Sundara’s journey to sustainability
“I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture (BArch). As part of my studies, we were required to work for a year before graduating, and that is where my career in sustainability began. My first role was as an intern at Green Consulting in Abu Dhabi. They liked my work, so they brought me on full-time, and I started my journey as a professional sustainability consultant.
After that, I joined AESG in Dubai. Having spent my whole life in Dubai/UAE, it was time for a change, so in 2022, I moved to the UK. I worked at Hoare Lea as a Sustainability Consultant for a year and a half, then relocated to the Netherlands, where I have transitioned into my current role as a Product LCA Expert.”
How has your transition from sustainability consultant to Product LCA Expert been?
“It has been exciting but also a steep learning curve. As a sustainability consultant, I focused on holistic strategies for improving environmental impact, often on a project level. Now, as a Product LCA Expert, my role is much more data-driven and focused on assessing the environmental impacts of products throughout their lifecycle. It is a deep dive into the details behind sustainability schemes, which I find really rewarding.
Key focus areas in the coming months
“One of my main priorities is working on circularity indicators. These metrics help quantify how well a product, material, or building aligns with circular economy principles. The intent is to ensure the carbon impacts of products used, specifically in construction, are traceable and accounted for even beyond their prescribed end of life.
Additionally, I will be contributing to the refinement of carbon footprint calculations, which are critical for understanding the lifecycle impact of materials and buildings. This involves looking at embodied carbon, operational carbon, and end-of-life emissions.
I am also focusing on improving the integration of material passports with LCA data. Material passports provide detailed information about the origin, composition, and recyclability of materials, and pairing this with lifecycle assessments creates a powerful tool for driving circularity in the construction industry.
Another exciting area is benchmarking tools, which help users compare the environmental performance of materials and products against existing industry standards or best practices. This will empower them to make more informed sustainable choices over the lifecycle of a building.
Why are these focus areas so important for our clients?
“For professionals in the construction and real estate industries, understanding and reducing environmental impacts is non-negotiable. Regulations like the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) are pushing for more transparency and inclusions in terms of the carbon emissions impact of construction products. This is a key focus area for me at Madaster. Tools like circularity indicators, material passports, and LCAs provide the transparency and data needed to meet these requirements while actively improving sustainability outcomes.
By implementing these tools into the Madaster platform, we are giving users the ability to make informed decisions about materials and design, ensuring that their projects align with circular economy principles and contribute to long-term environmental goals. As the saying goes ‘What you cannot measure, you cannot manage or improve.’”
How does your previous experience as a sustainability consultant contribute to your work now?
“My experience as a sustainability consultant taught me how to connect high-level sustainability goals with practical solutions. I worked on a variety of projects from designing energy-efficient systems to developing strategies for reducing embodied carbon and this experience helps me understand the challenges our users face.
Now, as a Product LCA Expert, I can apply that knowledge in a more analytical and focused way. For example, I can help design tools and indicators that address real-world challenges, like choosing low-carbon materials or designing for disassembly. It is rewarding to see how these tools can directly support users in achieving their sustainability targets.”
What excites you most about your work in LCA and circularity?
“I am excited about the opportunity to develop abstract concepts into measurable outcomes. Circularity in the built environment often feels intangible to many people, but with tools like LCAs and material passports, we can break them down into clear, actionable insights.
I also love that this field is constantly evolving. As new materials, technologies, and methods emerge, there is always something to learn. Being part of a platform like Madaster means I get to contribute to shaping the future of how the construction industry approaches sustainability.”
With your diverse international experience, how do you see sustainability evolving across different regions?
“Sustainability is a rapidly evolving field, but it has been fascinating to see how different regions approach it. In the UAE, there is a strong push for green building certifications, water, and energy efficiency due to the climate conditions. In the UK, the focus is broader, covering not just energy efficiency but also retrofits, circularity, nature-based solutions and decarbonization strategies. The Netherlands, where I am now based, is highly advanced in circular economy principles and material reuse. Each region has its strengths, and I have learned so much by working across these diverse sustainability landscapes.”
What key trends are shaping sustainability in the built environment?
“Right now, the industry is seeing a strong emphasis on circularity – how we can reuse materials and reduce waste. Digital material passports and databases like Madaster are becoming crucial in tracking materials across the life cycle of a building. Decarbonization strategies, including net-zero buildings and embodied carbon reduction, are also critical. I am particularly interested in how data-driven interventions are transforming sustainability, making our designs more precise and effective.”
Top tips for our clients
“I would like to encourage users to explore the circularity indicators and tools we are developing in the coming months. These features are designed to help you make data-driven decisions, whether you are choosing materials for a new project or assessing the lifecycle impact of an existing building.
Also, sustainability is not only about meeting regulations, but also about rethinking how we design and build for future generations. I am thrilled to be part of this journey and look forward to collaborating with users to make circularity a standard practice.” mpany that’s leading change in the built environment—and I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together.”
Welcome to Madaster, Sundara! We’re looking forward to seeing the impact you’ll make.
