In a series celebrating the Building Awards finalists, we look at the shortlisted entries for the Environmental Impact Award, in partnership with the Climate Group
Earlier this year Building announced the names of all the firms that made it onto the shortlists for our prestigious annual Building Awards.
Now we are shining the spotlight on each category in turn and publishing a selection of the images that impressed the judges.
Today’s shortlist is for the Environmental Impact Award, in partnership with the Climate Group.
Cundall – Regenerative Twin
The Regenerative Twin demonstrates how construction can regenerate rather than merely reduce impact. Achieving 84% whole-life carbon savings, 66% less embodied carbon, 45% lower energy use and a 90% cut in water consumption, the project sets new standards for environmental responsibility.
Locally sourced Welsh timber strengthened biodiversity and communities, while early collaboration on risk and insurability improved resilience.
With added social value through jobs, education and health, the project shows a regenerative, inclusive pathway to a truly sustainable built environment.
FHP Group – FHP Group
FHP Group’s transformative approach to net zero proves that engineering excellence can enhance user experience while driving carbon reduction at scale.
With thousands of projects delivered, the practice champions retrofit as the most impactful pathway, achieving EPC upgrades, energy savings of up to 20% and CO₂ reductions across diverse assets from care homes to offices.
Through systematic assessments, renewable integration and user-centred design, FHP consistently delivers regulatory compliance, improved wellbeing and long-term value – positioning retrofit as the true catalyst for a sustainable built environment.
Alison Brooks Architects and Pollard Thomas Edwards – Knights Park
Knights Park, designed by Alison Brooks Architects and Pollard Thomas Edwards, is a landmark net zero carbon neighbourhood within Cambridge’s Eddington masterplan.
Completed in 2024, the low-rise, high-density scheme delivers 249 adaptable homes arranged in a distinctive townscape of palazzos, terraces and courtyard houses. Sustainability is embedded throughout, from triple-glazing and solar PV to the UK’s largest residential water recycling system.
Blending heritage references with forward-looking design, Knights Park fosters biodiversity, wellbeing and community resilience while setting a benchmark for sustainable urban living.
AECOM – GLA Circular Economy Statement Guidance
AECOM has been instrumental in embedding circular economy thinking into the UK’s built environment, most notably through its role shaping the Greater London Authority’s Circular Economy Statement Guidance.
Adopted in 2022, the guidance – influenced by AECOM director David Cheshire’s published works – makes material reuse, adaptability and recovery core planning requirements for major developments.
From City Hall to flagship projects such as the Salisbury Square Development, AECOM demonstrates how circular design reduces waste, conserves resources and sets new benchmarks for sustainable construction.
JLL – Purdown View
Purdown View sets a new benchmark for sustainable student accommodation, delivering a holistic approach to environmental impact well beyond carbon reduction.
The project achieved over 50% biodiversity net gain, created diverse habitats, and embedded biophilic design throughout. Circular economy principles were central, with 95% of construction waste diverted from landfill and materials designed for disassembly.
Zero fossil fuel use, water and energy efficiency, and extensive supply chain engagement underpin its success, while education initiatives ensure long-term knowledge transfer and student wellbeing.
Join us for the 2025 edition of the Building Awards
This year’s event will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 4 November.
There are 22 awards being handed out, so make sure you are in the room for construction’s night of nights and to celebrate excellence.
Tickets are selling fast, so secure your place today.
Magrock – Lilford Road, Camberwell
The Lilford Road project transforms a derelict Camberwell site into a sustainable, community-focused industrial and office hub.
Achieving EPC A+ and BREEAM Outstanding, it integrates renewable energy, including PV panels and air-source heat pumps, alongside EV infrastructure and energy-efficient machinery, saving 5.6 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Biodiversity enhancements, green roofs and communal spaces promote wellbeing, while over 99% of construction waste was diverted from landfill.
The development exemplifies urban net zero design with lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits.
PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) – Green building pioneer in Indonesia’s state-owned banking
Menara 2 BTN in Jakarta is Indonesia’s first state-owned bank headquarters to achieve Platinum Greenship certification, exemplifying sustainable finance leadership.
Completed in 2024, this project demonstrates exceptional quality in design and execution. High-albedo roofs, advanced MVAC systems, stormwater management and auto-stop faucets enhance efficiency, while biophilic design, landscaped green spaces and biodiversity integration create a healthy workplace.
Operational sustainability is embedded into corporate governance, generating financial and environmental value, strengthening community engagement, and setting new benchmarks for net zero corporate architecture in South-east Asia.
RO Real Estate – Silbury House
Silbury House in Milton Keynes transforms an outdated commercial building into a sustainable, future-proof workplace.
Achieving EPC A and Fitwel 3-star ratings, and targeting BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Performance, it integrates solar PV, energy-efficient systems, water conservation and recycled materials to reduce carbon and embodied emissions.
Circular economy principles guided material reuse, while biophilic design, superior air quality and sustainable commuting support occupant wellbeing.
By combining economic revitalisation with cutting-edge environmental performance, Silbury House sets a new benchmark.
Thomas Sinden – Silbury House, Milton Keynes
Thomas Sinden’s Silbury House demonstrates how a dated 1998 office can be transformed into a sustainable, future-proof workplace. Through circular economy strategies, materials were reused or donated, cutting embodied carbon by 60%.
To ensure continued performance beyond project completion, Silbury House has been designed with built-in mechanisms for long-term monitoring.
The NABERS UK and RESET Air frameworks enable ongoing evaluation of operational efficiency and indoor air quality. Smart energy monitoring via the Measurable.Energy platform provides real-time insights, allowing for quick identification and resolution of inefficiencies.
Walter Lilly, Urban Nature Project
The Natural History Museum’s Urban Nature Project, delivered in partnership with Walter Lilly, transformed five acres of South Kensington gardens into immersive, biologically rich urban green spaces.
The Evolution Garden and Nature Discovery Garden combine education, wellbeing, and biodiversity, featuring geological exhibits, interactive landscapes, and habitats for pollinators and wildlife.
Low-carbon construction, MMC, and rigorous sustainability KPIs ensured long-term impact.
Collaborative design and innovative techniques enhanced accessibility, cultural value, and maintenance efficiency, creating an exemplar sustainable urban regeneration project.
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