Second Nature LIVE is an immersive learning programme offering the opportunity to learn on a LIVE project. This year UKGBC is excited to collaborate with IHG Hotels & Resorts to give participants the opportunity to apply transformational sustainability thinking to the hospitality sector, understand how to deliver a Net Zero hotel, and explore what a truly sustainable, resilient hotel industry could look like.

The programme spans a 3-month period, incorporates highly engaging learning techniques and has been specifically designed for those without sustainability in their job title.  Participants will benefit from being able to bring insights back to their business on how to deliver sustainable building projects.

What is the Second Nature LIVE Programme?

Through a range of active learning approaches with talks, site visits, virtual working, networking, group work, plenary discussions, research, webinars and workshops, participants will learn about:

  • The key principles of green building and construction, with a focus on net zero, climate resilience and circular economy
  • How sustainability considerations impact design briefs, working practices and decision-making across various disciplines and at all stages of a project
  • The role that site, climate, program, location, structure and building technology play in the process of design, construction, operation and maintenance
  • Opportunities and constraints, including, where relevant, key policy and regulatory frameworks, building performance standards, and industry trends
  • Interdisciplinary, collaborative approaches to the application of the key principles to a live project or proposition
  • The different roles and new responsibilities in working together towards green building and construction
  • Successful cases and innovative practices
  • How to develop a compelling business case for design proposals both qualitatively and quantitatively.

In addition to all this, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate, discuss and learn with an industry peer group, working together to propose the most sustainable outcomes for the project.

Key dates:

Part 1: Online kick-off and preliminary work (w/c 11th October)

  • 4 hours of guided learning, completed online.

Part 2: Workshop – Bicester 18-19th October, 1.5-day workshop)

  • Face-to-face workshop including a site tour, covering key stakeholders meetings, overview of ‘the challenge’ and basics of green building and construction

Part 3: Online Group work (November/ December/January) 

  • ~12 hours of guided learning completed online, involves tutoring, group research and development of proposals

Part 4: Report out – London (20th January 2022 half-day workshop)

  • Face-to-face workshop where groups present to the panel and celebrate successful completion of the programme

Total time involved:

Face-to-face: 2 days (workshop time)

Virtual: 2 days (2 hours a week online, across a total of 8 weeks)

Who should attend?

  • Professionals with more than 5 years’ experience in the built environment
  • Learners with line management responsibilities
  • Architects, technicians, designers, engineers, project managers, surveyors, construction managers, cost consultants, facilities/operations managers, product manufacturers, developers, clients, academics and instructors
  • Professionals involved at any stage of a project – conception to design, construction, and beyond.

Specialist sustainability knowledge is not required

Why attend?

  • Gain 32 hours CPD and become a UKGBC Green Building Champion.
Note: The 2021 programme follows the successful run of the programme in 2018 and 2019, which were based on Clarion Housing Association infill sites and Birmingham Children’s and Women’s Hospital, with the NHS foundation trust as the host. For reflections on this programme click here.

For more information or to speak to one of the UKGBC team about this programme please contact us at learning@ukgbc.org.

This is a training experience and will focus on a real life building.  Any output ideas or strategies put forward will not constitute formal proposals for adoption by the building owners. Nor will this opportunity replace the need for such stakeholders to procure stand-alone professional advice on any aspects related to the development.

Event details

Open to

All are welcome.

Book now

Get involved

Learn more and sign up to join here.

Related