Six-storey £33m London block to be built using CLT

Developer Southern Grove is to build a £33m, six-storey office block in London using cross laminated timber (CLT).

The 4,530 sq m scheme on the border with Haggerston in Shoreditch will be designed by CLT specialist architects Waugh Thistleton, which has also been responsible for the nearby 6 Orsman Road block, also constructed with CLT.

Southern Grove's new building at 16 Orsman Road will feature a terracotta façade and will be four to five times lighter than a traditional building, resulting in smaller foundations and minimal disruption to the neighbouring Grand Union canal.

Southern Grove plans to allocate around 10% of the office floor area to 'affordable' office space and the building incorporates a substantial 100-bicycle storage facility on the ground floor with additional visitor cycle spaces in front of the building.

Tom Slingsby, chief executive of Southern Grove, said: "This is a great example of a prime development, sustainably built on an infill site that really makes the most of its surroundings. 

"Shoreditch sprawl means that demand is moving towards attractive neighbouring areas and the canal is an obvious draw. The glazed facade to the property is designed to embrace what the canal has to offer, providing one of the most attractive canal-front aspects to be found in central London."

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