The Queen has officially opened a new UK headquarters building for KPMG in London. In a ceremony at 15 Canada Square in Canary Wharf, Her Majesty unveiled a plaque marking the completion of the construction project.

 

15 Canada Square is one of the 'greenest' buildings in the UK, and was designed and constructed with the intention of achieving a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

 

• The building achieved a BREEAM 'excellent' rating in 2009 - the highest rating available at the time
• A 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions has been achieved against 2006 Building Regulations
• 20 percent of the building is constructed using recycled materials
• The 'greywater' recycling system reuses hand basin and shower water - reducing water consumption by up to 40 percent
• Heating and energy systems use a tri-generation gas-fired generator that produces electricity with lower emissions than mains electricity. Chilled beams provide an energy efficient air-conditioning system
• There are 200 bicycle spaces

 

There is a sedum (grass) roof to assist in cooling the building.