‘Pollution-eating’ paint helps project win industry award

A £50m London workspace project is using ‘pollution-eating’ paint on site and reclaimed steel from a city centre building demolition as it puts sustainability at the top of its priorities.

When TBC.London, built by Willmott Dixon for developer FORE Partnership, on the Thames riverside is complete, it will become one of the first ‘net zero in operation’ buildings in the capital.

It is already attracting plaudits having been awarded additional points for innovation by the Considerate Constructors programme, scoring 46 out of 45 – twice.

The project has also earned its Willmott Dixon construction team the Now or Never award at the company’s regional annual Creating Excellence awards at the Underglobe in London.

Chris Tredget, managing director for London and East, said: “This award celebrates the team that has gone the extra mile to reduce the impact of our business on the environment, creating buildings fit for current and future generations. Given that criteria, the team at TBC.London were obvious winners.

“The work the team has done demonstrates our sustainability values in the most impressive way. Protecting the environment is possible within the construction industry and the team at TBC.London have wholeheartedly embraced that, stepping well outside of their comfort zone to do so.”

During the project, Airlite paint, which absorbs impurities from the air, was used on the site hoardings. The team also took pre-1920s steel from the former House of Fraser site on Oxford Street to use in the building and have also engaged with Cleveland Steel to incorporate reused steel from other projects producing a cost saving for the customer and significant carbon saving.

The team have also introduced the company to a system called Q Flow that uses AI to monitor deliveries and waste, enabling the team to capture accurate data and challenge the supply chain on journey distances and more sustainable procurement. They are also investigating further carbon-saving products to incorporate within the build.

Each year employees are asked to nominate their colleagues with the winners being chosen by the London and East board of directors. The winners go forward to the company’s national Building on Better Awards in 2024.