Mace Begins Construction on Landsec's £230m Timber Square Development
Mace Gets Green Light for Landsec’s Timber Square
Construction company Mace has been given the go-ahead to commence work on property developer Landsec’s innovative Timber Square office redevelopment in South London. The use of a large-scale hybrid steel frame with cross-laminated timber floor slabs is a pioneering move in the industry.
Landsec’s Confidence in London Office Market
Landsec moving forward with the main construction of the 380,000 sq ft project on Lavington Street in Southwark is a clear indication of the company’s confidence in the London office market. This confidence comes despite the recent trend of remote working and the need for home office design in London, UK England.
Mace Takes Over from Laing O’Rourke
Construction firm Laing O’Rourke was initially slated for the project. However, they withdrew when the scheme was temporarily halted. Now, Mace has been officially contracted as the construction manager for the £230m project, which aligns with Landsec’s goal to develop a one million sq ft green office cluster in Southwark.
The Redevelopment of Former Printworks
The modernisation of the former printworks is the latest large-scale project Landsec is undertaking in Southwark. The two buildings, designed by Bennetts Associates, are set to be a significant addition to the London skyline with 10 and 15 storeys respectively.
Lessons from The Forge
Mace and its joint venture partner, Sir Robert McAlpine, recently completed The Forge, which was the UK’s first net-zero commercial building designed in line with the UKGBC’s framework. Pat Fitzgerald, commercial director for Major Projects at Mace, stated that the Timber Square project will take inspiration from The Forge, pioneering new ways of designing and constructing net zero spaces.
Low Carbon Construction at Timber Square
The design of Timber Square will extensively use low-carbon materials to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 during construction, compared to a typical office build. It will also retain 85% of the existing steel structure while incorporating new cross-laminated timber floor slabs to create a highly sustainable, energy-efficient space.
Timber Square: A Glimpse into the Future of Construction
James Rowbotham, Head of Workplace Development at Landsec, stated that the combination of cross-laminated timber (CLT), retention, and recycled materials, along with modern off-site manufacturing techniques, makes Timber Square the next generation in low carbon construction. This project, along with Landsec’s wider Southwark pipeline, aims to respond to the growing demand for space in the borough.