About the event

SmallCarbon is an embodied and whole-life carbon assessment tool created by Studio Bark in collaboration with tech company Looper and environmental engineers Etude. Developed initially with grant funding from Innovate UK, SmallCarbon aims to provide an intuitive platform for carbon counting aimed particularly towards the needs of SMEs. Focusing on usability, accessibility and customisation, the tool aims to remove barriers and enable integration of carbon optimisation within the design process.

Design practices are at different stages in their carbon journey, but the imperative for the industry to understand, reduce and report the carbon impact of our designs is only set to increase. Currently only a small proportion of practices undertake in-house carbon studies, with many citing complexity, time-constraints and software costs as barriers. While mandatory reporting in the UK is currently required by only a handful of local authorities, clients are increasingly aware of the issue, and many design awards require project carbon data to be submitted.

Whether you are new to embodied carbon or already familiar with assessment types, this training event will explain how and why this tool was developed, and how it can assist you and your team.

About the speakers

Hannah Towler - Associate Director

Hannah joined Studio Bark in 2019, and is demonstrably passionate about low-impact environmental design. With a talent for distilling complex ideas into engaging visual and narrative content, she has played a pivotal role in the studio’s innovative
practice. Her expertise includes working with natural materials, such as straw bale and earth construction in the UK and Portugal. In addition, she was involved in the pioneering student-build Nest House project, which showcased the innovative U-Build system.

Misbah Mahmood Asim - Associate

Misbah joined Studio Bark in 2022 as an architect with experience across all RIBA stages, predominantly in the private residential sector. Misbah is part of the team developing the SmallCarbon tool, with the ambition to help increase carbon literacy and environmental design in the industry.

Tom Bennett - Director

Tom is an architect and director at Studio Bark with an environmental focus. He has spearheaded initiatives to develop in-house energy modelling, retrofit assessments and lifecycle / whole-life carbon accounting processes. Tom is also engaged in making change beyond the work place, pushing for more rapid transition to a post-carbon society. In 2019 he helped to found ACAN (Architects Climate Action Network) where he currently serves on the steering group; and also periodically gives talks and guest lectures on the intersection between architecture and climate activism.