Andy Baylis is a graduate of CAT’s MSc Green Building course, founding director of Jengo Sustainable Design, and a recently appointed CAT trustee. 

We are thrilled to chat to him about his company’s pioneering sustainable construction practices and how postgraduate study at CAT influenced his approach to sustainable design.

Q: Lovely to chat with you Andy. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in sustainable design and engineering? 

I am a Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer, and I’ve worked in construction for nearly 30 years mostly in mainstream engineering consultancy firms in senior project delivery roles, people management and business development. I’ve had a passion for sustainability for decades but, apart from my self-build straw bale, had not managed to convince my employers to work in a sustainable fashion, so I decided to pursue the MSc in Green Building to delve into a new career in sustainable design and engineering. 

Q: How has your MSc in Green Building from CAT influenced your approach to sustainable design? 

Although I was an experienced Structural Engineer what I learnt at CAT transformed my confidence in delivering low impact design projects. Postgraduate study allowed me to apply my knowledge of climate and environmental impacts on the built environment to my new consultancy. 

It was an amazing experience studying on-site at CAT during the teaching weeks, meeting wonderful fellow students and learning from inspirational and knowledgeable staff. It was a liberating change from working in a highly stressful mainstream construction profession.  

Q: Can you describe some of the key projects Jengo has undertaken, and the sustainable materials and methods used? 

Over the last four years I have progressed from standard residential construction to a majority of design in timber frame and retrofit projects. Key projects include the new Passivhaus home for fellow CAT graduate Janna Lann Lomas alongside several other Passivhaus timber frame buildings and I undertake the majority of timber frame design work for Broadaxe Timber Frames. Another increasing part of my work is with historic stone buildings in retrofit and conversion projects.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in promoting sustainable construction practices? 

Some architects, clients and contractors are not interested in non-conventional materials and ignore or resist alternative lower carbon solutions. I increasingly now refuse to take on projects that I deem are wasteful or highly impactful. However, there is a gradual improvement in knowledge through the work of organisations such as the IStructE and ACAN and I believe that CAT MSc courses would certainly be transformational for many designers and consultants.

Q: How do you see the construction industry evolving to meet the challenges of climate change, biodiversity, and pollution? 

Although the solutions exist there are huge barriers to change as described in my dissertation on Sustainable Design of Foundations and Ground Floors. These range from skills, supply chains, procurement issues, code and regulation compliance, insurance, lack of a circular approach and a general lack of motivation and unwillingness to change or manage risks differently. To rise to these challenges, I’m hoping to continue to deliver less impactful building solutions, teach more within the industry and make an impact as a CAT trustee. 

Q: You recently rejoined us as a CAT trustee; how do you envision your role at CAT contributing to a more sustainable future? 

I now get to work with likeminded designers and clients on progressive low carbon projects, and I hope that my knowledge of design and development can assist CAT’s forthcoming development, retrofit plans and the Graduate School of the Environment on a strategic level. 

Q: And lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring engineers and designers who want to focus on sustainability? 

Studying at CAT was a liberating and inspirational experience that has led to a transformation in my career and lifestyle. Do an MSc in Green Building at CAT! 

Study at CAT 

Inspired by Andy’s story? Find out more about our Masters in Green Building or other courses on one of our next Graduate School open days or get in touch with our Admissions Team study@cat.org.uk 01654 705974.