Urban Revitalization Strategy: Transforming Cityscapes with Redevelopment

Urban Revitalization Strategy: Transforming Cityscapes with Redevelopment

News Article: Timber Redevelopment Transforms London Office Space

In the heart of London's Clerkenwell, two mid-20th-century properties have been metamorphosed into a modern, three-story office space, thanks to the innovative use of timber. The project, named Technique, is a testament to the expertise of the B&K Structures team and their longstanding experience with timber-based schemes.

The transformation was possible due to the sustainable properties of timber, which helped navigate a complex planning process and maximized the area uplift on a retained RC structure with serious existing limitations. The use of timber not only contributed to the project's success but also aligned with modern sustainability goals.

Timber acts as a renewable material with a lower carbon footprint compared to concrete and steel. It sequesters carbon during growth and reduces overall emissions in the built environment. This project, in particular, showcases the benefits of mass timber, a hybrid timber and steel solution that offers enhanced sustainability, carbon reduction, economic revitalization of forestry sectors, and improved climate resilience.

The dedication to low environmental impact materials is evident throughout the entire building. The use of timber resulted in a reduction of up to 70% in lorry deliveries, contributing to a greener construction process. Additionally, timber acts as a carbon sink, preserving the chemical that is stored in wood, preventing its release back into the atmosphere.

The project's structural elements were executed with cost certainty, thanks to a pain/gain share agreement implemented by B&K Structures during construction. This approach benefited the client, ensuring a controlled budget while maintaining the high standards of the project.

The exposed structure of the building celebrates its new CLT frame, transposing the same grid as the original buildings, creating a harmonious blend of old and new. Lee Roberts, Pre-construction director at B&K Structures, stated that Technique is another fantastic addition to their commercial portfolio.

Following the fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017, developers are being urged to switch to timber when building new establishments due to the material's safety benefits. The timber slabs provide flexibility to connect floors with staircases, if necessary for a future multi-floor tenant. The material is engineered to meet strict strength, stability, and safety criteria suitable for multi-story structures, reflecting advances in materials science and regulatory acceptance.

The project's focus on quality and aesthetics over lettable space, as emphasized by Andy Heyne, Partner at Housing repairs and environmental services (HTS), is a strategic approach that aligns with the project's commitment to sustainability and community development. The use of mass timber in commercial redevelopment is increasingly seen as a high-value strategy that supports broader sustainability commitments, addresses climate action plans, offers economic growth opportunities, and meets advancing safety standards post-Grenfell fire, all while enabling innovative and efficient construction practices.

[1] Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan [2] NYC Mass Timber Studio initiatives [3] Timber Construction: Sustainable, Efficient, and Aesthetically Pleasing [4] Mass Timber: A New Era for Sustainable Construction [5] The Economic Impact of Mass Timber

1. The transformation of London's office space through timber redevelopment, such as the Technique project, is a testament to the potential of mass timber in sustainable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing construction practices, as presented in [3].
2. The benefits of mass timber extend beyond aesthetics, offering enhanced sustainability, carbon reduction, and economic revitalization of forestry sectors, making it a high-value strategy for commercial redevelopment, as outlined in [4].
3. As more cities and regions adopt sustainable construction strategies, such as Michigan's Healthy Climate Plan [1] and NYC Mass Timber Studio initiatives [2], the economic impact of mass timber, detailed in [5], will become increasingly significant.
4. The use of mass timber not only contributes to project success and modern sustainability goals but also addresses climate action plans, offering opportunities for economic growth and meeting advancing safety standards, as demonstrated by the Technique project.
5. In light of the fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017, developers are encouraged to follow the lead of these innovative projects, adopting timber due to its safety benefits and the ability to meet strict strength, stability, and safety criteria suitable for multi-story structures, reflecting advances in materials science and regulatory acceptance.

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