This year marks a significant milestone for HLM Architects as we celebrate 60 years of practice. Since our founding in 1964, HLM has built a strong reputation for design excellence and expertise, focusing on solving client’s challenges while considering the broader impact design can have on people, communities, and society.
HLM Architects Celebrates 60 Years of Thoughtful Design
Where it began
HLM Architects’ journey began with the competition-winning design for the Paisley Civic Centre, a project that laid the foundation for the practice. 60 years later, just a few miles along the White Cart River, the firm’s latest achievement – the energy carbon-neutral National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS) headquarters – together, represent six decades worth of ‘Thoughtful Design’.
HLM has a proud history of creating architecture that has positively impacted people’s lives for more than half a century. Our design philosophy places people at the heart of every project. Our ‘Thoughtful Design’ approach has led to the creation of educational spaces that inspire, healthcare environments that nurture, homes embedded in thriving communities, and infrastructure that is sustainable in every way. It is this sense of social purpose that drives us on and is at the heart of everything we do. The practice’s dedication to thoughtful design has earned it numerous accolades, recognising both our innovative solutions and our contributions to society and the environment.
Values that have stood the test of time
A key to our success over the past 60 years has been our unwavering commitment to core values, even as the practice has evolved. We make a commitment to bring our expertise and creativity to each project we undertake, working in partnership with our clients in a collaborative and transparent way, never losing sight of our ambition to make better places for people.
At the heart of our practice are our four guiding values: Creativity, Commitment, Transparency and Expertise. These pillars shape our approach and will continue to drive us to build places that inspire and support people in the future.
The HLM team
We would not be able to achieve what we do without the passion, commitment, and enthusiasm of our team. Over 180 talented individuals fill our studios, connected at both regional and national level, bringing diversity of thought to every aspect of our business. We work as one team across five studios, collaborating and sharing new ideas and best practice through open and honest communication, creating strong relationships and great friendships along the way. Our nurturing culture encourages thoughtfulness and creativity, and we surround everyone with the right mix of resources and a working environment to energise and inspire; supporting everyone to grow and flourish. Most of all, we enjoy what we do and the great places that we create for people.
In December 2022 we became a part of an Employee Ownership Trust. Employee ownership means all of us working together, with a common purpose and passion, to improve outcomes for each other, our clients and our communities.
Reflecting on six decades of practice, chair, head of design, Philip Watson commented, “HLM’s journey over the past six decades has been fascinating and remarkable in many ways. We take immense pride in our rich heritage, and how the practice has evolved into one of the premier architectural practices in the UK and Ireland. Looking forward, we intend to build on our legacy of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability; and as we celebrate our successes, we remain dedicated to evolving our practice to meet the ever-changing needs of the communities we serve. The practice has never been stronger, and we look forward to 60 more years of creating spaces that inspire and transform people’s lives.”
