Penny Lecture: Design with Nature

Cullinan Studio designs innovative buildings and masterplans that harness the power and beauty of nature for a better, more sustainable way of living. Buildings that connect people with nature are happier, healthier and more productive places. They’re better for the wellbeing of our communities and our planet.

Kristina Roszynski and Carol Costello, partners at Cullinan Studio, will discuss recent projects including Marlborough Sports Garden with a focus on the World Earth Day theme of Planet vs Plastics and our collaboration with London South Bank University on energy projects research.

Above: The new community hub building at Marlborough Sports Garden in the London Borough of Southwark is designed according to Circular Economy principles: collaborating with local users, preserving existing structures, using reclaimed and sustainable materials, incorporating nature and designing for long-term flexibility.

BIOS

Kristina Roszynski 

Senior Partner, Cullinan Studio / Director, GreenSCIES Centre of Excellence

Kristina has worked as an architect at Cullinan Studio for over 25 years, specialising in low energy retrofits of workplace, schools, and homes.  

For the past 3 years, Kristina has collaborated on GreenSCIES, a research project led by London South Bank University (LSBU), GreenSCIES is a Smart Local Energy System (SLES), which is a heat network that can deliver low-carbon heat, power and mobility and utilises recoverable heat sources. She has taken on the role of Director of the GreenSCIES Centre of Excellence established at LSBU in The Heating and Cooling Research Group with a mission to accelerate the roll out of Smart Local Energy Systems to provide affordable low-carbon energy and create resilient communities.  

Carol Costello

Practice Leader, Cullinan Studio

Carol is a Practice Leader at Cullinan Studio. With over 25 years’ experience practicing architecture, Carol has led the design of significant cultural, educational, and infrastructure projects, including Kew Gardens Herbarium, RHS Garden Hyde Hall Hilltop, the BFI Master Film Store, the National Automotive Innovation Centre at the University of Warwick and Bunhill 2 Energy Centre in Islington. Carol has helped people navigate not only the design journey, but also the cultural and organisational change required to occupy new buildings once completed.

Amongst her professional activities, Carol is part of the ASBP working group on reducing plastics in construction and oversees our commitment to the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. Alongside her professional activities, Carol is passionate about walkable cities, community food growing, and creating career opportunities in architecture for less advantaged young people.

CULLINAN STUDIO

Cullinan Studio designs innovative buildings and masterplans that harness the power and beauty of nature for a better, more sustainable way of living. Founded in 1965 as a co-operative, they are the original collaborators and co-designers. They have a wealth of experience in creating bespoke buildings that achieve client goals and connect with communities and the natural world. Cullinan Studio is a team of designers, makers, planners and academics. Based in London, they have collaborated with private and public clients on award-winning projects across the world, including universities, hospitals and homes.

HEATING AND COOLING RESEARCH GROUP, LSBU

The Heating and Cooling Research Group at LSBU is a leading UK-based research team in the field of sustainable heating and cooling, with +30 years of experience in the field of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, with a strong focus on enhancing energy efficiency and promoting decarbonisation across industrial, commercial, and domestic applications. 

Further information:

• Cullinan Studio website: https://www.cullinanstudio.com/
• LSBU Heating and Cooling Research Group | LinkedIn
• Cullinan Studio LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/cullinanstudio
• Cullinan Studio Instagram: @cullinan_studio