The Acre

When Gensler approached the repositioning of a unique but obsolete Brutalist building designed by noted architect Richard Seifert in London’s Covent Garden, the team recognized the unrealized potential of the existing building early in the process. To that effect, the design team developed a series of impactful interventions that retain as much of the existing structure as possible while transforming its identity and performance. With a focus on preservation of embodied carbon, passive design in the facade systems, and on tenant amenity and well-being, Gensler’s repositioning and sustainable design teams were able to preserve more than 80% of the original structure and minimize the amount of energy and emissions used in the project.

The repositioned building provides tenants with access to fresh air and greenery through operable windows and landscaped outdoor terraces. And 60% of the proposed office floor plates will be naturally ventilated and 500kg CO2e/m2 of embodied carbon will be preserved over the building’s lifespan. Through these and other climate action strategies, Gensler helped the client achieve BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum recognition for this project — top assessments of its sustainable performance. Likely to be one of the first major office buildings to be delivered in the post-COVID era, The Acre is designed with tenant well-being and sustainability as core values.