Sustainability - Jamie Fobert Architects

Our Commitment to Regenerative Practice

Jamie Fobert Architects takes a well-informed, creative and integrated approach to sustainability, finding innovative ways to achieve long-term social, economic and environmental benefits for all our projects.

We believe it is essential to consider sustainability strategies for any project early on in the design stages, including reusable energy technology and ecological impact. We collaborate with experienced and innovative environmental engineers to achieve the best possible sustainable outcomes, not only in terms of embodied energy or whole-life performance strategies but also in terms of cost, functionality and aesthetics.

We passionately champion the adaptive reuse of historic buildings as one of the most powerful tools for sustainable design. As architects, we’re committed to extending the life of existing structures, celebrating their character while conserving their embodied carbon.

With sustainability now creating a new language for what is considered beautiful, our practice's commitment to sustainable construction is entirely compatible with our parallel goal of achieving an architecture of great beauty.

Jamie Fobert Architects is a signatory of Architects Declare, a member of Timber Development UK, a contributing practice to The Regenerative Architecture Index 2025 and we have ISO14001 certification for Environmental Standards.

In our projects

From the outset of a project, we engage with the client team to arrive together at a clear understanding of the project's sustainable objectives. We lead workshops with all parties in an open and frank conversation about the nature of the site, the sustainable goals the project must attain and the necessary investment and commitment.

“Lean design” (Leti Roadmap 2023) is often at the forefront of these discussions, as refining specifications (surplus areas, number of GIS rooms, structural design load) is a sound first step towards sustainability. Operational carbon is also a key consideration early on, since building a net zero carbon scheme requires the careful monitoring of options from the first stages of a project.

In retrofit projects, we carefully consider the existing structure and built fabric not just for its historic relevance but also in terms of minimising demolition. In line with circular economy principles, we initiate a process of identifying which existing building elements can be reused so that they can be integrated into the new design.

Adaptive reuse of Grade I-Listed historic fabric at the National Portrait Gallery.

A cross laminated timber roof and timber structure for the Charleston Exhibition Centre.

Maggie’s Cancer Centre, Coventry aspires to zero carbon construction.

Local wildflowers on the roof at Tate St Ives.

In our studio

We embed sustainability at the heart of our practice culture. Our internal Sustainability Group reviews current measures, identifies opportunities for improvement and learning, reports on environmental performance, and celebrates our progress across the studio.

We undertake detailed material studies and regularly invite innovative, specialist fabricators to present their work to the team. This collaborative approach strengthens our understanding of emerging technologies and ensures alignment with our environmental objectives across all projects.

In 2022, we published our first Annual Sustainability Report, providing a full carbon footprint analysis and outlining our progress and future goals. The report reflects our belief that sustainability is not a standalone initiative but a fundamental part of how we design, collaborate, and build.

Through close partnerships with clients and consultants, we foster a shared responsibility for sustainable outcomes. Our approach prioritises early-stage decision-making and integrates environmental considerations throughout every stage of a project’s lifecycle.

Our purpose is clear: to respond to the planetary emergency with practical, measurable actions driven by structure, transparency, and a commitment to long-term change.

The team visits Tom Stuart Smith’s garden, observing innovative ways to repurpose site materials for planting aggregates.