HLM Architects is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted in four categories at the Learning Places Scotland Awards 2024. These awards recognise HLM’s dedication to creating innovative, sustainable, and inspiring learning environments across Scotland.
HLM Architects Shortlisted for Four Awards at Learning Places Scotland Awards 2024
We have been named as finalists for Architectural Practice of the Year award, while The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), one of our recent landmark projects, has been shortlisted in multiple categories, including Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Learning Space, Inspiring Learning Spaces, and Project of the Year. Additionally, the University of Strathclyde, nominated by HLM, is a finalist for Client of the Year.
Celebrating 60 Years of Design Excellence
2024 marks a significant milestone for HLM Architects as we celebrate 60 years of practice. Over the decades, we have built a formidable reputation for design excellence, particularly within Scotland’s education sector. The practice’s unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in the array of projects completed over the last 18 months, each designed to inspire and transform learning experiences for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Innovation in delivering Sustainable learning spaces at NMIS
NMIS is a world-leading centre in advanced manufacturing. Its pioneering use of recycled, long-life materials and offsite construction delivers a BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A+ rated learning environment. Designed to operate without fossil fuels for its energy generation. Instead, it prioritises passive measures, low u-values and energy efficiency, making use of 100% renewable energy generated onsite. These efforts have resulted in a facility that not only meets but exceeds the RIBA 2030 Net Zero Operational Energy Metric.
Scotland’s specialist centre for manufacturing technology application and process development within NMIS, the Manufacturing Skills Academy (MSA) amongst other courses, offers a Carbon Literacy course which aims to create ‘sustainability champions. This highlights NMIS’ dedication to encouraging and supporting user-driven sustainable behaviours.
Designing Inspirational Learning Spaces
NMIS is also celebrated as an inspiring and collaborative environment where knowledge and creativity are shared and explored. Designed to captivate and welcome users, NMIS is a stimulating learning space that supports and promotes new and diverse ways of teaching and learning. NMIS embodies a culture of cooperation, with specialised areas for industry partners to engage in cutting-edge R&D projects up to prototype stage. It offers shared access to specialist areas including a large flexible machine shop, laboratory, robotics and automation, composite manufacturing area, electronics laboratory, metrology, exhibition room, clean working areas, as well as open-plan office space and large dedicated meeting spaces. These variety of learning spaces serve as pivotal hubs for industry, academia, and business users to converge and thrive, fostering an ecosystem of shared knowledge and creativity.
The building’s design prioritises a high-quality, healthy workplace, with features such as natural daylight, an exposed timber glulam frame, internal tree planting, and a bespoke internal green wall. These elements create an environment that promotes healthy working conditions and inspires users.
Project of the Year: NMIS
Both shortlisting’s showcase the incredible facility NMIS offers its users on many different levels. Named as a finalist for the Project of the Year category, this reinforces the impact the international centre of manufacturing expertise is having in establishing Scotland aa a global leader in advanced manufacturing. NMIS is a joyous facility, designed to captivate and welcome users, inspiring invention. It will develop young talent, advance manufacturing, and connect Scotland’s engineering universities and colleges in a world-class facility for years to come and that is why it has been shortlisted for Project of the Year.
A Strong Partnership with the University of Strathclyde
We are also delighted to see The University of Strathclyde has been shortlisted for Client of the Year. This is a true reflection of their firm commitment to sustainability and high-quality architecture and exactly why we nominated them for this award. Over the past 20 years, particularly under a collaborative framework agreement with HLM, the university has undertaken numerous low-energy and low-carbon projects, including the £43m NMIS headquarters.
We also want to say congratulations to Morrison Construction who have been shortlisted for the Contractor of the Year, which we are sure their fantastic work on NMIS alongside the rest of their impressive schools projects has contributed to Morrison being named as finalists.
Ross Barrett, Head of Design at HLM Architects, expressed his excitement about the nominations: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for several categories at the Learning Places Scotland Awards 2024. It’s a testament to the hard work, creativity, and passion that our teams bring to every project. The continued recognition that NMIS receives across a variety of industry accolades highlights the landmark project that it is not just for us at HLM and the University of Strathclyde, but for industry, academia, the public sector and Scotland”.
