Project
Planning consent granted for Brent Cross Town Main Energy Centre
Posted on 19 November 2025
We are excited to share that planning consent has been granted for the Brent Cross Town Main Energy Centre – a 3,000m² all-electric facility that will supply low-carbon heating and cooling to 6,700 new homes and workspace for over 25,000 people.
This key piece of infrastructure will be among the largest of its kind in Europe and marks a significant step towards Brent Cross Town’s Net Zero Carbon ambitions; it will be delivered by Related Argent and Barnet Council, in partnership with Vattenfall.
The building’s angular, inverted ziggurat form maximises the space available for the rooftop fans, while also contrasting with IF_DO’s substation adjacent to create a striking silhouette against the North London skyline. A distinctive floating fan deck appears as a 'flying carpet', inspired by Mies van der Rohe's Neue Nationalgalerie and conceived as a celebration of the technology within. The lightweight, permeable structure transitions from a solid concrete base to reflective aluminium and shifting perforate textured metal, optimising airflow to the fans while remaining demountable for future adaptability.
Internally, plant rooms shape the footprint, with integrated spaces for staff and visitors including a workshop and viewing areas to support educational visits. At its core are high-performance air and water source heat pumps, electric boilers, and extensive thermal storage, supported by a network of underground pipes that enables energy to be delivered efficiently and at scale with minimal environmental impact.
More can be read about the project in Building Design.
We are proud to be part of the team delivering this critical infrastructure that will meet the needs of future generations of Londoners. Together with Related Argent, Vattenfall and Barnet Council, we are helping to create sustainable, innovative solutions where architecture and engineering can combine to accelerate the transition to low-carbon living.
