Global building materials solutions supplier Cemex has supplied a high-quality lower carbon concrete, integral to the sustainable redevelopment of 65 Crutched Friars.
The transformational 20-storey former office building is in the heart of the City of London, and is being delivered by Consarc Architects and Main Contractor, McAleer & Rushe Contracts UK Ltd for Real Estate developer and operator Dominus.
Following demolition of the office block to basement level, the new 65 Crutched Friars will be a landmark mixed-use development, comprising a basement, ground floor, and 20 upper storeys, reaching a height of 61 meters. This imaginative residential scheme creates a distinctive blend of culture and community space in a prominent urban setting, located north of Fenchurch Street Station and the Tower of London.
The development was shaped by a clear sustainability ambition, with a target of achieving a BREEAM Outstanding rating - the highest tier of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology, representing the top 1% of UK buildings for sustainability. This over-arching goal placed a critical emphasis on reducing embodied carbon, while continuing to meet the demanding structural and programme requirements.
Construction of 65 Crutched Friars consists of a reinforced concrete basement and superstructure frame with a prefabricated unitised façade. Cemex delivered 13,000 m³ of lower carbon concrete, which included slipform operations of approximately 1,000 m³ slab pours. Post-tensioned concrete and steel frameworks were deployed to further bolster the strength and support.
The lower carbon concrete solution, CEM II/A L combined with GGBS, was specially selected to meet the project's carbon requirements and wider sustainability ambitions. For the C40/50 floor slabs, Cemex supplied CEM II/A L with 25% GGBS as an addition, further helping to reduce embodied carbon while meeting the required structural performance criteria. The introduction of this new lower carbon concrete marked Cemex's first high-profile use of CEM II/A L on a major project in the City of London.
James Drobka, General Commercial Manager Cemex UK said: "Working closely with McAleer & Rushe and Ian Black Consulting early in the project helped us to develop a high-performance solution, which delivers a specialist lower carbon concrete to meet the critical BREEAM rating. A successful working relationship enabled us to supply a seamless service across the project through to completion, despite the challenging site conditions. Cemex is dedicated to reducing carbon where we can, and to helping clients and main contractors achieve their sustainability goals, combining product innovation with dependable delivery and proactive technical support."
Connor Graham, Purchasing Director, McAleer & Rushe, said: "In addition to meeting the project's rigorous sustainability objectives, 65 Crutched Friars, occupies a tight urban corner plot, with limited site access – this presents many technical and logistical challenges. Meticulous planning and collaboration with Cemex enabled us to balance the project's sustainability objectives with the practical high demands of the building's construction."
Through the delivery of 782 purpose-built student accommodation rooms, the site will also include designated museum space providing the new permanent home of London's Migration Museum. Additionally, both blue and green roofs have been incorporated. The student units are further complemented by green spaces with a new pocket park and accessible roof terrace. The existing building contained some features of historic value to the City of London, including two Friars Statues mounted to the façade, which were carefully removed and will be incorporated into the new external landscaping.
Construction of 65 Crutched Friars is progressing towards practical completion in 2027, with the scheme scheduled to welcome students for the 2027/28 academic year.
