24 Chiswell Street achieves SKA Gold
The journey to our new office at 24 Chiswell Street is a testament to practicing what we preach, uniting our strengths in design, technical services, project delivery, and sustainability to achieve SKA Gold.
Our in-house sustainability team played a central role in shaping the project. With an experienced SKA assessor and a proven track record of delivering SKA Gold projects, the team brought invaluable insight and guidance from early planning through to final certification. Their involvement enabled us to achieve 54 measures across multiple categories, including materials, waste, wellbeing, and energy.
Material effect
Materials were a major contributor to the SKA assessment, accounting for 28% of the measures achieved. Every component specified met strict sustainability criteria, from verified EPDs and Cradle to Cradle certification to high recycled content or reuse. All timber elements achieved were FSC or PEFC certified, ensuring responsible sourcing. Standout examples such as the bespoke joinery and flooring finishes highlight how thoughtful material selection elevated the project’s sustainability performance.
Circularity in motion
Early engagement and careful planning enabled us to embed circular economy principles throughout the project, allowing many waste reduction measures to be achieved with ease. By applying our standard policies and established reuse strategies, we diverted materials from waste and kept products in circulation for longer. A key success was the reuse of 100% of the stripped-out floor finishes, redistributed across our wider reuse network. Several mechanical and electrical components were also retained in situ by intelligently relocating them within the space, avoiding unnecessary replacement.
Beyond the SKA assessment, we extended this circular approach to our previous office, where we ensured a positive social and environmental legacy by donating surplus furniture to community hubs across London.
People-led design
Wellbeing was a core focus of the fit-out, with measures designed to enhance comfort, health, and user experience. Indoor air quality was continuously monitored throughout the fit-out, with low-VOC paints, varnishes and polishes specified to minimise emissions. A generously sized breakout space further enhances the workplace, supporting both collaboration and moments of relaxation. Exceptional outside views provide natural light and a strong connection to the cityscape, creating a more uplifting and enjoyable place to work.
Our new home at 24 Chiswell Street is more than a fit-out, it’s a proof point of what happens when we hold ourselves to the same standards we deliver for clients. By designing with intention and delivering with integrity, we’ve created a workspace that reflects who we are today and the positive impact we aim to make on every project.
Key SKA deliverables:
- The installed lighting load was calculated as 5.73 W/m2, supporting a highly energy efficient lighting strategy.
- In use operational emissions were minimised using R32 refrigerants, achieving 28.32 kgCO2e per kW of cooling capacity, reducing refrigerant leakage emissions. All insulants specified have a Global Warming Potential below 5.
- Solar control measures include blinds with a visible light transmittance of 5%, helping to manage solar glare.
- The data centre achieved a strong infrastructure efficiency of 73%, supporting reliable performance with reduced energy consumption.
- A zero M&E strip-out waste approach was delivered by retaining and relocating existing mechanical and electrical components.
- A total of 18.6 tonnes of construction and demolition waste was produced, with 88.43% diverted from landfill through recycling, and the remaining fraction sent for energy recovery via incineration.
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) were provided for all key materials, including ceilings, partitions, wall finishes, flooring, kitchen fittings, and joinery, demonstrating transparent and responsible material selection.
- Carefully designed lighting ensured consistent internal light levels of 300–500 lux, creating a comfortable, productive environment for occupants.
