Much-loved Hillingdon buildings transformed by ‘love and legacy’

How energy efficiency upgrades are making a difference to the heart of the community

Four iconic buildings at the heart of Hillingdon have been given a new lease of life - not just for the community, but for the planet.

Thanks to more than £13.7 million in funding from Phase 3B of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the London Borough of Hillingdon has taken bold steps to cut carbon and upgrade ageing infrastructure - part of its ambitious roadmap to reach net zero by 2030.

Over the last few years, our team at Salix has worked closely with the council to support its sustainability goals. From housing to leisure centres, Hillingdon is tackling carbon emissions across its vast portfolio - no small feat, considering the council manages more than 270 corporate buildings and leisure facilities.

Targeting the big emitters first

The council identified four key community buildings as early priorities:

• Hillingdon Civic Centre
• Winston Churchill Theatre
• Highgrove Leisure Centre
• Hillingdon Leisure Centre

These sites alone account for nearly 50% of the council’s corporate carbon footprint. By upgrading them first, the council has been able to make meaningful, high-impact changes that also resonate with local residents.

As well as Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding, the council it self-funded a large part of the works in a project worth more than £20 million.

We visited Hillingdon to see firsthand how the work is progressing and were able to talk to the team about reaching its carbon reduction targets.

Head of facilities management, compliance and planned works Glen Martin said: “We’re delighted to have transformed these buildings. 

“The funding has given us the confidence to move forward, and this project brings us closer to our 2030 carbon neutral target. 

“This project has given the buildings at least 50 more years of life.”

Behind the scenes: a community-centered transformation

Our Salix programme co-ordinator Milo Challiner and project support officer Hannah Amato joined the visit and praised the council's commitment.

Hannah said: “Hillingdon has focused on much-loved community spaces and that’s no easy task. These buildings weren’t just energy inefficient, but they were not comfortable to enjoy, they also looked very dated and worn.

“Replacing those systems takes real planning, skill, and care, especially when the community depends on them.”

Hannah first visited the Civic Centre project around 18months ago, when building works were in full flow. Today she was impressed by what had been achieved.

She said: “It’s hard to imagine these are the same spaces, they are transformed, and the teams have been able to make superb use of so many of the original features and character of the original building.”

The Hillingdon projects team faced a range of logistical and technical challenges. From planning and procurement to installation and ongoing maintenance, each site required a tailored approach while always keeping community access front of mind.

Smarter, greener technology

During our site visit, we saw first-hand how the smart, energy-efficient technologies are set to power modernised, light and exciting new spaces. Key upgrades include:

• Air source heat pumps
• Building management system upgrades
• Loft and wall insulation
• Double glazing

The council is also planning future investments in LED lighting and solar PV panels to reduce electricity demand, to be funded separately.

Hillingdon Civic Centre: A landmark gets a green makeover

The Civic Centre in Uxbridge, designed by Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall, is one of the borough’s most distinctive buildings. With roots in the 1939 Middlesex County Council structure, the centre blends historic architecture with modernist features, what some call “romantic pragmatism.”

At the Civic Centre the team was able to use a lot of the existing structure and quirks of the building to aid the installation of new technology. For example, existing underground tunnels were used to install new cables and avoid some construction work.

Many of the stunning curves of the original structure remain throughout. 

Glen is keen that the rich history of the building helps determine its future as well as increasing its role as a community hub. It’s home to the council Register Office – which now homes a beautiful new wedding suite. 

Retrofitting a site of this complexity came with its own hurdles. The building was built over many periods and much has a listed status. Today the new brown-coloured Crittal windows pay homage to the buildings history.

The vast Thermonova heat pumps, now placed carefully in a courtyard, were once stored in a nearby warehouse. Moving them just yards proved a vast logistical exercise.

Today, excitement grows as the project is about to be switched on over the next few weeks.

Project manager Harley Riddington said: “It’s been a huge task to ensure we had the right materials in the right place at the right time. There is a lot of work that has happened, that you do not see, but we have ended up with a building which is better for everyone to use.”

Winston Churchill Theatre: drama on and off stage

The project also included energy efficiency works at the local theatre which are now operational. A beloved venue known for productions like Calendar Girls: The Musical and Love, Legacy & Lemons, the Winston Churchill Theatre is more than just a performance space it’s a cultural hub for local people.

Built in the 1960s as a purpose-designed community theatre, the building presented unique challenges during the retrofit. 

The team is also proud of the works at local leisure centres, Highgrove Leisure Centre and Hillingdon Leisure Centre. 

The Distribution Network Operator works will be the final piece of work before the team can fully tick off this stage of the work.

Milo said: “I am always impressed to see how project teams meet the challenges posed by dealing with such a range of buildings which often serve a multitude of purposes like the Civic Centre.

“Hillingdon has achieved a tremendous amount in a relatively short period of time, well done to the team.”

Looking ahead: long-term vision for sustainability

The council has committed to an annual internal budget for continued decarbonisation and is exploring self-funding options to futureproof its sustainability programme.

With the success of these four flagship projects, the momentum is building, and the council hopes that further funding will help accelerate the rollout of energy-efficient upgrades across its wider estate.

It’s clear that the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has triggered a whole host of works which the council has also self-funded. The scheme has given new life to the buildings and safeguarded them for the community for many years to come.

The Civic Centre is set to host a whole new level of activity, a new-look museum, a coffee shop, an incredibly modern and user-friendly library, beautiful landscaped gardens, and a market is also part of the plan.

Local residents have been on board every set of the way through engagement groups.

Glen added: “This is about regeneration, breathing new life into old buildings and improving their use.

“It’s given us all a real sense of community, yes, it’s more energy efficient and there are savings, but overall, this is about people. 

“Yes, we’re proud of what we’ve done.”

Thank you to the London Borough of Hillingdon for hosting our team and congratulations on its Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project.