The 20 shortlisted early-career designers have used their training as a jumping-off point for specialisms in sustainable design, harnessing emerging technologies and helping build a more inclusive profession
Twenty talented early-career designers have been shortlisted for this year’s RIBAJ Rising Stars, in association with Origin.
They have used their architectural training as a jumping-off point for specialisms in areas such as sustainability, low carbon and Passivhaus design, international and community outreach, and investigating and making the most of emerging technologies. They are delivering projects in both larger practices and in their own practices.
Read on for an inspirational idea of what they have been doing and where they might be going next. The winning cohort of Rising Stars will be announced on 22 October 2024.
Dion Barrett, founder, Architecture.Film Architectural filmmaker dedicated to communicating the architectural process.
Matt Bonney, project architect and sustainability lead, GCP Chartered Architects Sustainability advocate with expertise in energy assessment, Passivhaus design and life cycle assessment.
Nichola Barrington-Leach, director and architect, NVBL Architects Founder of international collaborative platform for emerging practices.
Edward Couper, architect, WilkinsonEyre Combines working for an international practice with a long-term initiative to build climate change resilience in Pacific island communities.
Lucas Facer, director, Lucas Facer Architects Leads a research-based practice focused on repair over new build, adopting circular economy and regenerative design principles.
Andrew Jackson, founder, Andrew Jackson Architects Entrepreneurial architect whose innovations include an AI-powered application to minimise the negative impacts of value engineering.
Katie Fisher, architect and founder, CARD Projects (Collaboration, Agency, Research, Design) Dedicated to empowering agency in the built environment, and driving positive change in the profession.
Dhruv Gulabchande, associate director and architect, HFM Architects; founder and lead mentor, Narrative Practice; associate lecturer, UAL Promotes diversity in the profession through mentoring.
Andre Kong, architect, Andre Kong Studio and Heatherwick Studio Balances role at Heatherwick Studio with smaller-scale architecture at his own practice.
Poppy Levison, Part 2 architecture student, Royal College of Art Disability activist drawing on her experience as a blind woman to advocate for inclusive design.
Stephen Parker, architect and mental health planner, Stantec Architecture On a mission to create therapeutic environments that support mental wellbeing.
Heather McNeill, director, A D Practice; Passivhaus designer Sustainable design advocate delivering Passivhaus, Passivhaus Plus and Enerphit Plus projects.
Chun-Li Reid, founder, BOLD, Part 2 architectural assistant Creator of BOLD, a platform exploring concepts for social change including Cooking with an Architect, a show that considers architecture through the lens of taste.
Maia Rollo, Part 2 architectural assistant, Nimtim Architects Committed to co-creation with communities, as well as diversifying the profession as a course leader for the Accelerate programme at Open City.
Gideon Seglah, architect, HLM Architects Advocate for diversity, equity and inclusivity both at HLM Architects and within the wider profession through collaborations with organisations including Blueprint for All and Beyond the Box.
Marina Strotz, associate director, Intervention Architecture Dedicated to integrating nature into the built environment.
Catherine Sinclair, architect, Space Architects; KTP associate, Northumbria University Working to reduce whole-life carbon from the earliest design stages.
Savannah Williams, architect; founder, POC in Architecture Supporting and mentoring people of colour in the profession.
Jaina Valji, architect and director, Copy and Space Founder of a digital twin technology company and advocate for the broader adoption of AI in architecture.
Ran Xiao, chief executive, Planarific Pioneering the use of AI to reduce carbon emissions from existing housing stock.