The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
Despite experiencing what the practice describes as a challenging year, the housing design specialist was praised for its accountability, transparency and evident belief in the culture it has created.
‘There’s a willingness to keep themselves on their toes and keep doing better. They continue to hold themselves to account for everything,’ said the judges, who were also impressed with the connection between employment ethos and work output.
‘As employees increasingly value practices that are mission-driven, there is a real sense that HTA’s inclusive culture is fostered by the leadership team and followed through in its systems,’ said one.
HTA Design has offices in London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol and is ranked 18th in the AJ100. In 2023 it worked towards B Corp certification, which was awarded last month.
Examples of its constant development and improvement include the introduction of a detailed new Career Maps and Salary Guide tool for its four technical disciplines, each with 10 grades and associated competencies and salaries, and a new mentoring system. In 2022, the practice introduced 13 new associate partners as part of its succession strategy.
Recent employee benefits implemented in response to staff feedback include the introduction of 12 days a year paid menstrual leave, paid menopause leave, miscarriage guidance, foster care leave and an extension from 10 to 20 days for the allowance in working from abroad for those with caring responsibilities. Staff are also entitled to three days’ paid emergency childcare. The in-house café in the London office provides staff with two free meals a day.
Shortlisted
- AEW
- Hawkins\Brown
- HLM Architects
- JTP
- Studio PDP
Judges
- Nimi Attanayake, co-founder/director, Nimtim Architects
- Lucy Cahill, director, Bespoke Careers
- Lucy Carmichael, associate director, De Matos Ryan
- Andy Puncher, design director, Lateral
- Matthew Turner, architect, Building on Architecture
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