Building Design has shared the story of the retrofit of TBC.London, highlighting the reuse of 40 tonnes of steel from the 1930s that was salvaged from House of Fraser on Oxford Street. That equates to 20% of the steel used throughout the 12,000 sq ft project repurposed, with the remaining steel containing at least 56% recycled content.

Designed by architects Stiff + Trevillion, the workspace is 100% electric and net zero carbon in operation, with no fossil fuels anywhere in the building. TBC.London is one of the first UK office buildings to reuse steel that predates the Second World War. This steel was going to be sent to be scrapped before being sourced for the scheme.

Sustainability and prioritising the use of environmentally positive materials was considered throughout the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rated building. TBC.London includes tiles manufactured using a bacterial process which eliminates the need for high temperature kilns and mineral-based Airlite paint which neutralises greenhouse gases.

Stiff & Trevillion director Lance Routh shared: “This project presented many challenges, but we were committed to finding solutions that were both sustainable and would do justice to the building’s outstanding location. The finished project reflects the huge amount of thought that went into the design stages and is testament to the drive and ambition of the team at FORE.”

FORE Partnership managing director Basil Demeroutis added: “TBC London is more than a building, it’s a blueprint for the future of real estate. At its heart, it’s a next-generation workplace which is net zero in operation, radically low in embodied carbon, and designed to support the wellbeing of its occupants.”

To read more about the project and its journey to completion as seen on Building Design, click here.