Health & Wellbeing
HLM Architects
Sustainable Architecture, Interiors, Landscapes and Masterplanning practice with a Thoughtful Design ethos at its heart
HLM excels in designing University campus environments that benefit the health and wellbeing of people whilst building inclusive to all. Our experienced team of Landscape Architects delight in envisioning projects that not only meet the needs of staff and students while within their education estatblishments, but also promote a healthier, more vibrant way of life - ecompassing outside spaces that increase access to nature and fresh air easily.
Our integrated approach to design ensures a campus masterplan has an intelligent approach to blue and green infrastructure, creating a diverse and engaging landscape in which to learn and engage with. The creation of public realm within a University campus significantly benefits staff, students and the wider community.
Creating thoughtful hierarchy of external spaces throughout a campus will result in people engaging with nature and the local environment in many different ways from large scale outdoor performances to small external study spaces.
City Campus Masterplan & Public Realm Square
HLM have been appointed by Nottingham Trent University to develop a 10-year estate strategy and masterplan for their City Centre Campus. This includes a detailed analysis of their accommodation to meet future academic needs and feasibility studies for both new build and deep retrofit projects.
At the heart of the masterplan is a new public square which will connect the campus and forge new links between the University's wonderful heritage buildings and a new "Learning Commons". The masterplan strategy focused on creating a strong identity for each unique area of the campus whilst tying the sprawling site together through a series of pedestrian friendly streets.
The Concourse, University of Sheffield
The Concourse for the University of Sheffield has been a showcase of this approach to public realm design, which has been demonstrated through the feedback from the University, users and our own observations. The Transformation of the area has brought vibrancy to the campus. Which was also proven to be an invaluable space throughout the pandemic.
The design turned an underutilised area and brought life back into the heart of the campus, as per the original 1970's design intended. HLM worked with lighting designer Arup, to ensure that the daytime offer also continued into the evening and the campus provided a safe and thriving environment for students and staff.
The scheme had under lying sustainability principles; using bespoke off-site construct for searing and raised planters, locally manufactured suppliers and introducing waste recycling into the public realm, which has now been rolled out across the campus.
The planing was an integral part of the landscape design and consultation was undertaken on the species selection with the Landscape Architecture department and the Estates team, to ensure the planing was aligned with the whole campus approach to greening and biodiversity goals.
WINNER : Sheffield Design Awards - Contribution to Open Spaces
WINNER : FX International Design Award - Outside Space
FINALIST : Civic Trust Awards
This article is a snippet from our new University Estates brochure, follow this link to download a copy and find out how we're making better places.
Find out more about how we work with Universities on strategic plans for the future of their estates and campuses, contact our Head of Education, Claire Wakelin.
Thoughtful design and the desire to make spaces and places that improve lives sits at the heart of everything we do.
Get in touch via the links below, and find out more about the work we're doing to make better places.