News & Press
•Topping out at Timber Square
Timber Square has reached structural completion, topping out the largest commercial CLT structure in the UK.
Transforming a large industrial site in Southwark’s Bankside area, Timber Square is a pioneering net zero carbon mixed-use redevelopment comprising 52,000m² of office accommodation across two buildings. The Print Building, a former printworks, retains 80% of the original structure, fully refurbished and extended with six additional storeys. Next to this sits the Ink Building, a new-build 15-storey office.
By prioritising retention, utilising engineered timber and incorporating reused steel, Timber Square leads the way in green building practices. 115 tonnes of reclaimed steel was matched and procured using the HTS Stockmatcher, saving 276 tonnes of embodied carbon compared to new steel. The structural design was further optimised for the use of over 50% scrap-EAF steel – steel primarily produced from scrap using an Electric Arc Furnace – which has a much lower carbon footprint than steel produced using traditional blast-furnace methods.
“A joyous afternoon at the Timber Square topping out ceremony, and a chance to reflect on some impressive stats:
+ The tallest building in the UK with CLT floors
+ The tallest building in the world with a hybrid steel and CLT structure
+ One of the largest, if not the largest, CLT projects in Europe, sequestering 4999 tonnes of embodied carbon
Taller mass-timber buildings exist in the US, Canada and Europe – I hope this project helps progress regulatory acceptance to allow similar buildings to be developed in the UK.”
Tom Watson, Director, Heyne Tillett Steel
Completing in Q4 2025, Timber Square is targeting Net Zero Carbon as well as other industry-leading certifications including BREEAM Outstanding, Well Platinum and a minimum NABERS 5-star rating, setting a benchmark for large-scale commercial developments with sustainable design at the centre.
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