TBC.London is a new Thames-side landmark designed with sustainability and wellbeing at its core. Dimitar Dobrev, one of the team working on TBC.London from our award-winning architect, Stiff + Trevillion, talks to us about the process of creating a building that will enrich lives and stand the test of time.

What inspiration did you take from the local heritage area in terms of the design you chose for TBC.London?

[Dimitar:] TBC.London is situated in a strategically significant position overlooking the Tower Bridge and the River Thames. The area is full of history, and character, and in addition to the bridge itself of course, is well known for its cobbled streets and converted warehouses.

Our design for TBC.London introduces a material palette that celebrates a real renaissance of craftsmanship and authenticity, inspired by the surrounding area. We’ve redefined and simplified the relationship between TBC.London, the adjacent Accumulator Tower, and the iconic Tower Bridge.

It is architecturally rich scheme within the context, one that complements both the more recent additions (for example, the One Tower Bridge development opposite) and the historic context of Shad Thames. A building that will be robust and flexible enough to continue to be relevant well into the future.

The design of TBC.London draws inspiration from the local heritage area in these ways:

• Respectful Scale and Lines: The building's modest additional floors and clean lines complement Tower Bridge's grandeur without overwhelming it.
• Reflective Materials: The use of materials like high-performance glass and patinated metal cladding pays respect to the contextual industrial heritage while subtly echoes the Thames' shimmering surface.
• Muted and Natural Palette: A colour scheme that reflects the Thames' natural hues and the Tower Bridge area brickwork palette, with intricate corbelling details designed into the way the brickwork has been hand laid.

Can you explain how you and FORE pushed innovation in terms of sustainability?

[Dimitar:] Together with our client, FORE Partnership, and the project team, we are transforming the existing 1990s office building through a deep refurbishment into one of the UK’s most sustainable and healthy workspaces. The building will be Net Zero Carbon in operation, and additionally is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, EPC A, WELL Platinum, WiredScore Platinum, Active Score Platinum and Nabers 5.0. TBC.London will be 100% electric of course.

The project has holistically adopted a wider range of sustainability strategies to these achieve goals. The project includes several measures to reduce its operational energy consumption, including high performance envelope, highly efficient MEP systems and renewable energy from solar thermal panels and photovoltaic installation. Together with smart building management tech and efficient lighting, the result is a low energy intensity building that uses less than 45 kWh/m2 GIA / year on base build, compared to over 200 kWh/m2/year in an average office. That’s 71% less operational emissions than a typical office.

In addition to operation carbon savings, there has been an intense focus on embodied carbon. Instead of demolishing or significantly altering the building frame, the design team worked with the existing building to minimise demolition but add additional office space where it has the least impact on the existing retained structure.

Collaboration between supply chain partners revealed the potential to reuse steel from the demolition of another project which was incorporated into TBC.London successfully. This is a cost-effective innovation and a prime example of circular economy principles, where substantial amount of materials usage (and associated wastage) is avoided in the first place. Measures were also in place throughout construction to minimise waste and over 99% of materials have been diverted from landfill.

How did you approach the challenge of creating a modern workspace within the confines of a retrofit of a 1990s building?

[Dimitar:] FORE is set to deliver an exemplar building with a reduced carbon footprint on a tight restrictive site, which is always a challenge, as existing buildings throw up surprises. We supported this ambition by applying innovative design strategies as well as by engaging with construction partners to understand what materials might be available to reclaim and re-purpose from the original building.

Interventions vary from replacing the envelope to improve thermal performance to larger scale changes such as adding additional office space:

• Clever Space Planning: Adapting the existing layout to create modern workspaces, with efficient cores locations.
• Open Floor Plans: Maximising natural light penetration with open layouts and well-placed windows offering stunning vistas.
• Upgraded Building Systems: Installing energy-efficient, in-floor HVAC systems, high-performance insulation, and ultra-efficient lighting.
• Integrated Amenities: Adding amenities like landscaped terraces, a clubroom for occupiers, biosolar roofs, and FORE’s signature Urban Village Hall which acts as key hub for the community, all achieved within the limitation of the existing structure.
• Robust Logistics & Stakeholder Management: Early engagement with Main Contractor to understand the site restrictions.

How does the design of the building foster and promote a healthy and productive work environment?

[Dimitar:] This is a building and a project with people at its core that aims to actively improve and enhance the lives of all those who live and work in the area.

The design of TBC.London encourages well-being through:

• Natural Light and Views: Maximising access to natural light and views of the Thames which positively impact mental health and productivity.
• Biophilic Design: Integrating elements like indoor plants, natural materials, and access to outdoor spaces on well landscaped terraces.
• Flexible Workspace Options: Offering a variety of workspaces, such as quiet work areas, collaborative zones, and relaxation spaces, to cater to different work styles and needs.
• Improved Air Quality: Implementing high-efficiency air filtration systems to promote a healthy indoor environment.
• End of Trip Facilities: Dedicated bike entrance, charging stations, as well as spa-style changing rooms with cooling zones, ironing stations and other amenities for tenants.

What opportunities does TBC.London create for the community to enjoy the building?

[Dimitar:] FORE has charged us to consider the building as part of an “Urban System”, and as such look at how it can urgently address deeply entrenched social issues in the wider community. Led by our contractor, TBC ran a number of “Building Lives Academy” programs which provided training to dozens of local, vulnerable people, helping them develop skills that open up employment opportunities. We purchased as many materials as we could through social enterprises – much of our furnishings are repurposed or remade for example. The building’s 3,400 sq. ft Urban Village Hall will become an important gathering place for social enterprises and the local community, a space to come together with each other and the building’s occupiers to work through social issues and build community resilience.

What design elements used in this project set the building apart from other high quality, low carbon workplaces in London?

[Dimitar:] TBC.London stands out with:

• Ambitious Sustainability Targets: Providing a highly sustainable and socially impactful, healthy workplace.
• Unique Facade: A distinctive facade design with great thermal performance incorporating projecting windows that celebrate the stunning vistas and offer plenty of natural light.
• Focus on Heritage: Subtly integrating elements that pay homage to the local area's heritage and create a unique identity.
• Community Integration: The commitment to community engagement sets this project apart from other office-focused buildings.
• Landscaped Viewing Platform: A lush, landscaped terrace overlooking the iconic Tower Bridge and the Thames.

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