Bath-headquartered design and planning consultancy Nash Partnership has promoted associate architect Paul Miller to director of sustainability in a move that reflects the practice’s long-term approach.
A qualified architect with more than 20 years’ experience gained in London and the South West, Paul, pictured, will lead and shape Nash Partnership’s existing sustainability strategy, which is central to the business.
In the client-facing part of the role, Paul will provide practical and impactful advice, which can be viable and sensibly applied to the context of each project.
Another important element of the role will be to keep abreast of developments in sustainability as the field continues to evolve, and to implement relevant changes in the practice’s designs, systems, processes and operations.
Nash Partnership, which launched more than 30 years ago, has aligned itself with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) used to frame the agenda for change, working towards sustainable development.
The firm said Paul, who joins practice’s senior tier – which includes colleagues from the practice’s heritage, architecture, planning and placemaking teams – was known for bringing a passion for design to his work coupled with the ability to inspire others and solve problems with intellectual rigour.
He also understood the importance of buildability, with hands-on experience gained through working on building sites, it said.
His career includes designing sustainable buildings and places, from individual homes through to new neighbourhoods and masterplans.
Among the projects Paul has worked on are the regeneration of Bristol’s Southmead Estate, pictured, where he helped prepare a high-level masterplan vision with around 300 new, low-carbon homes to suit the local need for smaller apartments in an area concentrated with large family homes.
He also worked on low-impact housing schemes in Taunton and Exeter that included the use of high levels of insulation and elimination of cold bridging, supported by a combination of air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels with battery storage, MVHR and waste water heat recovery systems, along with EV vehicle and cycle hire space and areas for habitat creation and connections for wildlife.
Nash partner Daniel Lugsden said: “Sustainability has been a priority for us for some time now and of course will continue to be so this year.
“Part of Paul’s brief is to ensure a practice-wide approach while ensuring up-to-date thinking is applied in every aspect.
“With Paul’s passion and experience in this area, and under his leadership and guidance, our sustainability strategy is in great hands.”
Paul added: “We’re applying a great deal of global thinking to our project designs and business operations alike.
“While one solution does not fit all, understanding the balance of priority will help to form the appropriate sustainable strategy.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the benefits of our cumulative knowledge with clients who – like us – understand the influence of design in helping to tackle the climate emergency.”
Nash Partnership, which also has an office in Bristol, encourages a team-focused, creative culture that is geared to working on small and large projects – from individual homes to large-scale urban regeneration projects.
