Over 120 attendees joined us for a breakfast seminar at Landsec’s Timber Square, exploring how balancing carbon reduction with evolving occupier expectations is defining the next generation of office development.
As one of the most competitive and forward-looking office markets globally, London is not just responding to this shift but helping to drive it. Timber Square – Europe’s tallest cross-laminated timber commercial development – exemplifies how innovative design and low-carbon approaches can come together to deliver best-in-class workspace that attracts global business and talent.
Panellists reflected on how the definition of ‘best-in-class’ is evolving – increasingly shaped by occupier demand for high quality, flexible environments that support collaboration and wellbeing. Sustainability is now a core part of that offer, and more closely linked to long-term asset performance and value.
The discussion also highlighted growing momentum behind circular approaches, with reuse, deconstruction and material recovery challenging traditional development models and reshaping how buildings are designed and delivered. Alongside this, there is a clear shift away from focusing on embodied carbon in isolation towards how buildings perform over time as the industry responds to rising operational and energy demands from occupiers.
Our speakers included:
- Anna Biggin, Senior Director, CBRE
- Janine Cole, Director of Sustainability & Social Impact, GPE
- Kirsty Draper, Head of Sustainability – UK Agency, JLL
- Tim Downes, Development Director, British Land
- Peter Fisher, Director, Bennetts Associates
- Oliver Hartley-Booth, Partner, Gardiner & Theobald LLP
- Oliver Knight, Head of Workplace, Landsec
- Tom Watson, Director, Heyne Tillett Steel
