WorkStack: a multi-story industrial complex in London

In the Charlton area of London, dRMM has designed WorkStack, a complex of workspace units built using cross-laminated timber (CLT). Commissioned by the Greenwich Enterprise Board and funded by the Greater London Authority, the building is an outstanding example of sustainable, low-energy architecture that challenges the concept of traditional industrial buildings.

Located in the borough of Greenwhich, WorkStack has five levels and comprises 14 units, ranging in size from 55 to 110 m², with three units per floor. Each unit provides workspace for around 60 people, equating to an employee density of 428 employees per hectare, compared to the London average for this type of building – usually single-story – of 69 per hectare.

A response to the growing need for industrial workspaces, the five stacked levels significantly reduce the building’s footprint with no loss of rentable surface area. WorkStack’s tenants include furniture makers, knitwear producers, workwear manufacturers, and a bicycle/motorcycle workshop.

 

WorkStack’s stacked design

While WorkStack’s corrugated metal cladding recalls the appearance of traditional industrial buildings, its stacked form, inspired by a log stack, gives it a striking presence. The overhangs provide shade while giving the building a dynamism that makes it a key feature in the area.

The main building material is engineered mass timber, with steel, polycarbonate, and glass used only where required by regulations. Inside, the timber is left exposed to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, eliminating the need for additional finishes while creating an appealing work environment.

 

A sustainable CLT building

WorkStack stands out for its environmental sustainability and is on track to obtain BREEAM Excellent certification thanks to the use of timber, which reduces embodied carbon. Using cross-laminated timber as a construction material not only lowers the environmental footprint of the project, but also significantly reduces construction times and material waste.

 

>>> Discover CoFactory Designtech, an innovation hub designed by Pininfarina