How the Graduate Ready Program is Driving Sustainable Innovation at Henry J. Lyons Architects

NEWS

At Construct Innovate, our mission is to empower the built environment sector through research and fresh perspectives. During IndEx 2026 we caught up with Banbha McCann, Sustainability Lead at Henry J. Lyons Architects, to hear how the Work Ready Graduate Programme has unlocked vital new research opportunities for their firm.

Through the program, Henry J. Lyons welcomed a graduate researcher who provided the dedicated space and time needed to delve into critical areas of sustainability, specifically focusing on upfront carbon and speculative fit-outs, exploring the environmental cost of wasted carbon in architecture.

“The Graduate Ready Program has allowed us to diversify our expertise, specifically around sustainability… It’s giving us space to do research that we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do.” — Banbha McCann

The impact didn’t stop at the end of the project. The graduate has now successfully transitioned into a full-time role within the architectural team, delivering upcoming projects and continuing to build on their research foundation.

This partnership highlights how the program offers a unique, alternative recruitment pathway, injecting research-driven talent directly into the industry to tackle the climate challenges of tomorrow.

Check out the full video below to hear Banbha’s insights!

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