Redesigning Spaces – Fostering Inclusion and Creativity at Arup

Luke Ives and Elisabetta Carattin will present Arup’s office space restructuring, designed with employees in mind to promote inclusion and foster a workplace that encourages wellbeing and creativity.

Join us for a thought-provoking dialogue about accessibility, not only within the workplace but also regarding the broader impact the building sector can have on society. Our goal is to foster an environment of shared learning and collaboration, starting with a deep dive into workplace accessibility.

Luke Ives is Culture, Equity and Inclusion Manager at Arup, where he provides specialist EDI advice and support to integrate inclusive principles into Arup’s projects, operational plans, policies, and business processes. His work includes delivering inclusion action plans, training solutions, and coaching senior leaders and colleagues to create and implement evidence-based EDI initiatives. As an APMP-qualified professional, Luke has extensive experience across various project types and sectors, where he collaborates with clients, partners, and sub-consultants on large-scale opportunities to drive EDI improvements.

Luke’s commitment to EDI extends beyond his role at Arup. He served as Vice-Chair of Trustees for The Proud Trust, overseeing the charity’s activities and the delivery of a new £2.5m LGBTQ+ community centre. Additionally, as a former Executive Committee member of Building Equality, Luke coordinated an alliance of over 60 construction and engineering organisations to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion, making the industry more welcoming and supportive for marginalised communities.

Recognised for his contributions to diversity and inclusion, Luke was named a British LGBT Award Top 10 Diversity Hero in 2022, a UK Construction Week Role Model for 2020/21, and an OUTstanding Future Leader in 2019.

Elisabetta Carattin Ph.D, is a Senior Access and Inclusive Design Consultant with the Arup Access and Inclusive Environments team in London. She is an accredited access professional with the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC), as well as internationally recognised under the Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments scheme, with the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).

Elisabetta brings a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to developing inclusive design strategies based on her experience in Architecture, Human Behaviour in Fire and Fire Safety Engineering. Elisabetta works across all sectors giving advice regarding inclusive design at all project stages.