Sustainable development is at the core of the work we deliver at Modern Architecture Workshop. We’ve talked on our blog about why we believe sustainability is an essential tenet for our team, but not much about what it means in practice.

Focusing solely on building design would be easy, but we believe in thinking more holistically. In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all called Agenda 2030. A central focus of the plan is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which clearly define this vision and consist of 17 high-level goals.

You may recognise them from the graphic below:

The Royal Institute of British Architects signed up to support the UN and make these principles part of its culture. As a RIBA Chartered Practice, we are happy to follow this lead and drive sustainable thinking through our business practices.

Influencing Sustainable and Ethical Practice

As Architects, we can influence the sustainability of a project at every stage of the RIBA Plan of Work, from the strategic definition and briefing stages right up to occupation and use. The UN defined its Global Compact Principles in support of the SDGs, to which both the RIBA and Modern Architecture Workshop subscribe. In practice, this means companies must work int he following areas:

Human Rights

1. Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and

2. make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses

Labour

3.  Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

4.  the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour

5.  the effective abolition of child labour; and

6.  the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

Environment

7.  Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;

8.  undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and

9.  encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

10. Businesses should work against corruption in all forms, including extortion and bribery.

These are ambitious work streams, and you can see some of our work in these areas in our Sustainability Policy, Health and Safety Policy, and our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

There’s a long way to go and a lot of work to do. We hope by working with the principles of the UN’s SDGs and the Global Compact Principles, along with designing energy-efficient buildings, we can play our small part.

It’s important to remember also that as a RIBA Chartered Practice, we must also operate under the RIBA Professional Code of Conduct and Code of

Practice. This includes these principles:

Principle 1: Integrity

Members shall act with honesty and integrity at all times.

Principle 2: Competence

In the performance of their work, Members shall act competently, conscientiously and responsibly.

Members must be able to provide the knowledge, the ability and the financial and technical resources appropriate for their work.

Principle 3: Relationships

Members shall respect the relevant rights and interests of others.

If you would like to find out more please contact a member of our team. You can find our contact details here.