A 1970s tower in central London is set for a major new makeover, in which many existing elements will be retained but new parts added using sustainable materials.
British Land has unveiled plans for a revamp of the Euston Tower, which will not only transform the appearance of the building, but also give it a new purpose as a life sciences and innovation hub.
It will involve what the developer describes as “an innovative combination of retention, re-use and an ultra-low carbon new structure.”
This use of low-carbon materials and the retention where possible of the existing structure is something British Land is keen to promote. If this is to be the approach to revamping older tall buildings in the capital in the future, builders’ merchants in London may focus increasingly on providing greener materials such as lower carbon concrete and timber.
Head of development at British Land David Lockyer said: “This is a unique opportunity to transform a London landmark desperately in need of revival, ensuring it is fit for the future by adopting cutting edge sustainability practices.”
The redevelopment of the building is being masterminded by Danish architecture practice 3XN. Its senior partner and head of design Audun Opdal remarked: “Architecturally this will be a new breed of tall building, one that minimises operational energy use through passive design, reducing solar gain with less glazing and increased facade depth.”
This approach tallies with a couple of notable new developments in construction sector thinking. One of these is an increased focus on preserving existing buildings instead of rebuilding, with Architects’ Journal launching a campaign in 2020 in favour of his shift in approach, backed by 14 Turner Prize winners.
Alongside this has been a growing focus on the use of greener construction materials, such as developing kinds of concrete with less embedded carbon.