What to expect in each part of the course

The course is delivered on-demand.

  • MODULE 1 - SUSTAINABILITY, NET ZERO & WLC

    The course starts with an introduction of Sustainability and what it is. We explore the terms Net Zero, WLC, EPDs, science-based targets and contextualise what the Paris agreement has to do with proposed industry and project carbon benchmarks. The session duration is 2.5hrs.

  • MODULE 2 - CIRCULARITY

    Overview of what constitutes circular design and economy and how it relates to low carbon design. Detailed exploration of the various circularity design and procurement approaches and examples of all from real life scenarios. Review of the roles and responsibilities to enable successful circularity on projects. Interactive session of exploring delegate's own opportunities for circularity in current projects. The session duration is 3hrs.

  • MODULE 3 - IN PRACTICE & PROCESSES

    The course completes with a review of WLC and circularity measurement tools, practical demonstration of designing and delivering projects to WLC and circularity targets. A review of scenarios and real life examples bring to life and offer tangible examples. Workshop exploring delegates' own projects is included for better learning and immediate applications. The session duration is 3hrs.

"...a hugely inspiring and practical course, thank you SO much Elina Grigoriou for sharing your passion and knowledge - everyone working in design and projects should do it!"


Sara Kassam, Sustainability Manager, V&A Museum

Module 1 Curriculum

The following subjects are covered during this module. They include an interactive session.

  • Sustainability pillars

  • What is Net Zero?

  • WLC carbon & Life Cycle Cost (LCC)

  • Operation & Embodied carbon

  • Science-based and circularity targets

  • Net Zero targets and environmental assessment schemes

  • LCA thinking & LCA stages

  • Carbon sequestration

  • EPDs

Session 2 Curriculum

The following subjects are covered during this module. They include an interactive session.

  • What is Circular Design & Economy Circular models

  • System thinking and system design

  • Link to WLC carbon and cost

  • Design with the end in mind

  • Breakout session: working through your live examples in teams

  • Review examples together

  • Making a design & system circular in practice

  • Roles, Responsibilities & Initiative in the wider team

Module 3 Curriculum

The following subjects are covered during this module. They include an interactive session.

  • Measuring carbon in practice

  • Tools and data introduction

  • Working through iterations, data quality and refinement

  • Modelling real examples

  • Group discussion on approaches

  • Wider team engagement

  • How to specify and tender to net zero and circularity

  • 3-Line Aims & Reporting

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)

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.

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