Kristina
Roszynski
Partner
Kristina believes that as an architect she has a duty of care to both people and the planet. We must design for performance not just compliance – to reduce energy use and carbon emissions with haste - and do it well for future generations.
Kristina joined Cullinan Studio in 1999 inspired by the ethical, employee-owned model and vision of ‘architecture as a social act’. She has learned a great deal from working across a variety of sectors with diverse, creative co-workers who are highly committed to helping clients care for our planet through responsible design.
Driven by a belief that people thrive when united by a shared sense of purpose, Kristina enjoys working with organisations at an early strategic stage of their project to bring the most value to the team.
In her experience, the briefing process can promote transformative change and strengthen a group culture in all types of organisations, whether they are working, learning or living communities. When we connect with a higher purpose, we can achieve the extraordinary together.
Kristina is passionate about community energy, community food growing and creating opportunities for less advantaged young people to explore a career in the creative industries - supporting the work of the Sorrell Foundation.
Project Experience
Learning to care for the planet in schools
Our approach to refurbishment has always been ‘fabric first’ to reduce energy use. At Rosendale Primary School, Lambeth the phases completed so far have resulted in a dramatic reduction – up to 50% – in energy consumption.
Our holistic and sensitive approach inspired the head and governors to ask us to prepare a long-term strategic masterplan for further improvements, such as re-organising the school buildings, improving the playground, and exploring how to accommodate additional pupil places.
The masterplan is helping the school to make the right decisions and supports its ongoing funding applications.
We must make better use of existing buildings
In light of the recent IPCC report on the impact of 1.5°C of global warming, we will need to reduce our carbon emissions by more than 80% by 2050. Retrofit is key to meeting this challenge, as 87% of existing buildings will still be standing in 2050.
At our canal-side workplace, in re-purposing an existing Victorian warehouse at the end of its life, we followed three guiding principles;
Reuse; to reduce embodied energy
Reduce; applying a fabric first approach to reduce need for heating and cooling
Natural Design Philosophy; Passive design exploiting potential of natural daylight, views and ventilation for people’s health & wellbeing
Working with the community in Camden
We were selected by the existing residents of Maitland Park to work with them and London Borough of Camden on the design of new council homes.
The residents are rightly proud of their estate which is surrounded by park land and mature trees. Our landscape led approach was key to gaining a planning consent for 112 new homes. A new community hall with garden will connect residents to nature and encourage communal food growing.