Landsec has reached the highest point of construction at its office development, The Forge.

The Forge is the UK's first net-zero carbon commercial development, comprising two new office buildings and a public courtyard. The first office to be built using the highly sustainable platform approach to design for manufacture and assembly, as defined by the UK Green Building Council's framework definition of net zero carbon in construction and operations (P-DfMA).

The project received funding from Innovate UK for its revolutionary design and ground-breaking construction procedures, which have resulted in a 25% decrease in embodied carbon since the initial design stage. The Forge, Landsec hopes, will serve as a catalyst for more environmentally friendly and efficient development across the sector. The project is planned to be completed by the end of 2022.

David Heaford, Managing Director, Development at Landsec commented: “Demand for high-quality office space that puts net zero goals of businesses and the wellbeing of their people front and centre has grown exponentially in the last year. We all need to be transitioning to net zero, and one of the key ways a business can reduce its carbon footprint is in its real estate, which is reflected in the conversations we’re having with prospective customers.

“The Forge is a landmark development and we’re excited about its potential to transform the industry. The learnings that come from the use of pioneering construction techniques will be shared across the industry at large – and we hope this will be the first of many net zero carbon buildings to come.”

The Forge was designed by Piercy & Co and Bryden Wood, and is being built by Mace and Sir Robert McAlpine in a joint venture.