Architecture · Destinations
Bloomberg's new London HQ rated world's most sustainable office
Written by Lucy Wang
Lifestyle Travel Destinations
Bloomberg's new European headquarters in London scored a 98.5% against the latest BREEAM sustainability rating scheme—making it the world's most sustainable office building, as designed. Certified BREEAM Outstanding with its design-stage score, the Foster + Partners-designed project uses 73% less water and 35% less energy than a typical office building. Innovative energy saving technologies are visibly integrated into the building, from the beautiful and multifunctional petal-leaf ceiling panels to the façade's bronze solar shading fins.
From design development to construction, sustainability played a key role in the Bloomberg European HQ project. A 95% recycling rate of demolition and construction waste was achieved during the six-year construction process thanks to the reuse of existing structural foundations and a unique waste management system that tracked waste production. The new London building is one of Bloomberg's 34 LEED or BREEAM-certified projects globally.
The most eye-catching energy-saving feature of the new office headquarters is the approximately 4,000 integrated ceiling panels that combine heating, cooling, lighting, and acoustic functions. Half a million LED lights are embedded into the bespoke ceiling panels and use 40% less energy than a typical fluorescent office lighting system. The ceiling panels' metal petals also use elevated chilled water temperatures to reduce energy use in a first-of-its-kind integrated cooling system.
Related: Peek inside Bloomberg's sustainable new headquarters in London
An on-site Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation center supplies heat and power in a single, efficient system that's estimated to save 500 to 700 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Rooftop solar also provides additional power. To cool the building naturally, the facade is equipped with 117 operable large bronze fins that open and close for natural ventilation. Smart sensing controls automatically adjust airflow depending on occupancy. Rainwater from the roof, cooling tower blow-off water, and gray water are captured, treated, and recycled to flush toilets.
+ Foster + Partners
Images via Foster + Partners
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Bloomberg European Headquarters by Foster + Partners
From design development to construction, sustainability played a key role in the Bloomberg European HQ project.
The most eye-catching energy-saving feature of the new office headquarters is the approximately 4,000 integrated ceiling panels that combine heating, cooling, lighting, and acoustic functions.
Half a million LED lights are embedded into the bespoke ceiling panels and use 40% less energy than a typical fluorescent office lighting system.
To cool the building naturally, the facade is equipped with 117 operable large bronze fins that open and close for natural ventilation.
The new London building is one of Bloomberg's 34 LEED or BREEAM-certified projects globally.
An on-site Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation center supplies heat and power in a single, efficient system that's estimated to save 500 to 700 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Rainwater from the roof, cooling tower blow-off water, and gray water are captured, treated, and recycled to flush toilets.