Fisherman’s House by Studio Prineas | Photography by Gavin Green
Certified B Corporation is a growing movement. With rigorous standards across social and environmental responsibility, it’s a public commitment that holds businesses to account. We speak with a selection of B Corp certified architecture and design studios that are championing change.
B Corp continues to gain momentum in Australia, with a growing number of architects and interior designers embracing the certification as a way to align their business practices with social and environmental responsibility. B Corp, or B Corporation, certification is awarded to businesses that meet the high standards of performance, accountability and transparency across a maelstrom of metrics, including governance, worker rights, community and environment. And unlike other accreditation tools, in order to maintain the certification, B Corporations must update and verify their impact measures every three years. This ensures that the needle of change is always progressing as much as possible.
In the built environment, where sustainability and ethical practices should be at the forefront, B Corp certification provides a framework for architecture and design studios to formalise their commitment to responsible business. Through environmental accountability and fostering inclusive work environments, we chat with some of the studios that are setting new benchmarks for the industry.
Bona Vista by Studio Prineas | Photography by Chris Warnes
Fisherman’s House by Studio Prineas | Photography by Gavin Green
Bona Vista by Studio Prineas | Photography by Chris Warnes
Studio Prineas
Studio Prineas is an architecture and interior design practice that takes an empathetic and collaborative approach to design. The studio is known for creating enduring spaces, tailored to the people who inhabit them. Enlivened by the belief in architecture’s potential to positively impact the planet, Studio Prineas embraces its responsibility to drive better outcomes on both a macro and micro level.
“Inspiring a life well lived is the guiding purpose of Studio Prineas. We believe in the potential of architecture to have a positive impact on the world and view our role—at its core— as existing to foster a better future for the planet and the communities that we are all a part of. Becoming a B Corp in 2023 allowed us to formalise this holistic pursuit within a definable framework and become a part of a growing community of change-makers,” Studio Prineas principal Eva-Marie Prineas says.
Fisherman’s House by Studio Prineas | Photography by Gavin Green
Breathe
Breathe has long been a leader in sustainable design, known for its commitment to creating architecture that benefits both people and the planet. The Melbourne-based studio achieved global B Corp certification in 2022, reinforcing its reputation as a force for positive change in the built environment.
“B Corp certification reflects Breathe’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, responsible business and advocacy for change. Most importantly, B Corp certification inspires our whole team to do more and to constantly challenge the status-quo,” Breathe co-founder Tamara Veltre says on what B Corp certification means to the studio.
With a philosophy that prioritises ethics alongside aesthetics, Breathe continues to push the boundaries of responsible architecture, challenging industry norms to create spaces that promote long-term environmental and social benefits.
“When we first started Breathe, we wanted all of our projects to do no harm—not always easy when construction is involved. The B Corp certification process is rigorous, measuring our studio’s impact on people and planet. It’s been a rewarding process to go through. We feel this is just a springboard for our continued positive impact,” Veltre shares.
WOWOWA
Founded in Melbourne, WOWOWA is known for its vibrant and playful approach to architecture, creating spaces that blend sustainability with a strong sense of character. The studio has been B Corp certified since 2019, embedding its values of climate action, cultural diversity, gender equality and fair pay into its daily operations.
WOWOWA sees architecture as a way to generate joy, not only for those who experience the spaces but also for the broader communities impacted by their work. Through advocacy, design leadership and a commitment to inclusive and regenerative design, the studio continues to challenge conventional thinking.
At the helm is strong leadership with principal and creative director Monique Woodward, who says, “Becoming a certified B Corp in 2019 is one of WOWOWA’s greatest achievements. At the time, many of the internal changes we made were considered progressive, and have since become standard practice. Six years on, I’m proud to say that our practice has embraced a model that aligns with our team’s core values of climate action, cultural diversity, gender equality, and pay parity.”
Woodward says their B Corp certification means seeing the team’s ideals in practice, every day. “We work to make a real difference, applying our advocacy, design thinking and leadership to create safer, universally accessible spaces,” she adds.
Zoe Diacolabrianos, Scott Woodward and Monique Woodward of WOWOWA | Photography by Martina Gemmola
Fieldwork
Melbourne-based design practice Fieldwork blends architecture, finance, urbanism and development to create spaces that are both functional and socially conscious. With a focus on research and experimentation, the studio applies deep listening and collaboration to every project. As a B Corp certified studio, Fieldwork integrates sustainability and ethical business practices into its operations, continually assessing and improving its environmental and social impact.
Fieldwork sustainability and systems management leader Stuart Eaves, explains the approach: “In July, Fieldwork will celebrate our first year as a certified B Corp. We place fundamental value on the process and meaning of our architecture, striving to embed care for people, place and planet. Achieving certification has been a significant step in realising this mission and is a key reason for pursuing certification. We believe it helps express our values to clients and communities in a way that is both authoritative and authentic.”
Eaves says that certification is not just a badge or trophy to gather dust; it is an active and ongoing evaluation that remains relevant. “The certification process has been an invaluable tool for learning, allowing us to identify areas of success and areas for future focus,” he says. “It continues to drive us to elevate our performance—whether through reducing the carbon footprint of our operations and designs, improving how we engage and listen to our team, or supporting genuine professional growth.”
House Gezellig by Studio Prineas | Photography by Felix Forest
A growing network of B Corp Certified design studios in Australia
The shift towards ethical and sustainable architecture is expanding, with an increasing number of Australian studios achieving B Corp certification, including Alexander &CO., Brunsdon Studio, Hassell, McIldowie Partners, THOSE Architects, Kirby Architects, Cumulus Studio, Baenziger Coles, The Fulcrum Agency, Kosloff Architecture, ClarkeHopkinsClarke, and DunnHillam Architecture.
These studios are demonstrating that architecture and design can be both commercially successful and socially responsible. By embedding ethical and sustainable practices into their work, they are helping to reshape the industry, proving that better business leads to better design.
March is recognised globally as B Corp month.
