HLW remains committed to the Architecture 2030 Challenge, aiming to achieve ambitious energy reduction targets and become carbon neutral by 2030. Additionally, we have joined the AIA Healthy Materials Pledge and will incorporate annual targeted goals into our design process.
From designing the first telephone building in New York City to our current work with pioneering giants in the tech sector,
HLW has always had an instinct for attracting clients that share our enthusiasm for creating future. Today, we view sustainable design as the natural progression of our legacy.
HLW continues to attract and retain a global team of creatives, thought provokers, designers, sustainability experts, and doers. We value a diverse workforce that allows us to challenge ourselves to advance the endless pursuit of sustainability and holistic design. HLW believes in providing our clients with the healthiest, most productive, and most environmentally responsible spaces possible.
The first edition of our Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) was developed as a framework to create innovative and sustainable solutions that meet our clients’ business goals while providing a workplace that benefits employees and protects our planet. In this second edition of our SAP, we reflect on all we have learned and aim to create resilience in our policy by establishing an annual focus on healthy materials. These can be incorporated into our design process, regardless of project-specific targets. With an increased responsibility to elevate our global team members through meaningful education, it is crucial that we collaborate across studios and practice groups to integrate sustainability into all project work.
The Sustainability Action Plan is an actionable, firmwide strategy for achieving our goals.
The initial development of our SAP was completed through a comprehensive series of firm-wide surveys, numerous internal visioning sessions, and several informational presentations. This effort culminated with our Sustainability and Strategy teams internally reviewing our sustainability initiatives and goals. The enhanced second edition of our SAP was crafted by a diverse committee— spanning roles, titles, and studio/department affiliations—within our Environmental Pillar, part of HLW’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program.
We view the development of this second SAP edition as an opportunity to evaluate and educate, enhancing the efficiency of our collaborative process. This involves examining
the intersection of our leadership and design teams’ commitment to sustainability with HLW’s core values, brand, and culture. Additionally, this edition offers a flexible framework for integrating aspects of the Healthy Materials Pledge into our design process, allowing for future expansions as we continue to drive the industry forward.
In our ongoing discussions, we’ve pinpointed strategies to optimally align our AIA 2030 SAP for success. The forthcoming section highlights four key opportunities and challenges that have shaped our direction and goals, propelling sustainable design forward.
The aim of this process is to set a unified starting point and end-of-year target through selecting a Design & Approach focus. This focus will guide all team members in their yearly efforts. We’ll ensure this strategy is clearly communicated firm-wide, fostering alignment, organization, and collaborative effort towards achieving our goals.
Our global studios and teams are keen to learn more about sustainable design solutions. This involves enhancing our internal understanding and applying our skills to help clients reach and exceed their sustainability targets.
Our goal is to make a meaningful impact through our work, positively affecting our team members and the communities we serve. Moreover, we aim for our projects to deliver netpositive outcomes socially, financially, and environmentally. To reach this level of impact, we’ll gather data to guide our decisions and shape our best practices.
We value our client relationships and take pride in the work we deliver. Part of our work involves going the extra mile to educate, motivate, and guarantee that best practices are integrated at every design stage, aiming for exceptional outcomes every time.
Themes Direction
Design & Approach
Evaluation & Reporting
Advocacy & Outreach
Training & Education
Embed sustainable design thinking and analysis into all projects in every office.
Develop a baseline and a clear methodology for the collection and communication of sustainability performance data.
Ensure that sustainable design permeates the communities in which we serve.
Develop internal training opportunities to improve sustainability literacy. Select staff in each office to become BEYOND Alliance members.
Internal Operations
Develop a baseline for internal sustainability performance and set targets for annual improvements.
Embed sustainable design thinking and analysis into all projects in every office.
1. Implement sustainable materials protocol
• As a signatory of the AIA Healthy Materials pledge, HLW has created a method for selecting project materials that impact the following areas:
• Human Health, Social Health and Equity, Ecosystem Health, Climate Health, and Circular Economy
2. Define and embed our best practices
• Announce an annual focus goal across different practice groups and studios to improve the process
• Ensure the goal is easy to implement in daily practice
3. Evolve sustainable materials practices in our design and documentation process
• Aiming for progress, not perfection, as we unravel the complexities of “isms”
• By providing focus, we guide the expression of a designer’s creativity and innovation
• Welcoming interdisciplinary communication to encourage engagement
Develop a baseline and a clear methodology for the collection and communication of sustainability performance data.
1. Establish project baselines for energy, water, and carbon performance
• Direct design teams to collect data based on various project typologies
• Communicate the baselines to all offices and compare impacts
2. Generate an annual report of project performance data
• Internally share our AIA 2030 performance data via presentations and reports
• Employ interactive tools to communicate improvement measures
3. Evaluate project performance data against climate zone specific baselines
• Engage office leadership at different project baselines
• Determine the most impactful sustainability metric per office
Ensure that sustainable design permeates the communities in which we serve.
1. Actively engage with community organizations dedicated to enhancing the local environment
• Work with organizations that align with our CSR goals
• Evaluate the environmental needs in areas where HLW has a presence
2. Promote sustainable design by speaking at industry events and lecturing at universities
• Leverage our global presence to speak where HLW has a presence
• Strive for each office to establish a relationship with a local university
3. Create clear and comprehensive digital materials that inform and empower
• Utilize the BEYOND Alliance more effectively to share knowledge and news within the firm
• Collaborate with Marketing and project teams to ensure our firm’s sustainable practices and success stories are communicated widely and swiftly
Develop internal training opportunities to improve sustainability literacy.
1. Select staff in each office to become BEYOND Alliance members
• Hold monthly internal meetings to share projects and tools
• Host interactive, informational meetings to cross-learn and collaborate
2. Create a sustainable materials selection protocol
• Involve our Materials Technology team in the design and documentation process to guarantee compliance with recognized standards and certifications for sustainability, health, energy, and social equity
• Assess materials based on AIA Healthy Materials Pledge guidelines
• Provide communication and education to team members as needed
3. Develop a quarterly sustainability education series for each office
• BEYOND and Marketing to work together to publish internal sustainability news and tips
• Develop content that highlights sustainability at work in the built environment
Develop a baseline for internal sustainability performance and set targets for annual improvements.
1. Measure energy, water, waste, and operational carbon metrics in all offices
• Work with BEYOND Alliance to gather performance data
• Report our findings annually to establish carbon offset purchase
2. Set targets for annual reduction against a regional baseline
• Targets will be based on regionally appropriate impacts
• Engage office leadership for regional staff support
3. Firm-wide certification of ILFI JUST Label
• The JUST Label advocates for organizational transparency to foster a world that is more socially just and equitable
• As a part of our Advocacy & Outreach goal, we’ll undertake a social impact assessment and publicly share the results to enhance proactive community involvement
