Rethinking Sustainability: The Real Story Behind Bloomberg’s London HQ
A critical look at what makes Bloomberg’s London headquarters sustainable—and what doesn’t.
The New Bloomberg Headquarters in London: Examining Sustainability Claims
When Bloomberg’s £1 billion European headquarters opened in the heart of London, it sparked intense discussion across business, architecture, and environmental circles. Lauded as the “world’s most sustainable office building,” the project’s superlatives—from a record-shattering BREEAM score to radical design innovations—raise essential questions: What actually makes a building sustainable? And do headline-grabbing eco-credentials hold up to scrutiny?
- Location: City of London, adjacent to landmarks like the Bank of England and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- Architect: Foster + Partners, led by Lord Norman Foster in close collaboration with Michael Bloomberg.
- Scale: Sprawling across two 10-story buildings, consolidating 4,000 staff with capacity for 6,500 on a 13,000 square meter footprint.
- BREEAM Score: 98.5% at design stage—highest ever for a large-scale office building.
Context and Vision: Setting New Standards for Office Design
Michael Bloomberg set out with two core ambitions: to create an inspirational workplace and to push the boundaries of sustainable office design. The dual focus on employee wellbeing and environmental impact shaped every design decision, as did a strong desire to seamlessly integrate the building with historic London surroundings.
- The external facade utilizes 9,600 tonnes of Derbyshire sandstone, echoing traditional architecture and demonstrating sensitivity to the city’s aesthetic character.
- Urban integration: The HQ introduces three new public plazas and a central arcade reviving an ancient Roman road, emphasizing openness and civic contribution.
Innovation and Sustainability: Achievements and Ambitions
BREEAM certification stands at the heart of Bloomberg HQ’s sustainability claims. Developed by BRE Global, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rates buildings across energy use, environmental impact, and wellbeing. Bloomberg’s unprecedented score reflects several innovative features.
Key Sustainable Features
- Water Reduction: Bloomberg HQ is projected to cut water usage by 73%, saving up to 25 million litres annually by reusing rainwater, greywater, and cooling tower blow-off for toilet flushing.
- Carbon and Energy: Energy consumption and carbon emissions are reduced by 35% compared with standard office buildings, partly through on-site cogeneration and advanced building systems.
- Ventilation: A natural ventilation system minimizes reliance on mechanical air-conditioning, maintaining comfort while slashing energy demand.
- Lighting: Bespoke aluminum ceiling tiles integrate 500,000 LED lights, using 40% less energy than typical office fixtures. These also help diffuse natural light and manage acoustics.
- Heat and Power: On-site cogeneration supplies heat and power, lowering carbon emissions by an estimated 500-750 tonnes annually.
Table: Bloomberg HQ vs. Typical Office Environmental Metrics
| Metric | Bloomberg HQ | Typical Office |
|---|---|---|
| BREEAM Score | 98.5% | ~70–80% |
| Water Reduction | 73% | 0–20% |
| Energy & Carbon Reduction | 35% | 0–10% |
| LED Lighting Usage | Yes (500,000 units) | Limited |
Heritage Preservation: Integrating Past and Present
What distinguishes Bloomberg’s headquarters isn’t just sustainability—it’s the sensitive treatment of the site’s historic legacy. During construction, thousands of Roman artefacts were unearthed, prompting a partnership with the Museum of London Archaeology to restore the ancient Temple of Mithras and create public exhibitions for educational enrichment.
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- Preserved artefacts: 14,000 items dating back 2,000 years, now on display in an on-site museum.
- Urban renewal: The public arcade reconnects the city with its Roman roots, exemplifying thoughtful place-making.
Design for People: Collaboration, Wellness, and Art
The Bloomberg HQ is engineered for interaction, innovation, and wellbeing. Foster + Partners’ design pushes functional building cores to the periphery, opening visually dynamic spaces and encouraging serendipitous encounters.
- Central Spiral Ramp: Serves as architectural centerpiece and symbolic artery for movement and connection.
- Double-height Pantry: Located on the sixth floor, designed to boost informal meetings and foster collaboration.
Beyond workspaces, the HQ invests in public art and green spaces, introducing major water sculptures by Cristina Iglesias inspired by the now-buried Walbrook River. The artistic program enhances not just the site, but the broader cultural fabric of the city.
The Bloomberg Arcade: Culinary Diversity Meets Urban Renewal
Launched alongside the office opening, the Bloomberg Arcade is a pedestrian food court bringing together diverse restaurateurs and innovative culinary concepts.
- Features both established and rising London restaurants, curated by food critic Richard Vines.
- Menus reflect London’s multicultural identity, ranging from New York-style burgers to Michelin-starred Asian and Scandinavian dining.
The Arcade is a signal of Bloomberg’s commitment to public life, offering lively new leisure options for city dwellers.
Critiques and Controversy: Is Bloomberg HQ Truly the World’s Most Sustainable?
Despite its accolades—and Stirling Prize recognition—Bloomberg HQ has faced pointed criticism. Sustainability experts argue that some design choices undermine the building’s green credentials.
Major Points of Contention
- Use of Fossil Fuels: The cogeneration system relies on burning fossil fuels, primarily natural gas, which sustainability advocates argue is inconsistent with “world’s greenest” aspirations.
- Embodied Carbon: Despite material choices, the sheer size and use of new stone entail significant embedded carbon, challenging the notion of ultra-sustainability for large offices.
- Location vs. Efficiency: While the mid-rise block respects city context, some question whether more efficient layouts could achieve comparable results in less prominent locations.
As Lloyd Alter wrote for Treehugger: “The most sustainable office building in the world wouldn’t burn fossil fuels.” This critique reflects broader moves within Australia and other advanced markets to eliminate gas in favor of all-electric, renewable-powered offices.
What Does ‘Sustainable’ Really Mean for an Office Building?
Bloomberg HQ’s example brings crucial perspectives on the shifting definition of sustainability in architecture:
- Certification vs. Reality: Top BREEAM scores don’t always reflect total environmental impact, especially if fossil fuels or carbon-intensive materials are involved.
- Holistic Sustainability: Projects lauded for innovation inspire the sector, but future “greenest” buildings may need stricter standards on energy sources and lifecycle carbon.
- Leadership and Transparency: Corporate sustainability is evolving rapidly, with leading firms aiming for 100% renewable power and transparent reporting on operational and embodied impacts.
Alan Yates, technical director at BRE Global, emphasized the value of innovation and the importance of holistic design, but also acknowledged that the sector must continue raising the bar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What makes the Bloomberg London HQ different from other office buildings?
A: Bloomberg’s HQ stands out for its high BREEAM rating, innovative water- and energy-saving systems, sensitive urban integration, and commitment to heritage preservation.
Q: Does Bloomberg HQ use renewable energy?
A: The building uses on-site cogeneration (natural gas) for heat and power, which is more efficient than conventional systems but still based on fossil fuels. Bloomberg is committed to moving towards 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Q: What criticisms have been made about Bloomberg HQ’s sustainability?
A: Critics point to the use of natural gas for cogeneration and the large embodied carbon of building materials as factors that compromise the building’s ultimate sustainability compared to all-electric designs using renewable energy.
Q: How does the HQ contribute to London’s public life?
A: The headquarters introduces new public plazas, restores historic urban connections, and brings in a vibrant food arcade with restaurants representing London’s diversity.
Q: Can other companies replicate Bloomberg’s sustainable office design?
A: While some features (like advanced water recycling and collaborative spaces) are broadly applicable, large-scale stone construction and embedded cogeneration may not meet future sustainability standards in all contexts.
Conclusion: The Complicated Reality of Sustainability Leadership
The Bloomberg London HQ is a landmark in architectural innovation, urban sensitivity, and environmental ambition. It redefines possibilities for workplace design and sets new standards for open, integrated, and technically advanced office buildings. Yet, the debate over its true sustainability highlights the complexity of green building today: success depends not only on technical achievement, but on honest evaluation of carbon footprints, energy sources, and long-term operational impacts. As cities and corporations push toward stricter climate goals, tomorrow’s “most sustainable” offices may look very different.
References
- https://thefifthestate.com.au/innovation/building-construction/new-bloomberg-hq-labelled-worlds-greenest-building/
- https://theweek.com/89314/green-giant-bloombergs-groundbreaking-hq
- https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/bloomberg-hq-uk-best-building-architecture-111018
- https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/12/opinion-foster-partners-bloomberg-sustainability-climate-change-phineas-harper/
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