Heidelberg Materials UK is supplying an innovative low carbon concrete solution to form the basement floors of a new retail and office development at 33-35 Piccadilly in London’s West End — marking the first time this particular combination of evoBuild products has been used anywhere in the United Kingdom.
The redevelopment project, owned by The Crown Estate and designed by architect DSDHA, has been conceived with sustainability at its core. The building is targeted to achieve a NABERS 5-star rating, a WELL Platinum Certification, and a BREEAM Outstanding classification — among the most rigorous sustainability benchmarks in the construction industry.
Working alongside groundworks contractor Realtime Civil Engineering and main contractor Kier, Heidelberg Materials developed the evoBuild low carbon concrete mix to meet the project’s demanding sustainability goals while simultaneously enhancing the structural durability of the concrete.
The evoBuild Low Carbon Concrete Solution
The concrete being supplied combines two key components: evoBuild low carbon cement, which is part of Heidelberg Materials’ range of carbon captured cements, and evoBuild low carbon GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag). Together, these materials deliver a carbon saving of 35% over standard CEM I concrete, while also offering improved durability.
Carbon Capture at the Source
The evoBuild cement used in this concrete is produced at the company’s Brevik plant in Norway. At this facility, the application of carbon capture and storage technology reduces the CO₂ emissions associated with cement production by around 50%, making it one of the more advanced approaches to decarbonising cement manufacturing currently in operation.
The Role of GGBS in Durability and Sustainability
The inclusion of evoBuild GGBS — a by-product of the steel-making process — further strengthens the sustainability credentials of the mix. GGBS is less permeable than standard CEM I cement, which increases the durability of the concrete and extends its service life, providing both environmental and long-term structural benefits to the project.
Waterproofing Integration and Supply Logistics
In addition to the structural floor concrete, Heidelberg Materials is also supplying evoBuild low carbon concrete containing its proprietary waterproofing system to protect the basement floors from water ingress. In total, approximately 3,000 m³ of evoBuild concrete is being supplied to the 33-35 Piccadilly project, sourced from the company’s King’s Cross plant.
Phillip Rice, Concrete Key Account Manager at Heidelberg Materials UK, reflected on the collaboration: “The project at 33-35 Piccadilly is set to be an exemplar in sustainable redevelopment. Through collaboration with The Crown Estate, Keir and Realtime Civil Engineering we were able to offer an innovative concrete solution that met the rigorous demands of the project while minimising its carbon impact.”
Colm Henry, Contracts Manager for Realtime Civil Engineering, highlighted a key technical advancement achieved through the evoBuild mix: “Realtime Civil Engineering had the pleasure of working with a progressive client team on 33-35 Piccadilly, which allowed us to engage Heidelberg Materials to successfully develop the evoBuild low carbon concrete mix. Previously, low carbon saving mixes affected the concrete performance on initial curing times but the evoBuild mix has overcome this issue. This benefits our overall carbon footprint with no compromise on our construction programme.”
Graham Potts, Regional Director at Kier Construction London & Thames Valley, added further context to the significance of this project within Kier’s growing London portfolio: “33-35 Piccadilly is the latest example in our growing commercial portfolio in London and highlights the value of embedding carbon considerations from the outset and maintaining that focus throughout delivery. Through our strong partnership with The Crown Estate and Heidelberg Materials UK, and by combining our in-house design and engineering expertise, we’re proud to introduce this lower-carbon concrete solution to the UK for the first time. This innovative approach enables us to closely monitor and reduce carbon throughout the project lifecycle while helping meet growing demand for lower-carbon, cost-efficient buildings.”
James Atherton, Development Director at The Crown Estate, underscored the broader strategic intent behind the choice of materials: “Across 33-35 Piccadilly and our wider portfolio, we are taking a holistic approach to reducing carbon, including looking at the materials and construction methods we use to deliver high-quality workplace. This is central to our ongoing long-term work to create a more future-ready West End. We are delighted to be working with Heidelberg Materials UK and the wider project team to bring an innovative lower-carbon concrete solution to the UK for the first time.”
A Collaborative Achievement in Sustainable Construction
The 33-35 Piccadilly project represents a meaningful step forward in sustainable construction in the UK, brought about through close collaboration between The Crown Estate, Kier Construction, Realtime Civil Engineering, and Heidelberg Materials UK. The successful deployment of low carbon concrete — combining carbon capture technology with recycled industrial by-products — demonstrates that ambitious sustainability targets and construction performance can be achieved together, without compromising programme delivery.