Our Managing Director, Jon Eaglesham, has recently contributed an opinion piece published in Issue 61 of New London Quarterly (NLQ). This follows Barr Gazetas proudly achieving a B Corp certification score of 141.9 - the highest of any UK architectural practice to date - and Jon was invited to share how we reached this milestone. As he puts it, “It felt like a natural step for Barr Gazetas.” Our B Corp certification is a testament to the values we’ve upheld for decades.

The 14-month certification process, which Jon described as “rigorous but not onerous,” provides a comprehensive evaluation of a company’s social and environmental impact, leaving no stone unturned. This impact assessment spans across the three core pillars that define everything we do at Barr Gazetas: people, projects, and practice.

People
At the very heart of our success are our people. We’ve cultivated a vibrant, dynamic, and open culture united by a shared passion for exceptional design. Key areas where we scored highly in the impact assessment include mentorship and training opportunities, health and wellness initiatives, and a balanced salary ratio between our highest and lowest-paid employees.

Practice
Our approach is warm, approachable, and relationship-driven, building long-term connections with clients, consultants, and suppliers. We excelled in areas such as transparency, employee ownership, civic engagement, and the environmental efficiency of our studio.

Projects
Our projects span a variety of scales, typologies, and sectors, each with its own complexities. We pride ourselves on our ability to navigate challenges through a unique, thoughtful approach. Storytelling, craftsmanship, and a user-centred focus are integral to our designs. We scored highly in promoting sustainable design through integrated processes and meetings with owners, as well as our focus on social development, supporting local communities, and using third-party accreditations to assess the impact of our work.

As Jon aptly sums it up: “In many ways, Barr Gazetas was on a B Corp journey before we even knew about the certification, thanks to our sustainable practices and people-focused values.”

We’re delighted to be part of the B Corp global movement, and this is by no means a closed chapter. We are committed to continual improvement, and our journey continues.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming Impact Report, which we’ll be publishing soon. Read Jon's article, shown on the right, or to view as a pdf, click here.

You can read the full issue of NLQ Issue 61 (subscription required) on the NLA website.