Located in Lambeth, Paradise SE11 is a six-storey office building that sets a new precedent for sustainable construction and ambitious design. The project, delivered by B&K Hybrid Solutions (BKHS), aims to attract tenants with its biophilic design, sustainability credentials and wellbeing benefits.
Inspired by an embodied carbon analysis presented early in the design, sustainability was key for developer Bywater. Working with architect Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, structural engineer Webb Yates, and main contractor Gilbert-Ash, BKHS has helped turn a former coffee roastery into one of the first commercial buildings in London to be carbon negative.
Timber was selected through the client’s desire to embrace health and wellbeing in every element of the building, taking advantage of timber’s biophilic benefits to find a key market differentiator in London. BKHS’ expertise with CLT and glulam met the project’s complex technical demands, while providing a turnkey engineered timber and supporting steelwork solution under one combined package.
The design embraced the biophilic and aesthetic benefits of exposed timber to create a unique space. Intricately designed, prefabricated V-shaped glulam columns and visual connections with meticulously aligned dowels span the space, creating a highly aesthetic visual interior. The natural materials promote a healthy connection to nature that is often scarce in cities. Open design with generous floor heights allow the idyllic setting of the building, bordering a park on one side and overlooking a tree canopy on the other, to support occupant wellbeing.
Prefabrication significantly reduced waste, while offsite manufacturing accelerated the programme, reduced workforce requirements and facilitated just-in-time deliveries – meaning timber panels arrived on site loaded according to the erection sequence, minimising site deliveries, optimising transportation efficiency and reducing emissions. Overall, the 63,250ft2 scheme has saved 1,993 tonnes of CO2
e compared to RIBA 2030 targets, making it carbon negative for around 60 years.
During construction, the offsite benefits of prefabricated timber were also key to overcoming significant logistical challenges, given Paradise’s tight site restrictions located between the main railway line into Waterloo and a public park. The building installation was split into two phases, with specialised lifting techniques required near the railway lines to prevent potential glare affecting train drivers’ visibility. Millimetre precision in the factory-controlled environment ensured accuracy through CNC-cut timber components, which reduced on-site alterations and waste. www.bkhybridsolutions.co.uk