Adopting a prominent position to the west of the Canary Wharf estate in east London, the slender 59-storey Newfoundland tower comprises a diagonal external structural grid which presents an elegant and distinctive form when set against existing nearby buildings.

Newfoundland provides 636 residential apartments along with a mixture of amenity spaces including a gym, cafe, restaurant, entrance lobby and annex building which incorporates a roof terrace. Building services plant is located across two basement levels and at roof level.

The building was given an Award of Excellence in the category ‘Best Tall Building in Europe’ by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, 2021.

Sandy Brown provided advice on the project from inception, initially in 2008 and then again in 2012, through planning (including an EIA) and construction to completion.

The site is located near to the London Underground Jubilee Line, and the Docklands Light Railway, which led to consideration of both ground-borne vibration and low-frequency airborne noise control.

A full 3D acoustic computer model of the site and surrounding area was used to develop a detailed facade sound insulation scheme, responding to the existing and future noise environment.

The ‘diagrid’ external structure presented a specific challenge in the control of airborne sound transmission both horizontally and vertically between apartments. Intricate detailing measures were adopted in order to maximise internal area whilst providing enhanced levels of acoustic separation.

The building is well-serviced, with comfort cooling provided in each apartment. The ventilation and cooling strategy went through a rigorous acoustic design process to establish the most efficient use of space and energy whilst delivering targeted low noise outputs in each habitable room.

Basement CHP and rooftop heat rejection plant were specified such that noise emissions were controlled in line with planning requirements which was of particular note given the proximity of tall nearby buildings such as 1 Bank Street and Landmark Pinnacle, both of which were Sandy Brown projects.

A refuse chute spans the height of the building, and controlling noise associated with its use formed a key element to the acoustic strategy.

A residents’ gym is located on one of the lower floors, along with other amenity spaces including a screening room. Vertical noise and vibration transfer was controlled with the use of isolated ceilings and heavy floating floor structures.