Elliott Wood

We wish you a festive holiday season. As we approach the end of the year, we're taking a moment to reflect and thank you for your collaboration. This year we celebrated our 30th anniversary and achieved several milestones: — 29 awards won — The OWO wins 'Hotel of the Year' at the AHEAD Europe Awards 2024 — Published our first B Corp Impact Report — Launch of The Building Archives We’re also proud of our key initiatives to support a better built environment: — ETHICS 2.0 — A call to action for our community — Overcoming insurance barriers to mass timber with the Commercial Timber Guidebook — Raising the bar on streel reuse with 30 Duke Street and 20 Giltspur Street Reflecting much of what we stand for, we hope they inspire fresh ideas for your projects. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. From all of us at Elliott Wood

'Put stock in hot bricks? The US asset manager, Blackrock, increased its stake in Ibstock Plc from 5% to 12%. It's now the largest shareholder in the UK’s biggest brickmaker. But a brick is just a brick, right? When you consider environmental and social factors, one brick starts looking very different from another. It turns out not all bricks are created equal.' — Ben Holmes Locally produced bricks can offer better sustainability and cultural outcomes for three reasons: 1. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Shipping a million clay bricks from Turkey to the UK produces over 29,000 kg of emissions. Local production can significantly cut transportation distances, saving carbon and cost while boosting regional economies. 2. 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 Bricks from some exporters have been linked to child labour and poor working conditions. By prioritising locally made bricks, we can reduce the risks of unethical practices in supply chains. 3. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 Local bricks reflect regional character, blending seamlessly with traditional architecture. From London Stock to Midlands Red, using local materials ensures new and restored buildings retain their sense of place. Where did your brick come from? Full story ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eQuhzadX ETHICS 2.0 ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/euc_Cu8A

'20 Giltspur Street was on an island. We are next to St Paul’s Cathedral — we can't build up. Tunnels and ancient archaeological structures below — we can't build down. A bank, public access and roads to the sides — we can't build out. But the brief is to maximise the potential of the existing building whilst minimising the environmental impacts of the works. Why don't we just lift the floors?' — George Georgiou 'But these constraints helped us to think inside the box. It helped us get to the wild card — jacking up existing floors up to create room for a new floor.' — Daniel Bassett Thanks to early collaboration and open minds, the project is set to achieve several milestones: 1) 30% gross area increase 2) 41% net area increase 3) 80% existing steel reused 4) Structural embodied carbon figures (A1-A5) of 89kgCO₂/m². For context, the 'Business as usual' low-carbon approach of new steel and timber hybrid was nearer to 150kgCO₂/m² for the same area gains. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gbsVP4dv Stephen Dorer, Deconstruct (UK) Ltd

'20 Giltspur Street was on an island. We are next to St Paul’s Cathedral — we can't build up. Tunnels and ancient archaeological structures below — we can't build down. A bank, public access and roads to the sides — we can't build out. But the brief is to maximise the potential of the existing building whilst minimising the environmental impacts of the works. Why don't we just lift the floors?' — George Georgiou 'But these constraints helped us to think inside the box. It helped us get to the wild card — jacking up existing floors up to create room for a new floor.' — Daniel Bassett Thanks to early collaboration and open minds, the project is set to achieve several milestones: 1) 30% gross area increase 2) 41% net area increase 3) 80% existing steel reused 4) Structural embodied carbon figures (A1-A5) of 89kgCO₂/m². For context, the 'Business as usual' low-carbon approach of new steel and timber hybrid was nearer to 150kgCO₂/m² for the same area gains. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gbsVP4dv Stephen Dorer, Deconstruct (UK) Ltd

Only six weeks until we make a splash at SwiMIPIM—our open water 1km or 2km swim held during MIPIM. Register your interest at https://lnkd.in/d8m3xEMZ 🌊 SwiMIPIM Exclusive Discount 🌊 With our event partners dMFK, we're offering all SwiMIPIM 2025 participants €200 off a London Club pass. To join the swim and access this exclusive offer, email kim.hunter@dmfk.co.uk Date: Morning of Wednesday 12 March 2025 Location: The London Stand at MIPIM, La Croisette Beach, Cannes Requirements: All participants must fundraise or donate a minimum of £250 for our charity partner Streets of London While this isn't a race—slow, confident swimmers are very welcome!—those seeking some healthy competition can certainly participate. Experienced lifeguards in kayaks will support all participants throughout the swim. #MIPIM2025 #SwiMIPIM

'A brick is just a brick, right? When you begin to consider environmental and social factors, one brick starts looking very different from another. It turns out not all bricks are not created equal.' — Andy Downey 'Locally-produced bricks can offer better sustainability and cultural outcomes. For example, let's look at emissions. Shipping a million clay bricks from Turkey to the UK produces over 29,000 kg of emissions. Local production can significantly cut transportation distances, saving carbon and cost while boosting regional economies. On top of that, bricks from some exporters have been linked to child labour and poor working conditions. By prioritising locally made bricks, we can reduce the risks of unethical practices in supply chains.' — Ben Holmes 'There are also heritage and local character considerations. Local bricks reflect regional character, blending seamlessly with traditional architecture. From London Stock to Midlands Red, using local materials ensures new and restored buildings retain their sense of place.' — Fraser Godfrey Do you know where your bricks came from? https://lnkd.in/eQuhzadX

'A brick is just a brick, right? When you begin to consider environmental and social factors, one brick starts looking very different from another. It turns out not all bricks are not created equal.' — Andy Downey 'Locally-produced bricks can offer better sustainability and cultural outcomes. For example, let's look at emissions. Shipping a million clay bricks from Turkey to the UK produces over 29,000 kg of emissions. Local production can significantly cut transportation distances, saving carbon and cost while boosting regional economies. On top of that, bricks from some exporters have been linked to child labour and poor working conditions. By prioritising locally made bricks, we can reduce the risks of unethical practices in supply chains.' — Ben Holmes 'There are also heritage and local character considerations. Local bricks reflect regional character, blending seamlessly with traditional architecture. From London Stock to Midlands Red, using local materials ensures new and restored buildings retain their sense of place.' — Fraser Godfrey Do you know where your bricks came from? https://lnkd.in/eQuhzadX

Another brick in the wall. Continuing with my posts on brick, Ben Holmes, Andy Downey and I explain how bricks having been helping us tell Britain's story for centuries. We need them to continue doing so for generations to come. The whole story https://lnkd.in/gNv_zr26

What meaningful impact can we have as an industry collective of B Corps in the built environment? That was the question up for discussion over breakfast at Elliott Wood this morning when we brought together an impressive group of fellow B Corps operating in the built environment to discuss how we can come together to amplify our impact. As individual businesses, we’re all doing a lot of great work, and facing similar challenges – but we all have ambitions to do more! Alongside our co-hosts Stride Treglown and FulkersBaileyRussell | Certified B Corp we’re excited to action some of today’s ideas! 

Are all bricks created equal? What implications does the production location have on carbon and human rights? Fraser Godfrey, Andy Downey and I looked into it. https://lnkd.in/eVpBYrfm