With the celebration of Earth Day on the 22nd of this month, we have been reflecting on our sustainability efforts, from how we incorporate sustainability into our Core Values, to the publication of our 2025 Carbon Reduction Plan.
As a certified B Corp, sustainability isn’t just a value that we talk about, but something that we build into everything we do, and we’re proud to partner with clients who share our commitment to shaping a more responsible built environment.
As part of this reflection, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate some recent projects we’ve been working on that we feel perfectly reflect this commitment to building a sustainable, greener future for the planet and for the communities we work within.
Leas Lift
Set on the cliffs of Folkestone, Leas Lift is one of only eight surviving water balance cliff lifts in the UK, and one of just three that still operated using its original engineering system. The project to refurbish this unique piece of heritage infrastructure is as much about conservation as it is about sustainability, not forgetting its importance to the people of Folkestone.
The focus of this project is on restoration and reuse, from the lift cars being carefully removed from the site and undergoing specialist restoration, to the preservation of original components such as the 1890s reciprocating pumps and the rare ‘brand brake’ system.
The team working on this project is committed to retaining as much of the lift’s historic integrity as possible, with Historic England highlighting that Leas Lift remains the only working funicular railway in the world to operate with this original brake system, proving just how important careful attention to detail is.
By prioritising repairing the Lifts over replacing them, this project avoids the carbon impact of new manufacturing while extending the life of a culturally and mechanically significant structure.
Port of London Authority
Our work with the Port of London Authority (PLA) has sustainability embedded throughout; in fact, sustainability is one of three core objectives for this project. While helping with the delivery of their new Port Control Centre, environmental responsibility has guided key decisions throughout the design and development processes.
This project aims to significantly reduce both embodied carbon and operational energy use, with some ambitious targets set. Working with architects Bennetts and Associates, the team have conducted early assessments using RICS methodology, landing at an estimated Upfront Carbon performance of 375 kgCO₂e/m² at RIBA Stage 3. While value engineering has introduced some challenges, we remain committed to monitoring the design and balancing performance with practicality.
Operational efficiency is also a key focus on this project. A TM54 Predicted Energy Use Study conducted at Stage 3 set a baseline Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 100 kWh/m²/year. The aspiration is to improve on this through further design development, with ongoing assessments planned to track energy use once the project is completed. While cost considerations have led to some changes in the MEPH strategy, everyone working on the PLA project continues to prioritise long-term energy performance as a key project outcome.
This project reflects the real-world complexity of sustainable design, where strong intentions meet the practical realities of budget, specification, and evolving requirements, but it also highlights how a dedication to sustainability and having the right people on the job can make such a huge difference.
Ashford Social Housing
Working in partnership with Ashford Borough Council, this project involves the decarbonisation of 75 existing homes across three residential sites. Part of a broader strategy to make social housing more energy efficient and future-proof, it’s about delivering long-term environmental and social value.
This project includes the installation of ground source heat pump systems, along with a series of retrofitting measures such as loft insulation and solar panels. These measures are designed to cut carbon emissions which will inadvertently cut energy bills for residents.
Projects like this demonstrate the critical role of existing buildings, and how making smart upgrades at scale can help us work towards a low-carbon future. As part of a sustainable approach to working, we find it’s integral to first consider working with what we have in front of us, rather than creating more environmental damage by engaging in unnecessary manufacturing or building.
Julie Rose Stadium
At the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford, we are proud to be part of a landmark decarbonisation initiative. Using an innovative and relatively new technology, we are rethinking how public sports facilities are powered and heated.
The site now features Teratherm Natural Energy (TNE), which is a cutting-edge system that integrates a network of pipework beneath the resin-bound surface to capture and store thermal energy. This clever system collects heat from solar grain, ambient air, and the ground itself, and repurposes it to provide efficient heating and cooling for the stadium throughout the year.
This project highlights how embracing new technologies can help us deliver incredible sustainable achievements, even in energy-intensive public venues. By using the environment as both a source and a solution, the Julie Rose Stadium is paving the way for cleaner infrastructure within the Ashford community.
Building on Purpose
This range of projects highlights how we incorporate sustainability in any and all of the types of work we do, from modern ports to Victorian lift systems. Each of these projects not only demonstrate our commitment to finding ways to make our projects greener, but they reflect the technical possibilities of low-carbon design and each tell a different story about sustainability in practice.
As a B Corp, we believe that embedding sustainability in each of our projects is a non-negotiable, and even when the ambitious goals we set may seem difficult to achieve, we trust that our dedicated team will have what it takes to ensure the projects we complete help to pave the way for a more sustainable future.
