Case Study: Graphenstone Ambient Pro+ in Grosvenor Estates’ Holbein Gardens Project

The Holbein Gardens project by Grosvenor Estates is a remarkable example of sustainable and environmentally conscious urban development. Situated in London’s prestigious Belgravia area, Holbein Gardens reflects Grosvenor’s commitment to incorporating the highest environmental standards in their buildings. Central to this sustainability ethos was the specification of Graphenstone Ambient Pro+, a pioneering paint with sustainable properties, which played a key role in reducing the building’s environmental impact and enhancing its long-term sustainability.

Grosvenor Estates’ Holbein Gardens was designed as a forward-thinking office space aimed at achieving exemplary sustainability credentials. This project, part of Grosvenor’s broader vision to become a net-zero carbon business by 2030, was designed to blend cutting-edge energy efficiency with sustainable construction materials.

• BREEAM Excellent rating: The project was designed to exceed standards in areas like energy use, water consumption, and material selection.
• LEED certification: Holbein Gardens is aiming for a top-tier LEED certification, cementing its place as one of the greenest office developments in the UK.
• Sustainable building materials: From the outset, Grosvenor specified low-impact, sustainable materials to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

One of the standout choices was the use of Graphenstone Ambient Pro+, a natural mineral based paint designed for high-performance and low environmental impact.

Graphenstone Ambient Pro+ is an innovative, high-performance paint that contributes to the sustainability of the built environment in multiple ways. It was chosen by Grosvenor for Holbein Gardens due to its environmental credentials, health benefits, and ability to enhance air quality.

1. Trace VOCs and Healthy Indoor Air Quality

One of the standout features of Graphenstone Ambient Pro+ is its trace level of VOCs formulation. In a project like Holbein Gardens, where Grosvenor aimed to create a healthy working environment, the reduction of VOCs was crucial. This was backed up by Ambient Pro+’s Cradle to Cradle GOLD certification

By using Ambient Pro+, Grosvenor was able to ensure:

• Reduced risk of respiratory issues and allergies for building occupants.
• A healthier indoor atmosphere, particularly important for office environments where people spend extended periods.
• Improved indoor air quality, aligning with the project’s green building certifications.

2. Air Purification and Carbon Absorption

Graphenstone Ambient Pro+ also goes beyond just being a “safe” paint — it actively improves the environment by purifying the air. The paint is formulated with lime, which naturally absorbs CO₂ as it cures. This process mimics a natural “lime cycle”, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the building.

In the Holbein Gardens project, the use of Ambient Pro+ allowed Grosvenor to:

• Offset a portion of the building’s CO₂ emissions, contributing directly to the goal of reducing operational carbon.
• Enhance the indoor air quality through continuous air purification, which is particularly beneficial in urban environments where pollution levels are higher.
• Align with their long-term vision of net-zero carbon operations by using materials that actively contribute to carbon capture.

3. Durability and Longevity

Graphenstone Ambient Pro+ is known for its exceptional durability, thanks to its graphene-enhanced formulation.

At Holbein Gardens, this durability reduced the need for future repainting, lowering the environmental impact associated with maintenance, and ensured the building’s surfaces remained aesthetically pleasing and protected, which aligns with Grosvenor’s focus on creating high-quality, enduring spaces.

4. Natural, Sustainable Ingredients

Ambient Pro+ is made from lime (calcium hydroxide), natural minerals and sustainable raw materials making it an environmentally responsible choice. These materials are non-toxic, minimising their environmental footprint during both production and disposal phases.

For Grosvenor, using Ambient Pro+ contributed to:

• Reducing the reliance on petrochemical-based paints.
• Promoting a more sustainable supply chain by sourcing from natural, renewable materials.
• Ensuring that the project met stringent sustainability criteria, supporting its BREEAM and LEED goals.

Grosvenor Estates’ decision to use Graphenstone Ambient Pro+ was rooted in several key factors:

1. Alignment with Sustainability Goals

Grosvenor is dedicated to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, and every material specified for Holbein Gardens needed to support that goal. Graphenstone’s air-purifying, carbon-absorbing properties directly supported this ambition.

2. Health and Well-being

Ambient Pro+ helped create a healthier indoor environment, which is a growing focus in sustainable design. The Trace VOC formulation ensured that the office space would promote occupant well-being, a priority for high-quality work environments.

3. Durability and Low Maintenance

The graphene-enhanced strength of Ambient Pro+ ensured that the paint would last longer, reducing future resource use and aligning with the project’s sustainability ethos.

4. Credibility and Certifications

Graphenstone is a globally recognised leader in sustainable paints, and its sustainable credentials supported the Holbein Gardens project’s pursuit of top-tier sustainability certifications like BREEAM and LEED.

Graphenstone Ambient Pro+ was a natural fit for Grosvenor Estates’ Holbein Gardens project, providing both immediate and long-term environmental benefits. Its innovative formulation supports healthier indoor environments, contributes to carbon reduction, and ensures durability — all crucial factors in Grosvenor’s strategy to create a sustainable and net-zero future. Holbein Gardens stands as a flagship example of how sustainable materials like Ambient Pro+ can help transform urban buildings into green, healthy spaces that benefit both occupants and the planet.

Want to explore more products with sustainable properties by Graphenstone? Visit the full range of products on the 2050 Materials platform here.