The Black & White Building

The Office Group sought to create a flagship workspace in Shoreditch that would exemplify sustainable design and construction. The challenge was to replace an existing structure with a new building that not only met the highest environmental standards but also showcased the potential of mass timber as a viable alternative to traditional construction materials. Achieving this required innovative approaches to design, engineering, and material selection, all within the constraints of a dense urban environment.

G&T provided Cost Management and Construction & Property Tax Advice services throughout the project, working closely with Waugh Thistleton Architects and the wider design team. The building was constructed using a combination of CLT and LVL - cross-laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber - resulting in a lightweight and strong structure. The façade features thermally modified tulipwood louvres, providing solar shading and contributing to the building's aesthetic appeal. Using prefabricated timber components allowed for efficient construction, reduced waste, and a significant reduction in embodied carbon compared to conventional buildings.

Completed in 2023, The Black & White Building is central London's tallest mass timber office building, offering 48,000 sq ft of flexible workspace. Compared to similar concrete structures, the project achieved a 37% reduction in embodied carbon and is powered entirely by renewable energy. G&T's expertise was instrumental in delivering a commercially viable project that sets new sustainable office design and construction standards.