The Lantern stands at the corner of Hampstead Road and Drummond Street in Euston, a transformation of the 1960s-built Stephenson House. Overclad in the 1980s, the original office block lacked character and sustainability credentials. In 2016, we took on the challenge of creating a low-carbon, mixed-use development that would include offices, retail, a health centre, and residential space. With no pre-let tenant, we had the flexibility to push sustainability further, integrating innovation from the start.
The Lantern
Euston, NW1
Reimagining a 1960s office into a sustainable mixed-use hub
Recycling 98% of building waste
- Retained 33% of the original structure while expanding the building by 46%.
- Reused all existing foundations, basement car park floor, basement retaining walls, and the ground floor slab.
- Recycled 98% of construction waste, exceeding our original 95% target.
- Transformed the former car park into a cycle hub, with 252 bike spaces, 42 showers, and 256 lockers.
Blending nature and technology
- Sustainably sourced wood featured throughout, including a glulam timber roof for lower embodied carbon.
- Greenery at every level – landscaped terraces, pocket gardens, and an atrium filled with natural light and plants.
- Smart window design and active ventilation façades reduce the need for air conditioning.
- Photovoltaic panels and LED lighting cut operational emissions.
The impact
- Whole Life Cycle embodied carbon: 732kg CO₂e/m², beating RIBA’s 2030 target of 750kg CO₂e/m².
- Falls within LETI Band B for Net Zero, a major achievement for a design conceived before LETI targets existed.
- Annual operational carbon: 168.5kg CO₂e/m², with a total of 3,744.3kg CO₂e/m².
- BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification and winner of the 2023 BCO London Award for ‘Best Commercial Workplace’.
Future learnings
- Exploring a hybrid structural approach – incorporating recycled steel and mass timber could reduce future emissions.
- Rethinking M&E design – plant accounts for only 15% of materials but holds disproportionately high embodied carbon.
- Encouraging manufacturers to innovate in sustainable M&E solutions will be key to cutting long-term emissions.
The Lantern proves that low-carbon, mixed-use developments are not just possible—they set a new standard. By rethinking materials, prioritising reuse, and integrating nature with technology, we created a dynamic, future-ready building that will endure for generations.
