An application for planning permission is set to be submitted for a new skyscraper at 22 Bishopsgate in London. The site was originally intended for the Pinnacle development but work ceased on the project in 2011. The new plans are to build a 62 storey skyscraper on the site in the heart of the Square Mile, providing vital office space and a brand new addition to the skyline. If all necessary permissions are granted, construction could begin in 2016 and be completed by 2019.

The project is particularly special because it would be the first property in London to adopt the Delos WELL building standard. This new approach to design and construction focuses on the health and wellbeing of the inhabitants of the property, ensuring the environment is conducive to maximising both. It is backed by an abundance of medical research and seeks to promote the best in occupant health.

As part of the new building standards the property at 22 Bishopsgate will feature 1,500 cycling spaces and a whole host of other facilities to encourage people to cycle to work. Showers, repair services, hire and sale services and drying rooms will all be available for workers to use. Schedules will also be put in place to minimise vehicle movements on site to make a safer environment for cyclists. This includes a delivery plan that will see deliveries and other services occur outside of office hours so there is less likelihood of a cyclist being involved in an accident with a HGV.

The development is cutting edge and will have the interests of real people right at the centre of its strategy. It will create one of the best working environments in Europe and set the bar for commercial architecture in terms of prioritising the health and wellness of occupants working in it. The environment is also considered and the property itself is to be built with sustainable principles in mind. As professional architects in London, we look forward with interest to see how this project will turn out and how it will affect new architectural design in the future.