Designing for a Sustainable Future: HLM Architects named finalist for Net Zero Architect of the Year

We believe that achieving net zero is more than a technical goal; it’s a moral imperative. Being shortlisted for Net Zero Architect of the Year is a recognition of our long-standing commitment to creating sustainable, net zero and low-carbon environments that put people and the planet first. 

We’ve spent decades working at the intersection of environmental responsibility, user wellbeing, and design innovation—particularly within the education sector, where our projects shape the lives of future generations. As a net zero architect, our approach blends big-picture thinking with practical delivery: from estate-wide net zero strategies and retrofitting analysis to Passivhaus-standard new builds and modular design solutions. Every project is an opportunity to push boundaries and prove that net zero doesn’t mean compromise; it means better design, better performance, and better outcomes.

Our work is guided by the RIBA 2030 Sustainable Outcomes, which we are committed to meeting across all projects by the end of the decade. This commitment is already evident in several recent schemes that showcase how collaboration, thoughtful design, and digital innovation can deliver truly future-ready environments. As a net zero architect, we continuously seek new ways to improve environmental performance and long-term sustainability.

Take Keele Innovation Centre 7 (IC7), a flagship development that not only supports world-class digital and energy research but also exemplifies operational net zero. Through parametric modelling and a fabric-first strategy, we achieved an 18% reduction in energy use via passive measures alone. Fully electric and directly connected to Keele University’s solar and wind farm, the building produces just 47 tonnes of CO₂e annually and meets BREEAM Excellent standards. It demonstrates how universities can lead the charge in sustainable innovation, both in research and in practice. 

Two Bridges Academy, part of the Department for Education’s Sustainability Pathfinder initiative, shows how inclusive design and carbon reduction can go hand in hand. Delivered for children with complex needs, the project achieves exceptional performance through fabric-first construction, low-carbon systems, and on-site renewables—reducing energy use to 68.3kWh/m²/year, 72% below national benchmarks. Biodiverse planting, natural drainage, and therapeutic outdoor learning spaces reinforce the school’s environmental and social value, setting a standard for SEND schools nationally. 

Meanwhile, our work under the Department for Education’s MMC1 Framework proves that scale and speed don’t have to come at the cost of sustainability. By embracing MMC, achieving up to 87% pre-manufactured value (PMV), we’ve helped deliver high-performance, net zero ready schools across the UK. These modular buildings achieve excellent airtightness, use low-carbon technologies, and significantly reduce construction waste and emissions. Through tools like BIM360, we’ve driven precision, reduced material waste, and created replicable models for net-zero education environments that reflect the expertise of a net zero architect.

Across all our net zero work, collaboration is key. We work together with clients, users, contractors, and communities to understand goals and co-create environments that are resilient, healthy, and climate positive. We call this Thoughtful Design, it’s in our nature.  

Being shortlisted for Net Zero Architect of the Year is not just a milestone for our practice—it’s a reminder of the responsibility we all share. We’re proud to lead the way in delivering sustainable environments that meet today’s needs and protect tomorrow’s future. The journey to net zero is complex—but with the right mindset and the right partners, it’s achievable for every net zero architect committed to positive change.

Thoughtful design. It’s in our nature.