Each year our Future Thinker of The Year awards brings together some of the most innovative, passionate and exciting up-and-coming voices in driving for better futures through sustainability. Now in its sixth year, it’s safe to say that we’ve seen some inspiring young leaders go on to make their mark in the sector and become positive change-makers contributing to a greener built environment in Aotearoa.
Every year, our judging panel and the NZGBCD team is blown away by the diverse backgrounds and ambition of the nominees so through the “Future Thinkers, where are they now?” series we’re touching base with past finalists and winners, exploring the journey their careers have taken so far, their learnings, and thoughts on making the property and construction sectors more sustainable.
Madison Fleming
Madison was a finalist in the 2021 FTOTY awards. She is an Architectural Graduate and a founding member of Jasmax’s Carbon Research team, which leads the practice’s Pathway to Net Zero Carbon initiative. Her Architecture Master’s Thesis at Victoria University of Wellington focused on ‘Embodied Carbon Footprint in Medium Density Housing Design’, the learnings from which she is applying into practice at Jasmax. A member of the Education team, Madison is focused on how different product and construction systems can reduce embodied carbon. She is currently working on the documentation and construction phase of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) A1 Building.
What drives your passion for your mahi in the sustainability space?
If anyone is to close their eyes and imagine their favourite place in Aotearoa, it’s mostly always somewhere in nature – the beach, a lake, out on the water, a park, a forest. My passion for sustainability is driven by principles of kaitiakitanga, wanting to protect and preserve the natural environment.
The built environment is responsible for approximately 20% of Aotearoa’s emissions, and up to 40% globally. As an architectural designer in the industry, I feel like I have a personal responsibility to design sustainably. What we are building today is contributing to the built environment for the next 100 years, and if we are to limit the effects of planetary warming, it is essential for the industry to build to resource and climatic pressures.
What has been biggest professional challenge and how have you overcome it?
I graduated from University at the end of 2019, and having progressed from writing a Master’s thesis on low carbon design to applying my knowledge to real projects in the real world has helped me better understand the challenges and obstacles to de-carbonisation. My challenges are the industry’s challenges – how do we tackle the implementation of low carbon design together, and hold ourselves accountable for the future. How do we make life cycle analysis and low carbon design the norm and not the exception.
What has been your career highlight so far?
A career highlight has been working on the AUT A1 building, which is due for completion in April 2024. The project is a 10,000 sqm 4-storey building for the University, utilising an innovative post-tensioned LVL timber structure combined with the refurbishment and adaptive reuse of an existing 40-year-old building. Seeing this project progress from 2D drawings, to a hole in the ground, and now a building has been incredible.
As well as my project work, I’ve had the opportunity to consult with Government agencies (MBIE and the MoE) regarding carbon regulations and standardisation of carbon assessment reporting. It has been rewarding and fulfilling to be a part of such influential work that is shaping the industry and our future.
I was a part of the creation of Jasmax’s Pathway to Net Zero Carbon Design Framework, which sets ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions to levels required for Aotearoa to reach net zero carbon by 2050. Seeing this framework being used in practice has been incredibly gratifying.
What is the biggest challenge of bringing a low-carbon mindset to building projects?
I’ve worked on life cycle analyses for a range of building typologies, ranging from Schools, to Universities, Interior Fit-outs, and Commercial buildings. I think at times it can be a challenge to make significant and meaningful carbon reductions on all projects, not just the ones that have a lot of fee to use cutting edge technologies and building systems. Though that’s not to say that we’re not up for the challenge!
On a similar note, bringing a low-carbon mindset to projects can be quite specific to each building – there’s no one size fits all in terms of carbon reduction strategies. There are methods that can be applied to a wide range of projects, however, building typology and environmental context can play a large role (e.g. site, soil conditions, climate). Whilst this can at times be a challenge, it’s also a great opportunity to build up an accumulative knowledge of what works in specific contexts.
What actions can society and individuals take to continue to de-carbonise and create a more sustainable future?
Implementation of low carbon building is accelerating. I think that the opportunities to contribute to de-carbonisation professionally are growing, especially as understanding of the field grows and the need for specialist knowledge.
Do you believe we are seeing positive change in Aotearoa to create a more sustainable built environment?
Reducing whole of life carbon emissions is a key challenge for our industry to address. Generally, there has been a growing awareness and understanding of carbon over the last few years, and we are seeing positive change to design and construct sustainable buildings.
Knowledge about carbon gives designers the power to make positive change. As a result, life cycle analysis and low carbon design is becoming more common. I believe that we’re currently at the tipping point of changing business as usual. Upcoming MBIE Building for Climate Change regulations with carbon reporting, and subsequent carbon caps, may be that push we need to change how we do things - a paradigm shift to consider carbon, as well as the typical time, cost, and quality.
Do developers and property owners understand the need to design and construct low carbon building stock?
From my experience, there is a growing awareness and objective to decarbonise in the Education Sector, specifically with our Tertiary clients who are motivated and ambitious.
Being long term owners and occupiers of their buildings, they recognise the benefit of investment in sustainable design as it goes hand in hand with occupant wellness when you consider energy efficiency, indoor air quality, low carbon materials, biophilia and connection to nature etc – the list of positive outcomes is endless!
A number of recent/ current Jasmax Tertiary projects have demonstrated a reduction in embodied carbon that exceeds our 2030 carbon target, through the use of varying degrees of mass timber structure and adaptive reuse. These are the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) A1 building, Auckland University B201 building, and the University of Canterbury Beatrice Tinsley building.
Carbon isn’t just captured in what we design in its physical form, but is influenced by how we occupy and behave within a building. Our Tertiary clients recognise this, and we’re seeing a change in working and learning styles that enable maximum flexibility of the design over the building’s life. This reduces the need for future retrofits and any associated emissions.
If you could give any advice to yourself five years ago, what would that be?
Five years ago, I was writing my thesis on reducing embodied carbon in medium density housing through design decisions. At the time, embodied carbon wasn’t as common in the industry as it is now, but I’m beyond glad that I pursued that passion.
I consider myself very lucky in that I wouldn’t change anything from the past five years. I’ve been fortunate to have worked on some exemplary low carbon projects and have had the opportunity to influence how we do things in practice, and in the wider industry.
The only advice I would give myself would be to keep on keeping on! Stick with your passion for low carbon design, and run with it.
Lastly, what do you love about your mahi?
It is immensely rewarding delivering sustainable projects that are mutually beneficial to both people and the environment - and all whilst working with the most talented and inspiring colleagues, consultant, and contractor teams. I truly do love my mahi, and am excited for what the future holds!