Christopher Matthews, Atelier One

Christopher is an Associate Director at Atelier One. With projects spanning unique buildings, global stadium shows, and record-breaking art installations. Atelier One specializes in briefs that go beyond traditional practice. His portfolio includes the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, the UK’s first concrete shell in 25 years (First Light Pavillion at Jodrell Bank), and the repurposing of the SEE Monster oil platform. Passionate about the next generation of design, Christopher is a leading advocate for regenerative materials and geometrical optimization. He is currently championing the structural use of bamboo in the UK.  

Niamh McCloskey, Curtins

Niamh is a chartered structural engineer and environmentalist with 10 years’ experience, working as a Technical Associate in Sustainability at Curtins. Her structural backgroundspans healthcare and education projects and complex refurbishment schemes, whilst her current role is as the technical lead for project and operational sustainability. Niamh’s focus areas include embodied carbon, circular economy, and driving sustainable business practices across the organisation. Niamh sits on the IStructE Climate Emergency Task Group and also the Association of Consulting Engineers Climate Change Group.

Simon Smith, Smith and Wallwork

Simon is a co-founder of Smith and Wallwork and a chartered structural engineer. He has worked on a huge variety of building projects ranging from small bespoke houses through to super-tall buildings. Simon works closely with clients and design teams from the very early stages of a project to get the optimum solution. Recently he has been focusing on reducing the environmental impact of construction and materials used. His work in the field was recognised by the ‘Green Guru’ engineering award from Building magazine. Past and recent projects include: The Forum in Norwich, The Berlin Stock Exchange, Milton Keynes Theatre and Art Gallery, and the re-modelling and refurbishment of the historic Somerset House Easy Wing.

Anna Wendt, Buro Happold

Anna is a Partner and Global Discipline Director of Façade Engineering at Buro Happold and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers. Her focus is on interdisciplinary project delivery, extending her deep technical façade expertise to bring together a range of highly specialist engineering disciplines. Anna is passionate and focused on maximising the opportunities within the building fabric to ensure an empathetic, climate conscious approach is taken to building design incorporating practical solutions to measuring embodied carbon and operational carbon ultimately aiming to deliver resilient net-zero solutions for the built environment. 

Victoria Martin, BDP

Victoria is an award-winning structural engineer and Fellow of the IStructE. She has led a wide range of complex projects and collaborated with internationally renowned architects including Ian Ritchie, Daniel Libeskind, Renzo Piano and Hopkins. Her portfolio includes major projects such as the Great Ormand Street Hospital Cancer Centre, the restoration of Leighton House Museum, and a new laboratory complex for the John Innes Centre. She is currently the civil and structural lead on the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme. Victoria is actively involved in the wider profession, having served as a trustee of the IStructE and on the RIBA Awards jury. She also contributes to education and mentoring across the industry.