Platform 37 – Google HQ
- Location
- London, UK
- Client
- Expertise
- Architecture
- Design Management
- Interior Design
- Lighting
- Completion
- 2026
- Size
- 60,400 sqm
BDP serves as executive architect and lighting designer for Platform 37, Google’s new UK headquarters at King’s Cross in London, delivered in collaboration with concept architects Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).
The project utilises a large area of land alongside King’s Cross Station and comprises of over 60,400 sqm of prime office space, providing accommodation for up to 4,500 people across 11 storeys set above retail and an events and training centre at ground floor. The office accommodation will also provide ancillary spaces including cafes, a gym, multi use games area (MUGA) and pool facilities. At roof level, landscaped terraces and a running track will provide outdoor amenity and recreation space for employees.
A combination of active and passive environmental design considerations have been incorporated with the project targeting a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and LEED ‘Gold’ with an aspiration of achieving ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Platinum’ respectively. This new building, combined with the current building at 6 Pancras Square and an additional third building, will create a Google campus with the potential to house 7,000 Google employees.
The new building is being developed from the ground up and will contribute to the Knowledge Quarter and King’s Cross’s growing knowledge based economy. This building will be the first wholly owned and designed Google building outside the United States, and is set to welcome its first occupants in the summer of 2026.
The Platform 37 building was commissioned to provide additional workspace for the expansion of Google in London. The key challenge was to incorporate their global operating requirements into a complex city site significantly different from any of their existing office portfolio in the UK, and around the world.
The successful outcome is a workplace plan for the site that provides an exceptional level of support for staff and visitors whilst ensuring the building design is fully adaptable to facilitate future change with minimal disruption.
BDP's Workplace Consultancy role was a key component which led to our appointment as the lead consultant for the project. The role included working directly with Google’s global operations team to define the brief and guiding concept with architects Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in developing the scheme up to Stage 3 for client leadership approval.
The key activities that were addressed in the client's brief included workshops with Googles internal delivery teams, design reviews with the concept designers, and scenario testing with incorporation into RIBA stage documents.
Typically, stakeholders were engaged through virtual meetings and in person feedback sessions which helped to test and update design decisions. Our findings were incorporated into 3D Revit models to illustrate the delivery teams, the development of the scheme and test alternative options where the brief could not be met due to the complex nature of the site.
The main outputs included an agreed delivery strategy, which included regular monitoring of the workplace design development against the brief to ensure the leadership assessment aligned with RIBA Stage reporting.
The active and passive environmental design considerations were incorporated to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and LEED ‘Gold’. The rooftop sports and wellness spaces provide fully accessible facilities for staff and visitors alike, set to a world class standard. The now completed building sets global standards of how a sustainable city center workplace supports staff and visitors from morning to night.
The reporting of sustainable materials and planning that was developed specifically for this project has now been incorporated into the Google design guidelines. The incorporation of flexible operational strategies in the workplace will ensure that future change is completely manageable with minimal impact on staff or the environment.
Further Reading
Google names its new UK headquarters Platform 37
Google’s new UK headquarters at King’s Cross, London, has been named Platform 37, with the first occupants set to move in over the summer.