This month at Buro Happold – December 2024

Happy New Year. In this month's issue, we share highlights from our 2024 Annual Review. The Edit 2024 looks back over the last 12 months, showcasing our exceptional people and projects and providing insights about the impact of our work at a transformative time for the practice.???

CEO update: A window into Buro Happold

‘Exceptional’ is an important word at Buro Happold. It’s a promise that we make to our clients and to anyone joining our practice, and one that we aspire to achieve by enabling individuality, curiosity and innovation.

The Edit is a window into Buro Happold – our people, the motivations that drive us and the stories of where our work has touched clients, communities and climate change issues around the world.

This year’s edition of The Edit is a curated set of stories illustrating what we can achieve when we harness the best of Buro Happold, and how we approach all our work with a keen sense of how it will matter to people, places and planet.

Read the full introduction from Buro Happold CEO, Oliver Plunkett, here >

Employee voices – our impact

The skills, expertise and experience of our people are the foundations of all Buro Happold does. Here, they reflect on the impact we have had as a practice, and share with us the projects and initiatives they believe best demonstrate the impact of Buro Happold from the past year.

Watch the full video of our employee voices here >

Addressing urban heat challenges

We are facing multiple climate change related crises. How we respond to this challenge, and how we improve the health and wellbeing of people, places, and the planet in doing so, is critical.

Burscheid, a town in Germany, recognised the urgent need to address the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which posed significant health challenges for the community. To pave the way for a sustainable future, they turned to the experts at Buro Happold for a comprehensive plan.

Learn more about the Burscheid Heat Action Plan, developed by Buro Happold, here >

Building resilience for a changing climate

Climate hazards threaten our built environment. Resilience measures, alongside emission reduction and decarbonisation, are crucial.

Buro Happold and the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) are developing a Climate Resilience Roadmap to establish measurable metrics, key actions, and policy recommendations. This roadmap aims to create a climate-resilient built environment by 2050, integrating green infrastructure, resilient building designs, and efficient water management systems. Discover how these efforts are shaping a sustainable and resilient future.

Learn more about climate resilience and adaption action at Buro Happold here >

Social impact in the built environment

Every design choice impacts our environment, economies, and communities. At Buro Happold, we create spaces that foster wellbeing and resilience.

Discover our innovative projects like the Brent Cross Town Flourishing Index, which measures resident wellbeing to guide future development. Here, learn how we integrate community engagement and holistic approaches to ensure positive outcomes for people.

Explore our approach to social impact work here >

Cultural shift: the new opera houses of the Middle East

When the first grand opera to be produced in Saudi Arabia gave its opening performance back in April 2024, it was a landmark cultural moment. With a new era for opera and theatre-based entertainment now taking shape in the Kingdom, high culture venues are once again acting as a barometer of the nation’s cultural shifts.

Discover more about our work on the Royal Diriyah and Jeddah Opera Houses here >

Lighting the way for wildlife at Stratford Cross

The Royal Entomological Society Garden at Stratford Cross is a project where nature and urban space beautifully intertwine. A main avenue show garden at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, The Royal Entomological Society Garden is more than just a green space; it’s a vibrant ecosystem and educational site designed to put biodiversity at the heart of community life. Its arrival in east London was supported by Buro Happold.

We spoke to team members involved to find out more.

Learn more about Buro Happold’s role here >

Shaping the future of New York’s green economy

As with all corners of the world, New York City is feeling the effects of the climate crisis. To create a more competitive, inclusive, and prosperous city, the city has identified the need to maximise the economic benefits of the green transition.

How a future economy looks is critical to a successful, just transition. The transition to a green economy won’t happen automatically; we have to make it happen. Here, learn how Buro Happold is at the forefront of the necessary action to make a green economy a reality.

Discover the Green Economy Action Plan for New York City here >

Buro Happold’s experts are working on incredible projects all around the world, with many reaching significant milestones in 2025. Take a look at seven stand-out projects set to reach fruition here.

That’s it for this issue. As always, we would love to hear your feedback [email protected]. Don’t forget to subscribe and let others know if you enjoyed reading.