Construction work at East Bank, the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has been awarded the highest ranking for sustainable construction.

East Bank partner London College of Fashion, UAL, was awarded a BREEAM Outstanding rating, the highest ranking possible, while the surrounding public realm and retail premises were awarded the BREEAM Excellent rating for their high levels of energy efficiency, strong public transport connections, and sustainable use of materials.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for buildings, and earning an “Excellent” rating means the development meets high standards in areas such as energy use, water conservation, waste management, and indoor environmental quality.

With the Mayor of London’s robust environmental policies and sustainability goals, achieving this certification not only helps reduce the building’s long-term operational costs but also aligns the project with broader urban development goals. For an academic institution, this level of sustainability enhances its reputation as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious entity, which can attract students, staff, and funding from organizations that prioritize green practices.

Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development, London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Achieving such high levels of BREEAM certification for a project of this scale and complexity requires a truly collaborative effort between designers, clients and constructors. The project team developed a strong evidence base to keep asking ‘How are we doing, and can we do better?’ Mapping the individual BREEAM credits through the design and build stages left the project team clear of what was needed to be done and when. This pragmatic pursuit of high sustainability ambition defines LLDC’s approach to its developments, with learnings from each project being applied to our subsequent developments.

“Our thanks in particular to London College of Fashion, UAL, Allies and Morrison, Buro Happold, LDA Design and Mace for enabling us to reach our sustainability goals.”

Heather Francis, Chief Operating Officer, University of the Arts London, said: “Achieving BREEAM Outstanding certification for the construction of London College of Fashion’s East Bank campus – following the awarding of Outstanding for its design – is a significant milestone for the University and reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability. This recognition also underscores the hard work, collaboration and shared vision of our partners and the project team at UAL. The building will not only inspire creativity and innovation but do so while championing environmental responsibility.”