The Forge will be the first Net Zero Carbon development Landsec are developing. It comprises two buildings, one c.90,000 sq ft and the other c.40,000 sq ft, with a beautiful public realm courtyard.

Landsec has an established track record of leading in sustainability and was the first commercial real estate company in the world to have its carbon reductions target approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative in 2016. As part of this commitment, The Forge, Landsec’s new build office development in Southwark, is aiming to be the UK’s first net zero carbon commercial building. This means the building will be both constructed and operated in line with the UK’s Green Building Council (UKGBC) framework definition of net zero carbon buildings.

The project, with Bryden Wood as Architects and Engineers, consists of 139,000 sq ft of CAT A office development across two buildings, Bronze and Phosphor, with an external courtyard. Both buildings are 9 storeys above ground level providing office accommodation. The larger Bronze building to the South of the site also has 2 levels of basement providing services and facilities spaces.

It is a pioneering project and the first major commercial building to be built using a platform approach to design for manufacture and assembly (P-DfMA). The project has been awarded funding from Innovate UK for its innovative design and ground-breaking construction techniques, which has the potential to act as a catalyst for change in the construction sector. This approach has resulted in a 19.4% reduction in embodied carbon emissions against a typical build baseline which is being driven down further through the design development.

In order to minimise operational energy use in line with UKGBC targets, Bryden Wood have used passive design techniques before adopting the use of highly efficient electric air source heat pump (ASHP) systems to provide heating and cooling from a 100% renewable electricity tariff. Photovoltaic panels (PVs) are provided at roof level to offset the annual emergency generator diesel fuel consumption resulting from ongoing maintenance operation.