EDGE London Bridge, located next to London Bridge Station, will be one of the most sustainable office towers in London through its design and use of state-of-the-art technology. The new building, planned to be delivered in 2024, will have a vibrant and publicly accessible ground floor which in combination with a lush green garden will add to the ongoing transformation of this dynamic part of London’s South Bank. 

The character and activation of the building’s base marks a radical departure from that of a traditional London office building. The base of the building will be a multilevel, accessible, and inclusive public space where community facilities and flexible workspace animate the public realm, engaging with the surrounding neighbourhood. The design of the building marries well-being and productivity with broader social and environmental sustainability goals. The office space has been designed to meet the needs of a range of businesses from small start-ups in flexible working environments to larger more established companies. 

Terraces on the north elevation of the building are designed to provide a green outlook from the adjacent office spaces whilst creating an external environment which can be used for informal meetings as well as a break-out space. Openable facade elements on each level offer the potential for natural ventilation whilst smart technologies within building elements such as the chilled ceiling panels with integrated lighting, sensors and other services help create a workplace that supports productivity and human comfort with minimal environmental impact. 

EDGE London Bridge will be London’s first multi-tenant building to achieve BREEAM outstanding and WELL platinum accreditations. Each design decision has been considered to minimise carbon in construction and operation. The frame is constructed with material-efficient post-tensioned concrete, reducing embodied carbon. The building envelope has been designed to respond to the proposed surroundings and environmental conditions, enabling access to daylight whilst limiting unwanted heat loss in winter and reducing overheating in summer. The upper levels of the building are crowned with biodiverse green areas which use native species to promote varying moisture and root zone conditions and encourage bird foraging, nesting, and insect life.

Future adaptability will extend the useful life of the building with timber framing that can be customised to meet occupiers’ needs, further optimising embodied carbon and future flexibility. The office space is adaptable to meet the needs of a range of businesses from small start-ups in flexible working environments to larger more established companies. Smart technology within building enables a bespoke workplace tailored to the user’s needs, optimising productivity and human comfort, with minimal environmental impact. A full lifecycle carbon analysis has been undertaken as part of the BREEAM assessment and a unitised facade system will allow for a straightforward façade upgrade in the future, extending the building's expected lifespan.

The building’s external form expresses its internal organisation which, alongside the exposed structural bracing, creates a legibility and hierarchy of scale which lends character and interest to local and distant views. Inspiration for the material palette includes glazed terracotta facade panels, drawn from the character of the surrounding area and the steel elements on the facade celebrate the heritage of the area and the presence of the railway station and viaducts. At the base of the building the side core opens to a generous and well-connected public area. A carefully landscaped green garden extends into the ground floor to further activate the ground plane.

‘EDGE London Bridge has adopted aspirational standards for sustainability, far exceeding local requirements. The project will reduce on-site carbon emissions by more than 55 per cent, and is targeting BREEAM Outstanding and

WELL Platinum — the very best scores in industry-respected sustainability benchmarking. Brown roofs, vegetated

terraces and an urban garden enhance the local biodiversity. Reduced water demands alongside rainwater and greywater recycling, allowances for cyclists and a green travel plan contribute to ensuring EDGE London Bridge will tread lightly on the planet.’

Atelier Ten and Pilbrow and Partners

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