PCE installs first CLT walls at 3 Copper Square, Brent Cross

Marking a major milestone for PCE Ltd, we’re proud to have installed our first Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) walls at the pioneering 3 Copper Square project in Brent Cross Town.

These CLT wall panels are a key part of the building’s hybrid Kit-of-Parts solution, which combines CLT, precast concrete, and recycled steel to form a structurally efficient, sustainable, and aesthetically rich design.

The project also features PCE’s first CLT flooring installation. Manufactured with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) precision, CLT is significantly lighter than steel or concrete but offers robust load-bearing capabilities. Its natural, warm aesthetic and exposed soffits contribute to the building’s design, while its environmental benefits are substantial. Responsibly sourced from Stora Enso's Austrian facility with support from timber specailists Eurban, the CLT not only provides acoustic, thermal, and fire performance but also stores carbon, making it an excellent choice for long-term sustainability.

Standing at 14 storeys, 3 Copper Square will be the tallest building in London—and one of the tallest in Europe—to combine CLT and precast concrete. The hybrid structure uses more than 4,800 offsite-manufactured components, produced by a network of expert supply chain partners across multiple countries.

Using PCE’s HybriDfMA Frame system, the structure is being installed by just 24 multi-skilled operatives over a 12-month programme—demonstrating the power of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to deliver faster, safer, higher-quality builds with greater certainty.

Key outcomes of the HybriDfMA approach:

• 90% less waste
• 80% fewer site operatives
• 80% fewer site deliveries
• 50% faster assembly
• 29% better lifecycle carbon performance than GLA benchmark targets

The installation of CLT elements at 3 Copper Square is a significant step forward in PCE’s journey to push the boundaries of hybrid construction, combining the best of modern materials, offsite precision, and sustainable design.