In a series celebrating the Building Awards finalists, we look at the Net Zero Award finalists
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 Net Zero Award, in partnership with UKGBC.
Cundall – Regenerative Twin
The Regenerative Twin is a pioneering study showing how buildings can create positive outcomes for people, nature and communities.
The project cut whole-life carbon by 84%, embodied carbon by 66% and annual energy use by 45%, while keeping costs below the original scheme.
Regenerative design choices prioritised resilient timber, biodiversity and social value, creating jobs, skills and health benefits. Collaboration with insurers addressed risk, while the team includes: Morgan Sindall, Woodknowledge Wales, HLM Architects, The Connectives, AtkinsRéalis and ConstructCLT.
EPR Architects – OSMO
OSMO, designed by EPR, is a 166,000ft² net zero carbon office in London’s Nine Elms Linear Park, setting new benchmarks for sustainability, wellbeing and smart technology.
The building integrates biophilic design with over 2,000 plants, rooftop gardens and generous public space, while providing flexible interiors and community-focused amenities.
Powered by 100% renewable energy, OSMO targets BREEAM Outstanding, EPC A and NABERS 5-star, with SmartScore Platinum technology ensuring tenant control and efficiency. Its design enhances both user wellbeing and urban regeneration.
HB Reavis UK – Worship Square
Worship Square, HB Reavis’ flagship Shoreditch office development, sets a new benchmark for net zero in construction and operation.
Completed in 2024, it achieved BREEAM Outstanding with an 89.7% score, verified upfront embodied carbon of 480kgCO₂e/m², and an operational energy use of 52kWh/m²/year – well ahead of UKGBC and LETI targets.
The building enhances wellbeing with daylight, fresh air, biophilic design and wellness amenities, while tenants must align with its sustainable fit-out guide, ensuring lasting environmental performance and accountability.
JLL – Purdown View
Purdown View at the University of the West of England sets a new benchmark as the UK’s largest certified Passivhaus student accommodation scheme.
The 900-bed development tackles both operational and embodied carbon, achieving fossil fuel-free energy through air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and smart electric systems.
With airtight construction, biophilic design and a 51% biodiversity net gain, it delivers exceptional environmental performance.
Collaborative research, knowledge-sharing and supply chain education ensure its impact extends well beyond the campus.
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.
Kier Property – 19 Cornwall Street
Kier Property’s redevelopment of 19 Cornwall Street in Birmingham has delivered 139,000ft² of grade A workspace through a deep retrofit approach completed in February 2025.
The scheme achieved an embodied carbon figure of 157kgCO₂/m², meaning it is LETI A+ rated, supported by low carbon material choices and design interventions.
Operational performance is driven by an all-electric strategy, 4,000ft² of rooftop PV and a high-performance facade, targeting NABERS 5-star, BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WELL Gold.
Kier with Pick Everard and the Ministry of Justice – HMP Millsike
HMP Millsike, delivered by Kier and Pick Everard for the Ministry of Justice, is the UK’s first all-electric prison and a model for sustainable custodial design.
Completed in January 2025, it accommodates 1,500 prisoners across smaller wings with barless windows, open spaces and natural light to support wellbeing and rehabilitation.
Powered by solar panels and air-source heat pumps, it achieves 68% lower energy use than recent prisons, alongside 14.9% embodied carbon savings.
The scheme delivers 10% biodiversity net gain and integrates sensitively into its Yorkshire setting.
Stantec – Nebula, Milton Park, Oxfordshire
Nebula, the newest addition to Milton Park in Oxfordshire, comprises seven low carbon, sustainable R&D buildings completed in February 2025.
Designed for science, technology and research companies, the workspaces use glulam timber frames – a UK-first for such facilities – reducing embodied carbon by 686.4tonnes. Each building features 8m-high vaulted roofs and spans up to 30m, targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A.
Stantec delivered structural and civil engineering services, enabling Milton Park to expand its innovation community while supporting the UK’s life sciences growth corridor.
Trammell Crow Company – Welcome Building®
Welcome Building® in Bristol is a 207,000ft², nine-storey all-electric office delivering net zero carbon in operation.
Completed in Q3 2024, it combines sustainability, wellbeing and innovation, achieving EPC A and NABERS UK 5-star and targeting BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum.
The design includes high-performance glazing, airtightness, LED lighting, rooftop PV, and heat from the Bristol Heat Network, cutting emissions by 40%.
Collaborative delivery with Wates, Darling Associates, Gillespies, Hassell Studio and Hoare Lea achieved 10,000 tonnes of construction carbon savings.
Turner & Townsend alinea – Embodied Carbon Calculator
Turner & Townsend alinea is redefining cost management through its Embodied Carbon Calculator (ECC), a dual cost-and-carbon tool integrated into the Hive Portal.
Launched in 2022 and updated in 2025 to align with RICS WLCA v2, it empowers more than 400 cost managers to embed carbon intelligence at every project stage.
The ECC enables benchmarking, parametric modelling and industry knowledge-sharing, delivering measurable savings.
Endorsed by the Building Cost Information Service and the RICS, it positions cost consultants as key players in decarbonisation.
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