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Feature Friday: Angela Dapper

In addition to her role as Principal at Grimshaw, Angela Dapper holds a number of other positions, which include; Mayor’s Design Advocate for the Mayor of London, RIBA London Councillor, advisor to the RIBA Architects for Change, Part 3 examiner… and many more!

We were fortunate enough to get some time to talk with Angela amongst her busy schedule recently as part of our Feature Friday series.

WOD: How did you become involved with the workspace sector?

AD: “As an architect I have always been interested in larger buildings and spaces that really impact the way we live and work. I really enjoy workspace and understanding the changing ways we work, as it shows how progressive we are becoming as a society when we provide high quality responsive healthy workplaces.”

WOD: What are the key issues relevant to your client base at the moment?

AD: “Environmental sustainability is at the top of our clients’ agendas, and we would be reticent to work with anyone where that wasn’t the case. Reduction of embodied carbon and reduction of energy use, whilst balancing with whole life carbon and end of life recycling is what we are currently designing for. Health and wellbeing are also key, supporting staff in their workplace has been a key objective post covid, which is great as its an area we have been focussed on for the past few years, so its great that it has moved up our client’s agendas.”

WOD: What do you find both challenging and rewarding about environmental sustainability?

AD: “It is an area where we are constantly learning and challenging the industry. The solutions and knowledge are not always instantly available or evident, so it’s an area that needs focus and attention. It’s also quite satisfying to work on sustainability initiatives as they are continually improving and innovating.”

WOD: Can you provide an example of recent project or you have worked on, and tell us what makes it stand out to you…

AD: “My most recent completed office project is 20 Farringdon Street, London, for HB Reavis, which I completed at my previous practice, Denton Corker Marshall.

Although designed and completed a couple of years ago now, it reflects the way we were looking office space around experience, health + wellbeing and flexibility – all aspects that are essential in workspace today. 

Embedded intuitive design is key to changing behaviours and this project has some great examples of that, including designing the stairwell to be front and centre – to encourage people away from the lifts and to take the stair  – to improve health and reduce energy.”

Read the full Feature Friday interview with Angela, as well as interviews with all of our previous guests, by joining WOD Digital today.