Team of the Year Winner

22 Bishopsgate stands as the tallest tower on the City of London skyline. Many key roles in its creation were female-led; unusual for a project of its scale and location. Female collaborators included Investors, Architects, City Planners, Artists, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Lawyers, Contractors and Statutory Bodies. The team worked to create a building that professionals would be happy to work in.

Karen Cook, Lead Architect and PLP Founding Partner, was initially involved at the site at KPF for The Pinnacle, which ultimately foundered in the global financial crisis. In 2012, Sir Stuart Lipton approached Karen to create a new design that would be more efficient and function to a higher standard. Despina Katsikakis, Cushman & Wakefield’s Head of Occupier Business Performance, advised on defining a focus on people’s health, wellbeing and productivity. Karen refined this vision, building a team around her to create a vertical village in the City of London. This new vision convinced AXA-IM, led by Anne Kavanagh, then Global Head of Asset Management, and the 50% female-led investor club, to invest in 22 Bishopsgate, despite the Brexit referendum. The current CEO at AXA-IM, Isabelle Scemama, continues to support the development; AXA is one of multiple tenants.

Amy Holtz, PLP Director and Head of Sustainability, co-managed the architectural design, coordinated the multi-disciplinary team and served as the main liaison between the client and contractor. Angela Parrozzani brought clarity to complicated basements compiled from three pre-existing building foundations. Ines Mateus detailed the three-storey entrance hall that serves as the civic face of the building. Mariangeles Fernandez led the development of the façade alongside PLP Partner and façade specialist, Rob Peebles. Mariangeles worked closely with Katharina Hausmann, project manager at Gartner, to realise the external skin of the building.

LRD’s Lydia Morrow managed stakeholder relationships, ensuring smooth delivery alongside AECOM’s Kallirroi Deligianni and Helen Smith, employer’s representatives who managed procurement, contract administration and client-monitoring teams.

During construction, exceptional female leadership guided Multiplex. Design manager Erin Kingston was a conduit between professional and construction teams. Janet Paul, Construction Manager, held everyone’s respect through her friendly and no-nonsense management of the site. 22 Bishopsgate was awarded Community Engagement Project of the Year thanks largely to Social Value Manager Amy Dawson’s dedication.

Team of the Year Highly Commended

Housing for women, by women - 546 W 13th Avenue, Vancouver, GBL Architects

Soroptimist is a global volunteer organisation that “improves the lives of women and girls” by providing access to education and training in order to achieve economic empowerment. The non-profit organisation partnered with developer, Purpose Driven, on this innovative housing redevelopment. GBL Architects were also on board to assemble a team that included experienced female leads in 14 different disciplines, including structural, electric, and mechanical engineers, building code and sustainability consultants. PFS Studio served as the project’s Landscape Architect.

Purpose Driven Development is a Vancouver-based real estate development and planning firm that has been leading award-winning developments to create communities where everyone can thrive. For over two decades, Purpose Driven has partnered with developers, governments, First Nations and non-profits to deliver over $1 billion in complex, mixed-use developments in Canada’s top markets. CEO and Founder, Carla Guerrera, helped to develop the project’s vision and is working to secure project financing and regulatory requirements.

Amela Brudar joined GBL Architects in 1994, became an associate in 1999 and a principal in 2008. She is passionate about the art of architecture and is always questioning and refining the vision and direction of the firm. Amela is also Managing Partner of GBL Architects and is responsible for the running of daily operations of a 70-person architectural and interior design studio. She was attracted to the initiative because of Soroptomist’s vision and its being a “global voice for women” since 1921.

Kelty McKinnon is a Landscape Architect and Principal at PFS Studio. With over 20 years of professional experience, Kelty brings a diverse background in landscape architecture, art and environmental studies to all of the projects she leads.

Through the team’s bold and unique vision for women’s housing, they were able to overcome the challenges of the site’s constraints and obtain unanimous City Council approval that maximises opportunities for necessary affordable homes.

Team of the Year Shortlist

The Chuan - Rossana Hu , Neri&Hu Design and Research Office; Tracy Kwan , Pernod Ricard Asia; Cecile Hitier , Pernod Ricard Asia

Warwick Court- Mari Samuelsen, Fletcher Priest Architects

The Rosalind Franklin Institute Delivery Team, IBI Group