The company had big ambitions for its new European headquarters in London, UK. Choosing a prime location between the Bank of England and St Paul’s Cathedral, Bloomberg partnered with industry experts and forged ahead with the build of a world-class commercial space. The new headquarter was set to occupy 3.2 acres and provide over 1.1 million square footage of sustainable offices.

Through very early engagement between Bloomberg, Foster + Partners, SRM and Sweco, an implementation plan was agreed upon. Using BREEAM as a catalyst, the plan prioritised exploring sustainability opportunities and how the client’s ‘green’ aspirations could be met across a wide range of categories.

Integrated ceiling panels

Bespoke integrated ceiling panels combine air supply, cooling, lighting and acoustic functions in an innovative petal-leaf design. The system, which incorporates 500,000 LED lights, uses 40 percent less energy than a typical fluorescent office lighting system. The panels were prefabricated off-site to reduce construction site wastage. The large petal-leaf surface area enables elevated chilled water temperatures to be used with associated energy benefits.

Water conservation

Rainwater from the roof, cooling tower blow-down water, and grey water sources, like basins and showers, is captured, treated and recycled to serve vacuum flush toilets. These use net zero mains water for flushing. Overall, the integrated water conservation systems including the first vacuum toilet installation of this scale in the UK, will save 25 million litres of water each year, enough to fill ten 50-metre swimming pools annually.

Breathing building

When ambient weather conditions are temperate, the building’s distinctive bronze blades can open and close, allowing the building to operate in a ‘breathable’ natural ventilation mode. Reducing dependency on mechanical ventilation and cooling equipment significantly reduces energy consumption and provide future proofing.

Smart airflow

Smart CO₂ sensing controls allow air to be distributed according to the approximate number of people occupying each zone of the building at any given time. The ability to dynamically adjust airflow in response to occupancy hours and patterns is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 300 metric tonnes each year.

Combined heat and power

An on-site combined heat and power (CHP) generation centre supplies heat and power in a single, efficient system with reduced carbon emissions. Waste heat generated from this process is recycled for cooling and heating and, in use, is expected to save 500-750 metric tonnes of CO₂ each year.

Sustainable occupation

Bloomberg has been a zero-landfill operation in London since 2010; instead waste is recycled, composted or converted to energy. This commitment will continue at the new site, with better waste streaming to enable a greater proportion of waste products to be reused and recycled.

The new development’s interiors encourage active working, with sit-to-stand work stations for all employees and a central ramp spanning six floors that encourages movement through the building on foot. Two cycle centres and a wellness centre incorporating on-site health services will also be available to all employees.