London

We are working with a project team that includes PLP Architecture,, Heyne Tillet Steel, Farrer Huxley, and Quantem to realise 270,000 sq ft of office space to be built on the site, marking a new generation of Net Zero Carbon buildings. Our sustainability specialists considered three key project aspirations to drive their design:

• To ensure a long lasting legacy by contributing to tackle the global climate crisis
• Creating a positive impact on the local environment by designing a flexible, healthy and safe workplace.
• Set a benchmark for future developments in the City of London, by designing an exemplar viable and sustainable building.

The development is targeting BREEAM outstanding, NABERS 5/5.5* and WELL Certified Platinum; fully utilising all-electric heat pumps and passive design measures, including natural ventilation. On site clean energy will be generated using 270m2 of PV area located at roof level and integrated into the façade. Retained foundations will help to reduce the scheme’s carbon footprint, with our experts conducted rigorous embodied and operation carbon analysis to accurately measure the whole-life carbon of the project.

Existing Natural Portland Limestone Facades were repurposed and integrated in new facades, with approximated 44% – or 345m2 – of the overall area able to be recovered. Other circular economy targets include 20% recycled content across the development at least 95% of waste by volume diverted from landfill. Approximately a third of cement-based construction materials will be replaced with low carbon alternatives during construction.

Biodiverse base planting, green walls and climbers boost biodiversity by increasing the ecological value of the existing site by over 870%. The design creates new urban habitats, with an UGF over 0.4, as well as minimising the heat island effect and reducing heat induction into internal spaces by providing natural shading.

The design create entrances at two levels – one on Farringdon Street and another at the Holborn Viaduct level – activating a new public route with a lift and improved connectivity between levels.

A smart-enabled connected building solution is integrated to include room, desk and resource booking, adjustable user preferences, touchless lift calling and AI enhanced concierge services.

Planning consent was granted by the City of London in February 2022 and the project is now progressing through the detailed design and construction phases.