Over the last 50 years, CAT has played a crucial role in many successful sustainability-related businesses, including Hawkland, an ecological design and build company based in Bristol. Director and CEO, David Copeland, shares how knowledge, skills and connections gained at CAT have supported the business so far.

Hawkland designs and delivers sustainable spaces, specialising in low-carbon retrofit projects, leveraging the latest developments in eco-friendly design and bio-based materials.

Business values shaped at CAT

I met my fellow directors, Chris Hawker and Ben Nother, while studying at CAT. This early experience was instrumental not only in the founding of Hawkland but also in shaping its core values. CAT introduced us to a new way of thinking in design and construction, increasing our awareness of environmental responsibility and fuelling our passion to challenge the conventional construction industry.

After meeting Chris at CAT, I worked with him on several projects run by Strawbuild. From this we decided to start our own company, providing specialist sub-contracting services, and swiftly after bringing retrofit and renovation into the company.

Being based in Bristol made sense as the community there is renowned for its commitment to sustainability. Our experience at CAT, along with our new connections in Bristol, allowed us to confidently focus on sustainable retrofit practices.

Starting small

The company began as a small, subcontract building company, specialising in eco-focused techniques, driven by the values and knowledge we gained at CAT.

Initially, we focused on small-scale construction projects that used natural, bio-based materials, like straw bale and hemp, with an emphasis on low-carbon construction. We were particularly interested in offering practical solutions to climate change through the built environment.

The pandemic offered a unique opportunity to reflect on the first three years of the business. With most of our upcoming projects on hold, we used the time to take stock and think about what to do next.

Reconnecting and growing

After the pandemic, in 2022, Ben reconnected with Chris and I, noticing we shared common goals around sustainable construction. Chris and I realised we could offer a more comprehensive package by integrating architectural services into the company, streamlining the customer’s journey. Initially, we began a strategic partnership between the two companies, working together on several projects.

As work developed, we decided to merge companies. Hawkland expanded, integrating architecture into its offerings to provide a more holistic approach to sustainable construction. By providing in-house architectural services, we were able to manage projects from the initial design phase through to completion, ensuring that sustainability is embedded in every aspect. This integration allowed us to fully control the use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient designs, and innovative construction methods, ensuring the project stays true to its environmental goals.

Additionally, it helped streamline communication between the design and build phases, reducing delays and misunderstandings and enabling us to create cohesive, sustainable and high-quality projects.

Current projects

In 2022 I joined the NatWest Accelerator programme, which played a key role in refining my business strategy and accelerating Hawkland’s growth. The programme equipped me with valuable skills in marketing, pitching, finance, visioning, mindset and leadership, all of which have contributed to the company’s development. It also helped me expand Hawkland’s Bristol-based network and tap into business opportunities across the Southwest, further broadening the company’s operations.

This experience opened further doors for Hawkland, tapping into funding opportunities from the West of England Combined Authority, leading to involvement with the Retrofit West launch, culminating in a site visit from Dan Norris and Ed Miliband. This relationship also gained Hawkland a Good Employment Charter accreditation.

Collaboration and strategic partnerships are essential to Hawkland’s mission of delivering sustainable, eco-friendly construction projects. By working closely with material suppliers, architects, local councils, and energy-efficient system providers, we ensure that every aspect of a project aligns with our environmental and ethical goals. These partnerships enable us to access cutting-edge technologies and sustainable materials, critical for reducing the carbon footprint of our builds.

CAT’s continued influence

The skills we learned at CAT have consistently proven useful in our daily work, enhancing both understanding and operations. Expertise in building physics, critical analysis and problem solving is applied every day. From CAT we gained a deep understanding of the impact of the built environment and how to mitigate it through the use of natural materials – principles that are now core Hawkland values.

Over the years, we’ve shared our experiences with the Hawkland team, inspiring some members to pursue courses at CAT to expand their skills and bring more value to both Hawkland and the industry.

Looking to the future

Going forward, we hope to make the way we work even more seamless and efficient, improving the operations of architecture, project management and construction services. We aim to further grow the architectural team, offering enhanced services such as thermal modelling, embodied carbon analysis, and Passivhaus and EnerPHit designs, alongside our full range of architectural services. We will continue to offer our services in Bristol and the surrounding areas, with projects in Herefordshire, Somerset and beyond.

While many companies focus on new builds, we are pursuing innovation in retrofitting, addressing the needs of existing buildings. We are committed to delivering state-of-the-art sustainable retrofits, examining every aspect of the value chain and integrating vertically where possible, while ensuring high quality delivery and a superior customer experience.

Of course, we will continue to embed our values of sustainability and innovation, which were shaped at CAT, at every stage of the customer experience, ensuring they align with our mission.

About the author

David Copeland is a director and CEO at Hawkland, currently focusing on the business development side of the company.

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