The capital’s most talked about garden opened to the public earlier this year and has firmly made its way onto everyone’s list of London ‘must sees’. Without the hefty price tag you may associate with The Shard for instance, a trip up to 20 Fenchurch Street’s Sky Garden is a free experience to the public.

Many onlookers have voiced their concerns over London’s over-populated skyline and criticized the developer’s proposal to build high – neighboring properties also appealed against the scheme. But in the face of increased media attention on sustainability and eco initiatives, 20 Fenchurch Street’s Sky Garden as a quid pro quo for building high, in my view, has been an admiral.

With many local planning authorities now requiring an energy and/or sustainability statement to be submitted as part of planning application, FC&A talks to Darren Evans of Darren Evans Assessments who explains the requirements ensuring you balance environmentally sound proposals with commercial viability. Turn to page 14 to read more.

Elsewhere in this issue, FC&A profiles a new gym concept designed to attract London’s dynamic, professional, image-conscious crowd. Featuring an eye-catching active frontage and the very latest fitness equipment, the scheme embodies a contemporary, design-led industrial luxe aesthetic. Turn to page 26 to find out how global retail design agency, Sheridan&Co spearheaded the brand’s retail approach and design.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips, via Future Constructor & Architect’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘fc&a’ on Google Play or the App Store.