Paradise

Project Info

This landmark six-storey office building in central London celebrates the architectural, structural and sustainable potential of mass timber.  

Situated on a constrained former industrial site next to Waterloo Station, Paradise is the largest mass timber office building completed in the UK since the introduction of more stringent fire regulations. Its exposed CLT and glulam structure sets a new precedent for fire safety and design ambition.

With a strong public presence, the building has become a highly visible marker of contemporary sustainable design and helped to raise awareness of timber construction at a national scale.

The low-embodied carbon timber frame is a central architectural and technical feature. Its design demanded detailed coordination between structure, services and architecture. Extensive use of prefabrication, precise moisture management, and carefully sequenced installation ensured a flawless finish. All visual connections were detailed for both performance and appearance, with dowelled joints aligned for a refined, honest aesthetic.

Paradise is one of the most environmentally ambitious office buildings in the UK, achieving 413 kgCO₂e/m² embodied carbon – 35% lower than RIBA’s 2030 target and 59% better than the GLA 2020 benchmark. Its mass timber structure locks in 1,884 tonnes of CO₂ and has been designed to be fully demountable, using dry mechanical connections throughout to allow for future disassembly, relocation or reuse.

Additional credits

Specialist Timber Contractor: B&K Hybrid Solutions

Fire Engineer: OFR