Arbor
London, UK
Arbor is a next-generation workplace in London, designed to bring together wellbeing, environmental performance and a closer relationship between office life and the city.
About
Located within Bankside Yards on London’s South Bank, Arbor is conceived as a new kind of workplace for the post-pandemic era, where interaction, creativity and inspiration are central to the experience of work. As the first completed building within the wider masterplan, it plays a key role in shaping a 24-hour neighbourhood that blends work and city life, culture and nature.
The building is designed to encourage interaction from street level to rooftop. Its urban room at ground floor and shared landscaped atria on the 2nd and 18th floors create spaces for gathering, exchange and informal working, helping to blur the boundary between workplace and neighbourhood. Large-format glazing and generous ceiling heights bring daylight deep into the building, while terraces on every other floor create semi-outdoor workspaces with their own microclimates and views across London.
Environmental performance is central to the design. Arbor is an all-electric building powered by 100% renewable energy and has been net zero in operation from day one. It also connects into the wider 5th generation energy network at Bankside Yards, helping it use significantly less energy than current best practice standards. A smart self-adjusting closed-cavity façade further reduces environmental load while improving comfort and daylight performance throughout the workplace.
Arbor also reflects a more human-centred approach to office design, integrating wellness amenities, smart workplace technology and flexible spaces that support a wide range of working styles. Within the wider Bankside Yards neighbourhood, it represents a more open, sustainable and socially connected model of workplace architecture for central London.
Awards
The building is lifted above the retained railway arches to create a more open and generous public realm at ground level. This approach preserves the character of the site while introducing new space for movement, activity and everyday city life.
Urban presence
Set at a key intersection within Bankside Yards, Arbor helps define the presence of Native Land’s wider South Bank masterplan. Positioned on a prominent corner, the building contributes to a more active and legible public realm at ground level.
"Elevating the building above the railway allows the ground plane to remain open and active. The retained arches are reactivated, supporting movement and a more connected public realm."
The arrival experience is conceived as an extension of the public realm, creating a more open and welcoming threshold into the building. It establishes a workplace environment shaped by light, movement and a stronger connection to the city.
Shared Amenities
Shared amenities play a central role in Arbor’s workplace offer, supporting wellbeing, flexibility and daily performance. Integrated throughout the building, they help create an office environment that responds to changing occupier expectations over time.
