Design solutions for efficient timber buildings

This article considers the implications of adopting a carbon-driven design approach – with the express intent of limiting the embodied carbon of the structure.

22 Bishopsgate was erected on the site of an abandoned project, reusing 100% of the existing foundations from three previous buildings, and incorporating more than 50% of the basement built for its predecessor. This article describes the approach to reusing the existing foundations and basement, as well as the focus on material efficiency in designing the superstructure and transfer structures.

Appendix A of Eurocode 2 permits a reduction in material partial factors for reinforcing steel and concrete. Designing elements with the reduced material partial factors reduces the amount of reinforcement steel required, hence a reduction in embodied carbon and energy, without any loss of performance.