Cory - London Strategic Heat Main

An Informative Digital Hub for the London Strategic Heat Main

The London Strategic Heat Main is the UK’s first large-scale heat transmission system, that will transport surplus low-carbon heat to local heat distribution networks across London, and provide heating and hot water to homes and businesses.

The project is being developed by Cory – a leading recycling and waste management company – in collaboration with heat network developers, and local and national government.

We worked closely with Cory and AECOM to design and develop a site that would act as the project’s information hub for local residents or businesses seeking further information about what the project entails, and where it will take place.

Turning Complexity into Clarity

The London Strategic Heat Main website needed to communicate a complex infrastructure project in a way that feels clear, engaging and accessible to a wide range of audiences. We set out to:

Create a distinctive digital identity: The new website needed to visually align within the wider Cory brand, while establishing a recognisable identity for the London Strategic Heat Main.
Make technical information easy to understand: We needed to provide a clear, intuitive source of information for London residents, businesses and stakeholders to understand what the project is, why it is happening, where work is taking place and the long-term benefits it will deliver.
Design an engaging user experience: Working with more complex, technical content, we were keen to ensure the site delivered an elevated experience for users, and led them through the story of the project in an engaging way.

Designing an experience that informs and engages

We designed a bespoke new design system that aligned with Cory’s main brand, but gave the London Strategic Heat Main’s site its own identity. The experience was designed mobile-first, with layouts and content carefully considered to work clearly and consistently across smartphones, tablets and desktop devices, and we introduced subtle animation and interactive design elements throughout the experience.

The homepage was designed to give visitors a clear introduction to the project before guiding them to the information most relevant to them. Whether users wanted to understand what the project is and why it is happening, explore the proposed route, or find answers to frequently asked questions, the experience was structured to make key information easy to find while helping address common queries and concerns.

Built in Craft CMS, the website also gives the Cory team a flexible and easy-to-use way to keep content up to date. Reusable content blocks make it easy to create and manage new pages while maintaining a consistent design, and enquiries submitted through the website can be reviewed directly within the CMS.

We are also currently in the process of developing an interactive map that will help visitors explore the planned route more closely, understand where activity is taking place, and engage with the project in a more intuitive way.

The Results

We are delighted to have delivered an engaging digital platform for the London Strategic Heat Main that transforms complex project information into an accessible, easy-to-understand hub for London residents, businesses and stakeholders.

As the project progresses, the website is well positioned to grow with it, with new content, interactive features and project updates helping keep London residents informed and engaged throughout the lifetime of the project.