Low Carbon Project of the Year

Walworth town hall
Conamar Building Services

Walworth Town Hall is an outstanding example of low-carbon construction, combining heritage restoration with sustainable, future-ready design. Retaining 95% of the existing structure, the project slashed embodied carbon, while introducing innovative timber construction, sequestering 68 tonnes of CO2e, and integrating energy-efficient technologies and material reuse. Collaboration between contractor, client, council, and the community ensured a successful outcome that prioritizes environmental and social impact. This project showcases how heritage buildings can be transformed into thriving, sustainable spaces, setting a new standard for thoughtful adaptive reuse.

Strongford Net Zero
JN Bentley

The Strongford Net Zero project is delivering a retrofit transformation of Strongford Wastewater Treatment Works to incorporate emissions reduction technologies. The project has targeted a majority reduction in Scope 1 emissions by utilising world-first technologies to reduce, remove and offset process emissions. This is the first time that these pioneering technologies have been brought together in one place, serving as a blueprint for future decarbonisation of wastewater treatment processes on a global scale. Strongford is tackling the industry’s biggest challenge at a crucial time – acting now to safeguard our future against climate change.

Nebula
MEPC — Milton Park

Nebula shows how low-carbon construction and economic growth needn’t be mutually exclusive. Commenting on Nebula, Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge Innovation Champion, Lord Vallance, said: ""Nebula’s new development of large-scale innovation space will support a range of growing industries, helping businesses to get off the ground and progress, and in turn supporting this government’s number one mission of economic growth.""Nebula’s significant carbon savings, innovative design and sustainable infrastructure shows how greener growth can be delivered sustainably, supporting innovation while protecting the needs of the planet over the longer-term.

Driving down carbon on the A12
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, AECOM and National Road Planing

We achieved a 58% overall carbon reduction between preliminary and detailed design. We established a carbon-focused team, challenged the design, developed innovative methodologies, innovated construction plant and trialled new materials and systems to drive down carbon. Examples of low carbon development projects we deployed include:• a world first graphene-enriched cement trial• an innovative planer, achieving 100% productivity increase and 35% carbon reduction compared to conventional concrete road demolition techniques• a retrofitted electric road sweeper, providing data to academia to share learning• an innovative sign asset monitoring system to reduce carbon relating to maintenance of TM equipment

Retrofit programme
Morgan Sindall Property Services and Amplius

Through our partnership approach with Amplius we were able to deliver this ambitious project demonstrating our commitment to providing customers with comfortable, lower carbon homes that are fit for the future. By embracing whole house principles, harnessing innovative solutions, a resident first approach we were able to deliver a cost effective project, without compromising on quality and put customer and community at the heart of it.

Net-zero bill free homes
Octopus Energy

Thakeham and Octopus Energy are setting new standards in sustainable living by aligning state-of-the-art building techniques with cutting-edge Zero Bills technology. In just 12 months, the partnership has created a pipeline of 1470 Zero Bills homes, with over 40% dedicated to affordable housing, plus a commitment to deliver all possible developments as Zero Bills. Zero Bills homes achieve exceptional 117A EPC and negative 0.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions, whilst intelligently consuming and exporting stored energy at greenest times. All in exchange for a zero energy bill which saves residents hundreds of pounds a year, it’s a win-win all around.

11 Belgrave
Quadrum Global and BAM Construction

Quadrum Global, in partnership with BAM, has transformed 11 Belgrave Road to a 150,000 sq ft net zero carbon workplace in the heart of London’s Victoria. Retaining 35% of the original structure and recycling nearly all demolition waste, the project minimised embodied carbon while integrating cutting-edge, sustainable materials and smart technology to extend the building’s lifespan by over a decade. With 13,000 sq ft of green space, best-in-class amenities, and net zero carbon in design, construction, and operation, 11 Belgrave redefines sustainable commercial developments, setting a new industry benchmark to low-carbon through innovation and collaboration.

Animal Studies Centre
Speller Metcalfe

The Animal Science Centre at Dudley College of Technology exemplifies excellence in low-carbon construction. By choosing retrofit over demolition, the project significantly reduced embodied carbon while achieving Passivhaus-level energy performance. Innovations such as Passive Purple airtight membrane, air source heat pumps, and MHVR systems ensured operational carbon neutrality. The pioneering IPI Lite model fostered collaboration, delivering the project on time and £40k under budget. A blueprint for sustainable retrofits, this project proves that existing buildings can meet and exceed new-build energy efficiency standards, setting a benchmark for future low-carbon educational facilities.

Halifax bus station
Willmott Dixon

The redevelopment of Halifax Bus Station is a remarkable project that sets the standard for low-carbon transport infrastructure in the UK. Combining innovative design, renewable energy generation, and heritage preservation, it delivers significant operational and embodied carbon reductions while improving user experience. Key features include a wildflower green roof, photovoltaic panels, electric heating and ventilation and future-proofed infrastructure for electric buses. It aligns with West Yorkshire’s net-zero by 2038 targets and promotes active travel with cycle storage and better waiting and walking facilities. Beyond environmental impact, the project maximises social value through skills development and local economic investment.

Fortis House — a 23-unit zero-carbon, social-rented modular housing project in a flood zone
Zed Pods

Fortis House in Ashford, Kent, developed by ZED PODS and Ashford Borough Council, is a pioneering zero-carbon, social-rented housing project. Using offsite MMC construction, it transformed a flood-prone brownfield site into 23 ultra-energy-efficient homes. Surpassing all carbon targets, the project achieved an airtightness level of 1.02 m³/(h.m²) @ 50 Pa and a net-negative carbon emission rate of -3.07 kgCO2/m². Key innovations include a fabric-first approach, extensive solar PV, and air-source heat pumps. By combining sustainability, cost-efficiency, and social impact, Fortis House sets a new benchmark for replicable, low-carbon housing developments across the UK.