Catherine Sinclair
KTP Associate / Architect specialising in Zero Carbon
Specialising in whole-life carbon reduction, Catherine Sinclair, Architect, Passivhaus Designer, and Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate at SPACE Architects, has made significant contributions to the architectural field, earning her recognition as one of the RIBA Journal's Rising Stars 2024. Her work exemplifies leadership in innovation, underpinned by a commitment to environmental stewardship.
At present, Catherine conducts an important KTP between SPACE Architects and Northumbria University, leading the development of the SPACE Digital Carbon Model. This pioneering tool integrates embodied and operational carbon analysis at the earliest design stages, enabling architects to make informed, low-carbon decisions from the offset. Her research reshapes industry practices by embedding sustainability into the foundation of design processes, addressing the climate emergency through actionable solutions.
Her dedication extends beyond research. Catherine actively shares her expertise, delivering lectures at Northumbria University and as a key contributor to our _shift conference. This year, Catherine presented on Early Stage Design Decisions. She joined Retrofit lead of Sewell Group and Head of Business Partnerships at Low Carbon Materials on a panel titled "The Hidden Footprint: Reducing Embodied Carbon". Earlier in the year, Catherine was also invited to present her research on embodied carbon reduction at the European Conference on Computing in Construction (EC3) 2024 in Crete.
As a qualified architect, Catherine Sinclair holds both a BA (Hons) and an MArch in Architecture from Northumbria University. During her master's degree, Catherine focused on the adaptive reuse of a historic derelict building in Newcastle, with the aim of promoting community development and a circular economy.
The final panel of _shift 2023 was chaired by Chris Hines and featured two young founders of analytics-driven companies, and Catherine Sinclair, a Northumbria University KTP Associate and Specialist Net Zero Architect of SPACE Architects.
During _shift 2024, Catherine Sinclair delivered a compelling talk on reducing whole-life carbon through early-stage design decisions. Her research and practical insights offered architects and built environment professionals a clear path toward aligning their practices with net-zero goals.
Catherine's Videos
"We need to make sure that technological advancements are available to all. We must ensure there is the necessary training available for accessible software so that it can be implemented and adopted company-wide"
Catherine's current work involves publishing a paper on the incorporation of post-consumer Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mesh into concrete bricks, which enhances their tensile strength. Through her research, Catherine discovered that incorporating post-consumer PET is an efficient method to minimize the environmental impact of concrete, while also providing a new purpose for plastic waste. She is currently participating in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Space Architects and Northumbria University. The objective of the KTP is to create the Space Digital Carbon Model, which will integrate embodied and operational carbon in a single analysis approach. The project aims to gather low-carbon design data and information, creating digital tools that facilitate the consideration and implementation of carbon reduction at the initial stage of design. The completion of the KTP will provide a verified framework for the development of Space Architects' net-zero buildings through the Space Digital Carbon Model. Catherine's work on carbon research is a unique area of specialism in architectural practice, which she hopes to embed into all projects as part of the design process.