shedkm completes UK-first 14-storey hybrid timber office building at Brent Cross Town

shedkm have completed 4 Arbour Street, Copper Square, the flagship office building at Brent Cross Town, one of Europe's largest regeneration projects, for Related Argent. The 14-storey building is the first in the UK to use a hybrid precast low-carbon concrete and cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, reducing embodied carbon by approximately 30% compared to traditional build methods.

The building delivers 246,766 sq ft of flexible workspace, retail and food & beverage. Four generously planted roof terraces at levels 12, 13 and 14 offer quiet, green spaces for outdoor working and informal meeting, with sweeping views across London including Wembley Stadium and Hampsted Heath. The large penthouse office suites at level 13 are characterised by a dramatic monopitch roof with exposed timber soffit and CLT walls, cultivating a warm, tactile environment to enhance occupant wellbeing.

To support Brent Cross Town’s net zero carbon ambitions, shedkm worked with Heyne Tillett Steel to develop a unique UK-first hybrid precast concrete and timber structure that reduces the building’s overall embodied carbon impact. A precast concrete frame supports CLT floor slabs to achieve the desired 14-storey height, whilst a full-scale replica of a structural bay underwent a two-hour fire test to provide evidence for certification. The precast concrete elements achieved a 50% GGBS replacement of cement to further improve the carbon reduction of the frame. The building is targeting BREEAM Outstanding pending final assessment.

Located on the site of former railway servicing yards, industrial sheds and ‘big box’ retail units, 4 Arbour Street, Copper Square sits at the gateway to Brent Cross Town’s new business and innovation district, marking a clear shift from the area’s industrial past to its future as a connected hub for workspace, education and innovation.

The first six floors, comprising around 111,000 sq ft, will be occupied by Sheffield Hallam University as its first satellite campus in London. The campus is expected to welcome more than 5,000 students, bringing a major new higher education presence to the area.

The building's sense of arrival is reinforced by its position directly beside the new Brent Cross West station entrance - co-designed by shedkm and Studio Egret West. Delivered in a highly complex live transport environment, the construction required exceptional precision and coordination, with the station entrance remaining operational 24 hours a day throughout and just a 400mm gap between the two structures. Through careful planning and close collaboration, 11 storeys were delivered above the train station without disruption or closure. 

Surrounded by over 50 acres of green parks and playing fields, the new town will bring together 6,700 new homes, over 50 shops, restaurants and café and provide workspace for over 25,000 people. As a pioneer in hybrid timber construction, and the first office building in Brent Cross Town, 4 Arbour Street, Copper Square makes a compelling case for innovative, wellbeing-focused workspace outside of city centres and points towards an exciting, innovative future for the new town.

shedkm quote:

“4 Arbour Street, Copper Square represents a significant milestone in the growth of Brent Cross Town, establishing the first workplace aligned to the strategic sustainability and wellbeing goals of the Related Argent masterplan. The unique hybrid precast and CLT structure offers a new vision to achieve tall buildings with increasingly reduced embodied carbon. Furthermore, the warm exposed timber soffits and extensive roof terracing offers tenants an enhanced flexible workspace environment that sets the benchmark for future developments.” 

– Andrew Gowing, associate, shedkm

“Our collaboration with Related Argent & BAM on 4 Arbour Street, Copper Square reveals a step change in the workspace offer available in Brent Cross Town. The building demonstrates the need for new workspace to provide maximum flexibility in an ever-changing market. Having the ability to accommodate Sheffield Hallam University from the outset has been a huge asset and testament to the success of the development as an education hub encouraging growth and wider economic regeneration as well as an exciting place of work. We look forward to seeing further tenants take occupation and the next workspace phases of the masterplan evolve.” 

– Alex Flint, practice director, London studio, shedkm

Related Argent quote:

“4 Arbour Street, Copper Square is a clear statement of the kind of workplace we are creating here at Brent Cross Town - sustainable, flexible and designed around the needs of modern businesses. From its generous terraces and natural materials to its highly adaptable floorplates, the building has been designed to support productivity, reduce stress and create healthier, more inspiring working environments. With Sheffield Hallam University already bringing a major new higher education presence to the building, and further floors still available, our new office building makes a compelling case for businesses seeking exceptional value, enhanced facilities and room to grow beyond London’s traditional office locations.”

– Matt Flood, Development Director, Head of Commercial Development, Related Argent

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Project Information:

Location: Barnet, London

Type: New Build

Context: Urban

Development area: 30,202m2

Height: 14 storeys

Client: Related Argent

Client type: DeveloperStructural Engineer: Heyne Tillett Steel

Lead contractor: BAM Construction

Main structural system: Pre-cast concrete frame with cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor slabs
sustainability information:  


Certifications: BREEAM Outstanding

Embodied carbon:

• Upfront (A1 – A5): 628kg CO2e/m²
  Whole life (A1-C exclt. B6 & B7): 930kg CO2e/m²

Energy performance:

• Operational energy: 47.43kWh/m²/year
• CO2 emissions: 21.4kg CO2e/m²/year
• Energy source: mixed – gas and electric from central energy centre

Sustainable transport: 232 cycle spaces and lockers, 23 showers

Air quality: 12 l/s/person 

About shedkm:
shedkm are a collective of architects and designers based in Liverpool, London, Manchester and Hastings. Together we develop ideas and design buildings and places based on simplicity, logic and style. shedkm’s work is rooted in regeneration with adaptation of historic buildings being a central element of much of shedkm’s placemaking work. Our distinctive approach results in bold, engaging schemes which are economically and socially transformative. shedkm’s work has been recognised nationally by over 100 major design awards. 

www.shedkm.co.uk   

About Brent Cross Town:  

Brent Cross Town is a 180-acre new park town development being delivered by Related Argent, in partnership with Barnet Council. One of Europe’s largest regeneration projects, this pioneering mixed-use new town will provide up to 6,700 new homes, with a mix of affordable homes, rentals, and homes for sale. A thriving new high street, new parks, squares, sports and play facilities, with brand new buildings for three local schools, as well as 3 million sq. ft. of office space are being created, set alongside 50 acres of open green space, all underpinned by core values of physical and social connectivity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness.

www.brentcrosstown.co.uk