What to expect in this session

The 3 foundational modules cover an introduction to Sustainability and its 3 pillars, introductions to System Thinking and themes related to life cycle value and carbon measurements. 

Module 1 defines and expands the term 'Sustainability' and how it applies to strategic and daily decisions. 

Module 2 defines and measures Value; we expand on the definition of value in projects, how to target and measure the issues that matter most, and ensure maximum return on investment for a sustainable result. 

Module 3 introduces the Net Zero and Whole Life Carbon terms and defines what these are and how they relate to corporate commitments, daily projects and real estates strategies. 

The main introduction to Sustainability will allow an accessible entry into the topic for all project, client, and industry roles. This series of live online training courses is for designers, consultants and construction professionals who want to upskill and gain confidence with foundational knowledge in sustainability. 

Tutors: Your tutors for this session will be Elina Grigoriou and Amy Bettison, who between them have decades of experience within the fields of sustainability, Net Zero and Whole Life Carbon, specifically in relation to the built environment. If you would like to find out more about them, you can find their bios at the end of this page.

Format: The sessions will include parts with delegate interaction for active learning, and allow time for open discussion in a Q&A format, aiming for no more than 3 hours beginning to end. It will be hosted as a Zoom meeting to allow for discussion and recording to allow participants to catchup or revisit the content for 2 months. 

If there are any particular questions you would like to highlight prior to the session, please email them to us at [email protected].


Following this course you will...

Have a complete understanding of the term Sustainability, how it should be used in it's correct meaning and the vocabulary to engage with sustainability conversations during project strategy, concept and delivery stages.

  • Feel confident engaging in sustainability related conversations.

  • Understand the various terminologies and acronyms and how they relate to your work as a designer, client-side decision-maker, and construction professional.

  • Inform and direct project and design decisions for clients and occupants high value return.

V&A's Design & Project Management training case study

Find out what the design and project management teams had to say on their actions to upskill and implement into daily projects, the knowledge to achieve sustainable results that meet the Museum's Net Zero and Circularity aims.

Read about the V&A's sustainable design journey...

Instructor(s)

Design & Sustainability Director Elina Grigoriou

Elina is a London-based interior designer, sustainability specialist and wellbeing expert. The co-founder of Grigoriou Interiors, one of the UK’s leading design and sustainability studios, she helps clients become the best they can be and get the most from their people and places. A powerhouse of inspiration and innovation, Elina has been leading and shaping the commercial interior design sector for the past two decades – creating spaces that unlock social and environmental value, make a meaningful impact on peoples’ lives and enhance clients’ financial bottom line. Working at the heart of the latest industry developments, Elina regularly partners with national and global institutions to raise awareness of designing for sustainability and wellbeing and to drive best practice within the built environment. She was instrumental in developing and establishing the SKArating system during its incubation at RICS from 2008-2023. Following its re-homing she has become a director and chair of the SKArating board. In recognition of her commitment to promoting sustainability within the property sector, she was awarded Honorary Membership to the RICS for life in 2017. Elina contributes to numerous industry standards around sustainability, Net Zero, circularity, wellbeing and relevant industry guides, was voted one of the Top 50 Rising Stars of Sustainability by Building magazine, and is regularly invited to offer expert opinion and speak at public events. In 2019, her book Wellbeing in Interiors was published by RIBA which has had a visible impact in shaping practise and inspiring others.

Elina's LinkedIn Profile

Senior Sustainability Trainer Amy Bettison

Amy is an international sustainability consultant with a background in architecture and building services design. Having worked for leading engineering consultancies in London, Singapore and the United States, Amy has extensive experience in conducting SKA Rating, BREAAM and LEED sustainability assessments in commercial contexts right across the globe. Based in the east coast of the USA, she works remotely to offer leading support to many of our projects, with a particular focus on net-zero, whole life carbon and sustainability training.