Yara Machnouk, Associate Environmental Engineer, Introba

Who is your role model and why?

It’s difficult to pinpoint one role model but if I think back to what inspired me to start my journey in the built environment industry, it would be Zaha Hadid. She embodies what it means to create visionary ideas and challenge the norm in architecture, in what was a traditionally male-dominated field. Seeing her work inspired me to pursue a degree in Architecture and Environmental Design. This is where I ultimately found my passion to integrate environmental design and sustainability into every project I had the chance to work on.

What’s your proudest engineering moment?

Collaborating with my colleagues on the industry outreach for CIBSE TM65, a groundbreaking methodology addressing the critical need to calculate the embodied carbon of building services equipment. This research is helping to fill a major gap by providing a standardised approach to quantifying the embodied carbon impact of MEP. Additionally, supporting a high-tech client in embedding sustainability standards into their active offices and future projects has been an invaluable experience. Working on such a large real estate portfolio has broadened my perspective, and highlighted geographical considerations and how they relate to climate impact.

Fred Adomakoh, Mechanical Engineer, Introba

Who is your role model and why?

Rather than one role model I have many examples of engineers with different skills that I would like to learn from. The built environment is collaborative and it is good to seek out, appreciate and learn different skills from varied people.

What’s your proudest engineering moment?

Working on a Passivhaus social housing project from Stage 1 to completion. The project had high aspirations which were achieved through careful design and implementation. Seeing the design grow from blank paper and then standing in the completed building which is low carbon, efficient, and shelters those who need it without compromising on quality. Very satisfying.

Aliz Sanduj, Lighting Designer, Introba

Who is your role model and why?

I’ve always had charismatic women around me – teachers, professors, seniors, and mentors. If I had to name one, it would be my university professor, Claudia Martis, who was always supportive, helped me build my confidence, and encouraged me to dream big. She is an inspiring person whom I look up to.

What’s your proudest engineering moment?

Seeing my first project completed — a project I worked on from concept to completion — was a proud moment. Experiencing the space firsthand and receiving positive feedback from the client and its users made it even more rewarding. The project was a three-storey office within a newly built high-rise in the City of London. The lighting design focused on the people, incorporating many custom-made solutions specifically created for the project.

Andrew Raffoul, Proposals Co-ordinator, Penspen

Who is your role model and why?

I feel lucky enough to be surrounded by engineers across so many different disciplines, who bring such a wide breadth of skills to the table right here at 150 Holborn. It’s tough to pick just one role model, but as someone in the early stages of their career, it’s massively inspiring to work and collaborate with engineers with such a depth of experience across Penspen and Sidara.

What’s your proudest engineering moment?

Completing my thesis at university was a really proud moment for me. As part of my studies for an MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering, my thesis investigated hydrothermal carbonisation for biochar production. Sustainable energy sources will play a massive role in the mission to reach net zero worldwide, so I was proud to have contributed to research around such an important topic as the energy transition accelerates.

Ambika Nepali, Proposals Engineer, Penspen

Who is your role model and why?

I worked on a proposal for a hydrogen pipeline project in the UK, which was led by a female Project Delivery Engineer. Given that hydrogen will play a key role in the transition to a net zero future, it was inspiring to see a female engineer leading such a pivotal project for the UK’s hydrogen economy.

What’s your proudest engineering moment?

One project I’m particularly proud to have been a part of was the bid to deliver a feasibility and technology assessment for a green hydrogen production facility in Europe, which would be powered using solar electricity. Seeing our work come to life on projects which are driving progress towards a cleaner world and a brighter future is something I’m really proud of.

Scott Smith C.Eng, Mechanical Engineer, London Head of Sustainability, Dar

Who is your role model and why?

I come from a large family of Engineers and Scientists who have always inspired me to try and excel in engineering.  My uncles and cousins have all achieved great things in their careers, and this has driven me to push forward in my engineering career as well.  Therefore I would look to my family as my role model, in how I conduct my career in engineering.

What’s your proudest engineering moment?

Early in my career, I was able to design, develop and construct an experimental VAV Test Rig for BRE in Garston to simulate a building’s cooling load.  The Test Rig was used in many research projects during its 5 yrs of operation.  

Later in my career, I created an energy model of the entire United Arab Emirates infrastructure (energy, water and waste) to determine the impact of various Sustainable Energy scenarios that could play out up to the year 2030 for the country.  This analysis was used by the Abu Dhabi Design Council to understand the impact of their Estidama Sustainability Certification on the UAE energy grid.

These two are the projects that I am most proud of.