Q+A with Alex Lawlor: Green Star Champion
We’re immensely proud that Alex Lawlor, our national lead for resilience and renewal, was recently awarded a Victorian Green Star Champion of 2024. Issued by the Green Building Council of Australia, the award recognises the vision, passion and commitment of leaders across our industry who strive to deliver a more sustainable built environment through the Green Star certification program.
We asked Alex what this award means to her, and what she has her sights set on next!
Question: What does this recognition mean for you and your company?
Alex: I was genuinely surprised to get this award – I feel more like a workhorse than a champion. Being recognised for Architectus’ Sustainability and Resilience Framework and how this moves the dial in the very un-sexy area of design management is really exciting. It’s a validation of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes that makes sure our clients’ environmental and social sustainability aspirations are pushed across the project lifecycle.
Question: Why are you passionate about sustainability in the industry?
Alex: Because I have to be. We all have to be. The building and design industries are responsible for over one third of our global emissions – but we have to think beyond emissions and think more deeply about the planet as our client, and what that means for design practise.
Question: What are you hoping to achieve within the industry moving forwards?
Alex: I firmly believe in the rising tide lifting all boats – it’s nice to be recognised as a Green Star Champion – and for me it’s about how I can push that out to our team and more broadly across the industry and client groups. We are about to review our Sustainability and Resilience Framework and it’s great to see how far we’ve moved in the just over 3 years since we launched. As a Sustainability leader your ambition is to be out of a job – because sustainability is embedded in everything the industry does.
Alex has worked tirelessly behind the scenes on many of our significant projects.We’re lucky to have her relentless energy in our ranks, pushing our projects towards better outcomes. Congratulations Alex!
Read more on Alex’s journey here.
