The winners of the 2024 RIBA Scott Brownrigg Award for Sustainable Development have been announced.

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.

This year's 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

Congratulations to the winning team, and thank you for joining us at our London Studio to present your proposal. A fascinating project and we look forward to understanding more about the positive impact this could have on the UK construction sector.

For more information about the RIBA Scott Brownrigg Award for Sustainable Development, visit the RIBA website.