We Won CIRIA’S Biodiversity Challenge Award in Innovation for Nature!

The urgency is clear: since the 1930s, 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost, a decline felt most acutely in urban areas (Kew Gardens, 2017). With 80% of the global population now residing in cities, it is more critical than ever that urban residents can engage with and learn from nature (IBISWorld, 2023). We frequently overlook how much we depend on the complex web of life around us, and when it is out of sight, it is out of mind. By keeping these ecosystems visible, we can educate communities on their importance and inspire meaningful conservation action. We are proud that our efforts have been recognised, not only for their environmental impact but also for the way they have sparked public engagement with urban ecology.   

Delivered in collaboration with Hines and Lipton Rogers, The Round represents our most ambitious urban greening initiative to date. We have transformed over 550 m² of construction hoarding into vibrant, living habitat—bridging the gap between pre- and post-construction ecology. This project demonstrates that even the most unlikely urban spaces can provide refuge for declining pollinator populations while reconnecting people with the natural world, and it shows that urban development and ecological restoration can coexist—and even strengthen one another. 

By rethinking construction hoardings, we convert unsightly urban developments into functional wildlife habitats, offering landowners and developers tangible ways to deliver both environmental and social value. This approach aligns with frameworks such as the Considerate Constructors Scheme and the Code of Construction Practice, now actively supported by an increasing number of local authorities and responsible industry leaders. 

We have worked closely with partners including Buglife and The Wildlife Trusts to ensure our approach delivers meaningful outcomes for biodiversity. Our walls feature over 30 native wildflower species, each contributing uniquely to the ecosystem. To monitor their ecological impact, we use AI-powered insect-detecting cameras and citizen-science platforms to track the diversity and abundance of species visiting the walls. Over the three years the hoarding has been in place, it has evolved organically—responding to the changing seasons, sunlight, and orientation to create a series of distinctive microhabitats. Preliminary observations already show high numbers of hoverflies, a critical yet often underappreciated pollinator that visits over 70% of global food crops (Doyle, 2020). 

Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with some very rich conversations and letters of support by local residents, yet our experience has also revealed an important cultural opportunity: to reframe public perceptions of nature’s seasonality. Too often, urban greening is judged by its aesthetic peak — the lushness of summer growth — rather than its quieter, restorative phases. In focusing on visual perfection, we risk overlooking nature’s cyclical balance. 

True ecological resilience depends on rhythm. Like all living systems, nature requires time to rest, regenerate, and prepare for renewal. Autumn and winter are not periods of decline but of quiet productivity — essential chapters in the annual cycle. Recognising and embracing this seasonality allows us to design, manage, and appreciate urban spaces that are not just beautiful, but authentically alive. 

Looking ahead, in 2026 we will launch a campaign encouraging developers and construction companies to pledge to green hoardings. Our target a length of 1.3 km of greened hoardings across London, creating a contiguous network of urban habitat—a city-wide series of native wildflower meadow hotspots. Our temporary wildflower wrap provides the construction industry with a practical mechanism to give back to nature, even in temporary urban development spaces. 

Click the link below to find out who won the other awards and to watch our submission video.

2025 Biodiversity Challenge Winners | CIRIA Biodiversity