Celebrating people-centred design: Hilary Blake's journey behind an award-winning project
/Project Architect Hilary Blake recently gave a short interview for Bath Life Magazine.
Here’s what she shared:
Behind every award is a story
People-centred, sustainable design is important to me, and the Keynsham Recycling Centre project embodied these values for the community.
Our collaborative work for B&NES earned us the 2025 South West Constructing Excellence award. While we celebrated the recognition, my personal growth was even more significant to me. The journey began as I had just qualified as an Architect, coinciding with the onset of COVID.
The brief was to consolidate several complex operations into one efficient site. As a Project Architect, I led a team with colleagues that prioritised collaboration across all disciplines and client groups. By learning from those around me and applying architectural theory in practice, this project became foundational to my career.
We value work-life balance and mental health
As a B-Corp, we foster work-life balance, knowing it benefits staff well-being and productivity. This approach directly supports how we work, day to day.
From a young age, I aspired to be an architect; a journey that required years of dedication and sacrifice. When I started my family, balancing work and home commitments became challenging. Thankfully, SRA’s flexible hours, hybrid working, and social activities helped me balance both roles.
SRA culture encourages mutual support. For example, Fika sessions, coffee breaks, or walks with associates build supportive relationships. I use these moments to talk openly about balancing parenting and an architecture career.
Listen. Challenge. Refine. Enjoy. This is our Creative Approach. After 10 years at SRA, I can say with confidence that we genuinely care about those we work with and design for. This commitment guides everything we do.
Contact us to find out more about what it is like working for SRA.
