#10 Ninotschka Titchkosky | Re-imagining the built-world using sustainable, innovative and regenerative experiences.

Anyone who is involved in the fight against the climate crisis knows the familiar frustration at how there aren't system-changing requirements in place already. But there are companies that are consistently driving the push for this kind of foundational structure change, and BVN Architecture is one of these inspiring groups in Australia. 

Today we are speaking to Ninotschka Titchkosky, co-CEO of this leading architecture firm, who is here to share their vision of the future: smarter, more creative, and better for the planet! BVN's core purpose is to design a better future through re-imagining the built-world using sustainable, innovative and regenerative experiences. We dive into the four pillars on which this future trajectory is based, which are regenerative practice, to eliminate waste, accelerating advanced technologies, and inspire and influence. 

In this episode, you'll hear all the incredible ways in which they are already well on their journey of personifying these practices. The listener will hear about some examples of the firm's use of new and advanced technologies and how they've changed the way that BVN operates, as well as some innovative thoughts on the evolution of fees and pay structure in the architectural space. We also touch on how they recently became Climate Active certified, and Ninotschka shares the details of the systematic approach that moved them beyond carbon neutral into being carbon positive. 

She also shares her take on the importance of incentivization, leadership when it comes to contracts, the living architecture model, and finally reiterates that keeping things simple is the best way to get lots of people behind the fight to save the planet. Join us now for this inspiring conversation!

Key Points Points from this Episode:

• Get to know today's guest, Ninotschka Titchkosky.
• What is the BVN journey? Ninotschka unpacks their past, present, and future.
• Experimenting and implementing new technology in-house before showing clients.
• BVN's new vision, and the four pillars on which it's based. 
• The definition of a living architecture model, according to Ninotschka.
• Evolving how the fee structure works for architecture. 
• Some exciting VBN projects that optimize materials, eliminate waste, and create collaborative spaces.
• About the 3 step process of getting the company carbon positive.
• Addressing the huge waste problems in the construction sector.
• How government needs to show leadership around contracts.
• Ninotschka's take on the global approach to tackling the climate crisis.
• How we don't have enough incentives for designers and contractors.
• A walk-through of the goals and design for the Atlassian headquarters.
• How it's important to not overwhelm everyone with the complexity of the problem.
• How keeping things simplified will make it easier for more people to get involved! 

 Quotes:

“It's about being able to experiment, and the best place to experiment is on yourself.” — Ninotschka Titchkosky [0:02:55]

“We get enamored by all the shiny new stuff but actually we've got a huge sleeping problem which is the existing building stock, and we can't have a knock-down mentality, we need to have a reinventing and adapting approach.” — Ninotschka Titchkosky [0:16:46]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Ninotschka Titchkosky on LinkedIn

BVN Architecture

University of Sydney

Atlassian

Circulist

Host Nick Gonios
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