RIBA Scott Brownrigg Award for Sustainable Development
Launched in 2022 as a collaboration between RIBA and Scott Brownrigg, the RIBA Scott Brownrigg Award for Sustainable Development funds research to address environmental and ethical issues and enhance the quality of life of communities across the globe. It offers £10,000 to individuals or teams interested in developing research projects or practical work in architecture-related topics associated with one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Global Compact:
Goal 01: No Poverty
Goal 02: Zero Hunger
Goal 03: Good Health and Well-Being
Goal 04: Quality Education
Goal 05: Gender Equality
Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 07: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 08: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 09: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 15: Life on Land
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Goal 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal
The scheme intends to focus on developing the skills and competencies of the successful applicants and on generating practical solutions or considered recommendations that improve the physical environment and enhance the quality of life of citizens and communities.
The award is open to individuals or teams of architecture graduates and practitioners for projects lasting between three and 12 months.
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Eligibility criteria
The award is open to individuals or teams of architecture students, graduates, academics and qualified architects who have obtained a professional qualification in architecture in higher education institutions that offer courses validated by the RIBA in the UK or abroad.
To be eligible to apply for the award, the sole or lead applicant must:
- have successfully completed a RIBA-validated Part 1 course or with candidate course status in the UK or abroad, and
- be enrolled, or have been granted a place of study, in a RIBA-validated Part 2 or 3 course or with candidate course status in the UK or abroad by the beginning of the period covered by the award, or
- have graduated from a RIBA-validated Part 2 or 3 course or with candidate course status in the UK or abroad
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed against evidence of the following criteria:
- relevance and originality of the research topic
- the maximum potential for the research output to advance the United Nations Global Compact Sustainable Development Goals
- the candidate’(s’) research ability, and their academic or professional competency in the field proposed
- thorough project planning, particularly regarding implementation of realistic time frames, and effective budget and resource management
- details of how the applicant(s) will benefit personally and professionally from the experience
- explanation of what the benefits of the research are to the architectural profession, as well as to the communities and individuals directly affected by the intended outputs of the research
How to apply
The 2024 application cycle is now closed. The next application cycle will open in the spring of 2026. For more information on the criteria and application process, please read the guidance notes (PDF) for the 2024 application cycle.
Contact
If you have any questions about this award please contact us at research.funding@riba.org.
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2024 winners
We are pleased to announce four winners of the 2024 RIBA Scott Brownrigg Award for Sustainable Development. The winning project – ‘Unlocking Indigenous Stone Construction in the UK: A Guide for Sustainable Sourcing’ was submitted by the following group of researchers:
- Giulliana-Florela Giorgi (Lead); ARB Architect at Allies and Morrison, Associate Lecturer at Ravensbourne University London, AA Graduate
- Jenny Haines; CEng MICE, Senior Structural Engineer at Webb Yates Engineers
- Matt Robb; Marketing and Media Manager for Stone Federation Great Britain, the official trade association for the natural stone industry.
While the use of stone in construction has seen a resurgence in recent years, many UK projects continue to rely on imported stone, which carries a significantly higher carbon cost. The proposed research seeks to address this challenge by investigating the current barriers to increasing the use of indigenous stone in construction. It explores its potential as one of the key solutions for decarbonising the built environment while fostering local economic growth.
Taking a collaborative approach, the project seeks to unite a fragmented construction sector by engaging architects, engineers, stonemasons, quarry operators, and other key stakeholders in interviews and roundtable discussions.
Through a three-stage methodology, surveys, site visits, and case studies will be conducted, culminating in an online platform presenting findings through maps, diagrams, a report, and short video documentary. This online platform will provide practical suggestions for sourcing and using local stone, helping to decarbonise the built environment while supporting rural economies.
Applications were reviewed by a judging panel comprising:
- (Chair) Mhairi McVicar; Professor of Architecture at Cardiff University
- Basil Demeroutis; Managing Partner, FORE Partnership
- Alasdair Ben Dixon; Architect & Co-founder, Collective Works
- Alice Moncaster; Professor of Sustainable Construction, University of the West of England
- Alex Scott-Whitby; Director, ScottWhitbyStudio and Associate Professor of Architecture at Kingston University
- Nwola Uduku; Head of School of Architecture at Liverpool School of Architecture (LSA)
- Mario Vieira; Head of Sustainability at Scott Brownrigg
Contact
If you have any questions about this award please contact us at research.funding@riba.org.
Previous recipients and their research
2022
Ben Hayes, Dr Josephine Mwongeli Malonza, Kit Lee-Smith and Julia Backhaus: ‘Co-Designing the Rwanda Model Village’
(awarded £5,000).
Read the report submitted to the RIBA at the end of the 2022 project (PDF).