Timber Square

Net zero offices in London’s Southbank

A sustainable office redevelopment combining 380,000 sq. ft. of space, spanning two office buildings, retail units, and new public realm

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Timber Square Project summary

Client

Landsec

Key partners

Architects - Bennetts Associates, Structural Engineer – Hoare Lea, Quantity Surveyor – Turner & Townsend

Services provided

Construction management

Locations

UK - London and south-east England

Project timeline

Start date
October 2023
End date
Q4 2025
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Project story

Embracing both environmental and social sustainability, Timber Square is not only pushing the envelope in low carbon construction but reimagining the possibilities for a people-centric design approach. Located in London’s Southbank near the iconic Tate Modern, the Grade A office redevelopment features two linked buildings, ground-floor retail space, ample outdoor terraces and surrounding pedestrian routes that combine vibrancy with tranquillity.

Placing health and wellbeing at the core of the development, increased light levels and nature-inspired hues will encourage collaboration, learning, and innovation.

The project is pioneering new approaches to designing net-zero spaces, using natural and recycled low-carbon materials, a lighter timber structure, Air Source Heat Pumps as the primary heat source, and modern methods of construction. The scheme will retain 80% of the existing structure and preserve many of the characteristics that make this space unique.

Timber Square is targeting BREAAM ‘Outstanding’, and Well Core Platinum, as well as a commitment to deliver £205 million worth of social and local economic value throughout its project life cycle.

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Project stats

380,000 sq. ft. of office, retail and public space
£205m social and local economic value upon completion
80% retaining of the existing structure

Points of note

Putting the Timber in Timber Square

Alongside natural and recycled materials, Landsec strives for Timber Square to be the largest commercial development in the UK to use cross-laminated timber (CLT), a sustainable lightweight material that, when compared with traditional materials such as steel and concrete, provides less waste, has quicker construction times, and 75% less embodied carbon. For Timber Square, this CLT hybrid frame will provide a significant saving of 6,250 tonnes.

Design for Wellbeing

Bankside’s industrial past is being re-imagined. Influenced by biophilic design and a nature-filled public realm that will increase biodiversity in the area, the office space expresses impactful design that places wellbeing of the community at its heart, increasing light levels, natural palettes, and access to outdoor terraces throughout. 

Re-purpose, re-use, recycle.

Sustainability is embedded into every facet of Timber Square’s delivery, retaining 80% of the building’s original structure and with material re-use and re-cycling playing a significant part in its construction. Saving an additional 276 tonnes of carbon, just from using 115 tonnes of reused steel - the equivalent to flying around the world 47 times.