Paper Yard, Canada Water

As part of British Land and AustralianSuper’s 53-acre Canada Water Masterplan, the Paper Yard project aimed to transform a disused car park into a semi-permanent, flexible laboratory and workspace facility. The challenge was to deliver 33,000 sq ft of high-quality lab-enabled space within a constrained site, adjacent to the TEDI-London building, while adhering to ambitious sustainability goals and a tight nine-month programme. The project also needed to align with circular economy principles, allowing for future disassembly and reuse of materials.

G& provided Cost Management and Construction & Property Tax Advice services throughout the development of Paper Yard. The building was constructed using 106 prefabricated modules, many of which were reconditioned, and assembled on-site in just six weeks. The design incorporated sustainable features such as a 360m² green roof, heat recovery ventilation and PIR LED lighting. Flexible floorplates were created to accommodate a range of suite sizes, split between laboratory and co-located workspace, with a central servicing core for shared lab amenities. The building's timber cladding and modular construction reduced embodied carbon and allowed for future disassembly and repurposing as part of the Canada Water Masterplan.

Completed in June 2023, Paper Yard now provides a vibrant, sustainable environment for research, work, and education, encouraging interaction and promoting wellbeing. The project successfully delivered a high-quality, flexible lab and workspace facility within a constrained site and tight timeframe, aligning with the UK's broader ambition to become a global leader in science and technology. G&T's expertise in cost management and tax advice ensured the project met its financial and sustainability objectives, contributing to the ongoing transformation of Canada Water into a thriving, mixed-use community.