Breadcrumb

Small Project, Big Impact finalists

This category celebrates projects under 5,000m² that demonstrate exceptional sustainability, innovation or community benefit, proving that scale is no barrier to impact. The summaries below, developed from finalist submissions and edited for clarity and consistency, highlight key approaches to delivering high-impact outcomes within smaller-scale projects. 
Community centre

Barking Community Diagnostic Centre 
Delivering high-impact healthcare in a compact community facility 

Barking Community Diagnostic Centre in London, UK, is a 965m² healthcare facility demonstrating how small-scale projects can deliver significant social and environmental value. Certified BREEAM Excellent, it combines low‑carbon design, modular construction and renewable energy to minimise impact while improving access to diagnostics. Serving over 88,000 patients, it stands out for its measurable community benefit, biodiversity net gain, and patient-focused design in an underserved urban area. 

Romania building

CERC Boldesti-Scaeni 
Enabling social transformation through a small-scale community hub 

CERC Boldești-Scăeni in Boldești-Scăeni, Romania, is a 220m² community and education building delivering long-term social and environmental impact. Certified under BREEAM In-Use, it combines negative embodied carbon, renewable energy and closed-loop water systems. Supporting education, training and community development for disadvantaged groups, it stands out for measurable social outcomes alongside low-impact design, demonstrating how small, purpose-led projects can drive lasting change 

Madrid office

Infinito Delicias 
Regenerating a disused building into a community-driven urban workplace 

Infinito Delicias in Madrid, Spain, is a 2,893m² office and community building transformed from a disused industrial asset. Achieving BREEAM ES Outstanding (89.12%), it stands out for its deep retrofit approach, delivering over 75% energy savings and significant carbon reduction. Integrating biodiversity, renewable energy and strong community engagement, the project exemplifies how small urban developments can create lasting environmental and social value. 

community service building

Nowa Dąbrowa Community Services Building  
Creating a sustainable community hub within a growing urban neighbourhood 

The Nowa Dąbrowa Community Services Building in Gdynia, Poland, is a 1,500m² retail and community facility forming the centrepiece of a mixed-use residential development. Certified BREEAM Excellent (75.4%), it stands out for its placemaking role, supporting a ‘15-minute city’ approach with accessible local services. Integrating energy efficiency, rainwater management and biodiversity enhancements, it demonstrates how small-scale developments can deliver lasting social and environmental value. 

swedish building

Vacse Skeppsbron 5 AB 
Demonstrating national leadership through a high-performing public office 

Vacse Skeppsbron 5 AB in Karlskrona, Sweden, is a 4,542m² office building developed as the headquarters for a national public authority. Achieving BREEAM Outstanding alongside NollCO₂ and WELL Platinum certifications, it stands out for its circular construction, 40% embodied carbon reduction and innovative material reuse. Combining advanced energy systems with a healthy working environment, it sets a benchmark for sustainable public sector buildings despite its modest scale.