New Makers Bureau, a two-year old practice led by James Hampton has been named as the winner of the Architect Pitch with its concept of the net zero neighbourhood. Jas Bhalla Architects was named as the runner-up.
New Makers Bureau was one of seven practices to pitch ideas for a net zero neighbourhood to a panel led by Max Fordham to mark the opening of an exhibition on its founders life and work.
Judges praised New Makers Bureau's pitch that explored the idea of sourcing building materials from within a 50-mile radius to reduce the embodied carbon of a neighbourhood.
Ali Shaw, principal engineer for Max Fordham, said: “One thing Max liked to talk about was taking an idea and seeing where it goes and we felt that the idea of sourcing building materials from within a 50-mile radius was a great example of this. Laura delivered a great pitch which we felt tied in with the discussions about 15-mile cities that are happening at the moment.
Max was a pioneer of sustainable building design, and this competition was a fitting way to launch the exhibition celebrating his life and work."
Architectural Assistant, Laura Keay who delivered the pitch said: “We are delighted to have won, especially as we’re such a new practice. We were really excited to be part of this competition as Archiboo is all about new and emerging practices. Max was an inspiration for us in interpreting the brief, we took his principles and combined them with our own to produce our pitch”.
The other architects pitching were: Archio, Ben Adams Architects, Hudson Architects, Jas Bhalla Architects, Stolon Studio and Transition by Design .
The panel was: Ali Shaw, Max Fordham, Sunand Prasad, Penoyre Prasad, David Stronge, Peabody, Amrita Mahindroo, DROO Architects and Fran Williams, Architects’ Journal.
The winning architect was awarded a £2500 prize.
The exhibition, Max Fordham: Engineering Ideas, Engineering Change runs until March 24 2023 at the Building Centre, Store Street.Wongani Mwanza, Transition by Design,
Top image from left to right: Lewis Williams, Hudson Architects, Jessica Barker, Stolon Studio, Bryan Tsang, Ben Adams Architects, Laura Keay, New Makers Bureau, Mellis Haward, Archio and Jas Bhalla, Jas Bhalla Architects.
Images:Paul Vincent
