toxic, breathable and obviously from a sustainable renewable resource. Its manufacture takes less energy than other products, and the wool batts aid in air purification in buildings.

Which leaders inspire you?

Greta Thunberg – for her bravery, commitment and communication.

And finally, what’s a favourite motto that you often draw on?

“The first law of leadership is that your foundation is built through integrity, character, and trust.”  – Brian Cagneey.

 

Explore our recently launched programme, ‘Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities‘

Watch expert interviews and eye-opening partner films, including a close look at the retrofitting of the famous Kodak Building, a Grade II listed building and one of London’s first purpose-built, open-plan office blocks. Over a hundred years later, it’s been brought up to modern standards through a sustainable design that embraces its heritage. Watch it here.