Wates has started refurbishment works at Ada’s new London Victoria campus, transforming a former secondary school into a National College for Digital Skills. Established in Tottenham in 2016 to address the talent shortage and lack of diversity in the digital industries by creating a diverse pipeline of talent, Ada is
Works on Coal House, an ultra-green, next generation office space in Cardiff city centre, have now been completed after a significant redevelopment programme. Thought to now be one of the most sustainable offices in Wales, Coal House, on Dumfries Place, has undergone a huge transformation, resulting in a cutting-edge 30,000
European real estate investor to deploy Honeywell solutions across its commercial building portfolio in Romania and Poland to improve operational efficiency and support sustainability efforts Honeywell announced yesterday that Globalworth, a leading real estate investor in Central and Eastern Europe, has selected its connected technology to help increase operational efficiency,
Office blocks across London and beyond could hold one of the keys to helping manage energy costs and enable decarbonisation. In a pioneering new scheme run by UK Power Networks, a building in Central London is helping to reduce demand on the electricity network at peak times, by adjusting its
Lincoln-based Stirlin Construction, part of Stirlin Group, has completed a new £1.8 million headquarters in Louth, Lincolnshire, for accounting and business adviser Duncan & Toplis. Oxley House is located on the Fairfield Industrial Estate on Lincoln Way and brings 10,000 sq. ft. of premium office space to the town. The
CBRE’s Liverpool Office Agency team has been instructed as sole letting agents by Wirral Borough Council to market 2 Grade A new build offices totalling 147,767 sq ft in Birkenhead. Currently on site, the scheme is earmarked for completion in Autumn 2023, the only new build offices completing in the
Leading independent property advisory firm, Lismore Real Estate Advisors, released its review of the Scottish investment market for the first quarter of 2023, which focuses on the office sector. With prime yields stabilizing, Lismore forecasts growing interest in prime city centre offices, particularly well-let regional offices in cities with limited
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has released an early update to its Guide to Specification, its most recognised publication, providing expert advice on how to specify office space. The update responds to challenges emerging from the pandemic and the accelerating need for the built environment to respond to climate
Employees, especially in open-plan offices, often complain of increased fatigue and concentration problems. Daily noise from conversations, phones, keyboard sounds, and printers has a negative effect on mood and productivity. That’s why many companies are already thinking about how they can quiet offices and provide space for employees to perform
Colliers calls on Government to Provide Greater Support to Tech and Creative industries who will struggle as business rates rise in Revaluation 2023 The 2023 business rates revaluation will come into effect on 1st April 2023, the first of its kind for six years and according to business rates experts
Wates has started refurbishment works at Ada’s new London Victoria campus, transforming a former secondary school into a National College for Digital Skills. Established in Tottenham in 2016 to address the talent shortage and lack of diversity in the digital industries by creating a diverse pipeline of talent, Ada is a pioneering college and charity for young people aged 16-24, with 97% of its alumni working in tech or studying advanced degrees. The project, carried out for the Department of Education (DfE), involves upgrading the building with the latest digital technology education facilities. The Wates project will ready for teaching to start at Ada’s new campus for the Autumn 2023 term. Workshops will be converted into IT suites for the college’s core computing qualifications and lecture theatres will replace traditional classrooms. Plans also include a cafe, sports hall, gym and roof terrace with views over London. Ada is working to remove the glass ceiling for women and encourage individuals from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds into the tech industry. Students benefit from a diverse curriculum, opening doors into a variety of careers in fields such as cybersecurity, animation and data analytics. Ada has reached its capacity due to the number of students wanting to enrol and take their first step towards an exciting career in the tech sector. The new Victoria location not only offers more in terms of facilities, it also provides a wider geographical reach for future learners and employer partners. The new building will also allow Ada to double their learner numbers in the coming years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Works on Coal House, an ultra-green, next generation office space in Cardiff city centre, have now been completed after a significant redevelopment programme. Thought to now be one of the most sustainable offices in Wales, Coal House, on Dumfries Place, has undergone a huge transformation, resulting in a cutting-edge 30,000 sq ft office building that is net zero carbon in operation[1], stylishly designed and promotes health, wellbeing and productivity. Formerly known as Dumfries House, Coal House has been redeveloped by investor and developer Create, which is currently in talks with several potential tenants about taking space in part of the building. Coal House is 100% powered by renewable energy, partly by its own solar panels, with an energy-efficient heating, ventilation and comfort cooling system, as well as LED lighting, to keep energy use to a minimum. Smart building technology, including a network of intelligent sensors, monitors and manages air quality, energy consumption, temperature and occupancy of the spaces, helping to save energy and cost. Tenants can access the real-time data through the bespoke CoalHouse.Life app, enabling cost efficiency and accurate ESG[2] reporting. A zero-to-landfill waste management system and low-flow water appliances are also in place. With spaces for both creative collaboration and quiet contemplation, Coal House is home to the Atrium Lounge and speciality coffee and juice bar, the Coffee Bar, with a proportion of profits made from drink sales donated to a local charity chosen by the Coal House tenants. A calendar of events curated by the Coal House team and space for businesses to hold their own events will pave the way for an inclusive community feel by creating opportunities to socialise and forge new connections. Other features of the Coal House app include breakfast and lunch deliveries to your office as well as meeting catering – all provided by Cardiff-based The Tidy Kitchen Co, which provides quality convenience and luxury healthy food. The app also offers a visitor management system, as well as access to services that can be arranged by the concierge team, such as dry cleaning, cycle repair and car valeting. Local discounts and offers, including for a nearby nursery, coffee shops and bike servicing, are also available for tenants via the app. Careful attention has been paid to create an industrial-chic aesthetic within the space by award-winning design agency Run for The Hills. The shared spaces draw on a biophilic design approach, which brings the beauty and calm of the outdoors inside. Plenty of plants and natural materials, such as sustainable bamboo, eco-engineered timber and recycled weave flooring, aim to boost residents’ creativity, productivity and well-being. Ricky Humphreys, director of Create, said: “We are delighted to have given a new lease of life to this once dated city centre office building, creating a highly sustainable, future-fit workplace that will provide an inspiring and attractive working environment with plenty of perks for businesses and staff. We set out to achieve an optimal balance between retaining the embodied carbon in the existing building and keeping energy consumption to a minimum, in line with our goal to make Coal House somewhere environmentally conscious businesses would feel proud to be based.” Coal House is equipped with eight electric vehicle charging points and grab-and-go community bikes for use by the on-site community. There is generous secure cycle storage and car parking, showers and changing facilities, as well as a DIY bike maintenance station where bike users and visiting technicians can carry out repairs and servicing. Coal House is just five minutes on foot from Cardiff Queen Street and a short walk to Cardiff Central. Kieran Crowe, director and head of net zero buildings at the Low Carbon Alliance, which acted as a consultant on Coal House, said: “Coal House has showcased the ability to achieve net zero in operational status and an impressive EPC ‘A’ rating through retrofit, by utilising standard fit-out practices alongside technology. “The building self-generates most of its power needs through rooftop PV and does not utilise any fossil fuels. I hope other developers and property funds can take inspiration from this building and understand that great outcomes for the environment are possible and commercially viable. As members and partner of UKGBC’s Advancing Net Zero programme, we have taken Coal House forward as a leading example of retrofit for net zero.” There is between 3,000 – 30,000 sq ft of high quality space available to let immediately at Coal House, aimed at companies who want to take a conventional lease but with the added amenities not typically provided in many office buildings. The space, which has disabled access, has superfast plug and play fibre connectivity and can be fitted out according to tenants’ requirements, and even provided on a fully serviced basis. The building has achieved Wired Score Platinum, SKA Gold and AirRated Platinum, as well as targeting Fitwell two stars and BREEAM Excellent. Coal House is marketed for let by Savills and Knight Frank in Cardiff. Interested businesses should contact Gary Carver at Savills via gcarver@savills.com or by calling 07972 000 171, or Mark Sutton at Knight Frank via mark.sutton@knightfrank.com or by calling 07919 395 593. Visit https://www.coalhouse.co.uk/ to find out more. [1] The redevelopment of Coal House has been aligned to the definition of Net Zero Carbon published by UKGBC. Coal House has to date achieved an EPC A rating, which verifies the building is highly efficient. [2] Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
European real estate investor to deploy Honeywell solutions across its commercial building portfolio in Romania and Poland to improve operational efficiency and support sustainability efforts Honeywell announced yesterday that Globalworth, a leading real estate investor in Central and Eastern Europe, has selected its connected technology to help increase operational efficiency, support sustainability efforts, and improve the occupant experience across the Globalworth portfolio of commercial office buildings in Romania and Poland. Globalworth will use solutions from Honeywell Forge for Buildings, a comprehensive approach to building system operations and management, to help improve performance and reduce energy consumption throughout its facilities from a single point of control. Buildings are a primary consumer of energy – the UN Environment Programme 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction found the building and construction sector accounted for 34% of energy demand and 37% of energy and process-related CO2 emissions in 2021. In Europe, the numbers are even more concerning with the buildings sector accounting for 40% of the continent’s total energy needs, 80% coming from the use of fossil fuels.[i] To help reduce this energy demand, Globalworth will use the machine learning models within Honeywell Forge for Buildings to monitor energy consumption across its buildings, down to a device or asset level, and make automatic adjustments to minimise energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort and productivity. “We believe that building technologies can provide not only better experiences for our tenants but can also add value in helping to achieve operational and sustainability goals – all without sacrificing occupant comfort. We are investing in Honeywell Forge for Buildings for its ability to integrate systems, improve maintenance, and save energy, with the aim of helping us to optimise our selected building operations,” said Dennis Selinas, CEO of Globalworth Group. Honeywell solutions, including Honeywell Forge Site Performance, Carbon and Energy Management, an application of Honeywell Buildings Sustainability Manager, and Honeywell Sine visitor management solutions, will help Globalworth digitalise real estate operations across its facilities in Romania and Poland. “Building inefficiency is a major challenge to Europe’s overarching climate objectives, and with the continuing energy challenges that Europe faces today, there is a pressing need to update existing buildings across the region with the right technology to maximise their energy credentials,” said Mark Loughran, president, Honeywell Central and Eastern Europe. “Honeywell Forge for Buildings represents a ready now solution to this challenge. Globalworth’s implementation of these offerings will support the company in meeting its environmental targets, while maintaining its occupants’ comfort and reducing its overall operating cost.” Globalworth is an innovator and early adopter of technology to help enable world-class experiences for its blue-chip roster of tenants. The company invests in technologies to continue to help improve the operational efficiency, safety and security, and resilience of its buildings while supporting its sustainability goals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Office blocks across London and beyond could hold one of the keys to helping manage energy costs and enable decarbonisation. In a pioneering new scheme run by UK Power Networks, a building in Central London is helping to reduce demand on the electricity network at peak times, by adjusting its temperature throughout the day. A typical office block needs to be kept at 21-22 degrees centigrade. By simply changing the times of the day at which the aircon is running and avoiding running at full power during the peak period, buildings can help reduce demand on the network. The minor change in temperature is imperceptible to most workers, and offices can earn revenue from the electricity network. Taking a smarter approach to using capacity on the network frees up space for more low carbon technologies like electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps to connect more quickly and at lower cost. In a partnership with BankEnergi and supported by Oaktree Power Limited, UK Power Networks can now call on Bracken House in Central London to provide flexibility services to the electricity network. UK Power Networks has since had interest from several companies offering similar solutions in London and beyond. The project builds on the Greater London Authority’s pioneering Flex London project, which set out to demonstrate how buildings could help manage peaks in demand on the network. Flex London concluded that flexibility could become London’s “greatest energy decarbonisation asset” – with potential for up to 1GW of flexibility by 2050 – which would free up capacity for almost 500,000 electric vehicles. Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “Buildings are responsible for nearly 70 per cent of the capital’s carbon emissions, so it’s important we manage their energy demand intelligently to help us reach net zero by 2030. It’s great to see UK Power Networks building on the Flex London project to help bring energy bills down and deliver a more flexible, lower carbon energy system for all. It’s also a great example of how a relatively small change can help make London a greener and healthier city for all Londoners.” Sotiris Georgiopoulos, Distribution System Operator Director at UK Power Networks said: “Flex London paved the way for buildings to help us decarbonise the network and now this partnership is demonstrating it can become a reality. Particularly in cities like London, making tiny changes to the way buildings operate can lead to tremendous benefits for customers, saving money and helping us connect more green technology.” BankEnergi CEO, Rajvant Nijjhar said: “We are pleased to be supporting UK Power Networks in providing demand side response services to a landmark London building. The building’s owners will benefit from lower costs and carbon emissions, without the occupants noticing a difference in comfort levels. We see this as the future in balancing grid supply and demand issues and providing vital services to DNOs like UK Power Networks. We are now looking forward to rolling out our solution across multiple buildings in London and across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lincoln-based Stirlin Construction, part of Stirlin Group, has completed a new £1.8 million headquarters in Louth, Lincolnshire, for accounting and business adviser Duncan & Toplis. Oxley House is located on the Fairfield Industrial Estate on Lincoln Way and brings 10,000 sq. ft. of premium office space to the town. The two-storey building includes open-plan office spaces, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities and a reception area. Sustainable elements of the project include EV charging points and a renewable energy solar system to the roof. The ground floor is now the home of the Louth team of Duncan & Toplis and the first floor is occupied by Wilkin Chapman Solicitors. “Oxley House is a fantastic example of Stirlin Construction delivering the design, and build, of a fit-for-purpose new facility, on time and on budget – and we are thrilled with the result. We worked closely with our long-standing client at Duncan & Toplis to design a premises that would provide a contemporary workspace to accommodate its growing team. This project was a pleasure to deliver alongside local construction delivery partners, and we’re really pleased to see the building complete and now being enjoyed by two flourishing businesses. Thank you to all involved who worked hard to deliver this brilliant facility,” said Howard Griffith, Head of Construction at Stirlin. After reaching capacity at its previous office, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire-based Duncan & Toplis appointed Stirlin as principal contractor, to develop a contemporary headquarters with sustainability and accessibility at the forefront of its design. “The opening of our new premises in Louth is a landmark moment for Duncan & Toplis. The new office is a major investment, underlining our dedication to the region, adding real, lasting value to our communities, by creating a future-fit working environment designed in collaboration with and for our team members. I am absolutely delighted with how the office is looking and we can’t wait to welcome colleagues and clients,” commented Duncan & Toplis Managing Director, Adrian Reynolds. Other partners on the project include Lincoln-based CRM advisors Hunt & Sykes, John Roberts Architects and structural engineer Steve Gilman Design, and Newark-based civil engineer William Saunders. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE’s Liverpool Office Agency team has been instructed as sole letting agents by Wirral Borough Council to market 2 Grade A new build offices totalling 147,767 sq ft in Birkenhead. Currently on site, the scheme is earmarked for completion in Autumn 2023, the only new build offices completing in the Liverpool City region this year with some of the highest ESG and EPC credentials. The scheme, being developed through the Wirral Growth Company, a 50:50 partnership between Wirral Borough Council and Muse will deliver 2 Grade A, BREEAM Excellent office buildings extending to a total of 147,767 sq ft. Wirral Borough Council will be occupying 65,447 sq ft of Building One, leaving part ground and whole of the 1st floor available extending to 24,144 sq ft. Building Two, comprising 58,176 sq ft of office space is also available. The assets are being built to the highest specification and will provide column free floorplates from 12,500-19,400 sq ft and include VRF air conditioning, metal tiled suspended ceiling, LED lighting, full access raised floor, floor to ceiling glazed elevations, 2.8m floor to ceiling heights, feature reception, showers and cycle hub facilities and will also achieve an EPC ‘A’ rating. Neil Kirkham, Senior Director at CBRE commented “CBRE is delighted to market this truly high quality asset on behalf of Wirral Borough Council. The scheme will be the only new build office completing in the Liverpool City region this year and will provide the quality of product that is missing and in high demand in the market currently. “These are exciting times for Birkenhead, following developments at Wirral Waters, together with the numerous projects Wirral Borough Council is delivering within its Birkenhead 2040 vision including Dock Branch Park, Hind Street Urban Garden Village and further commercial district development such as a new ‘repositioned’ Birkenhead Market. “Not only will the new offices benefit from the highest quality finishes and amenities, they will also achieve some of the highest ESG credentials including BREEAM Excellent, EPC A, Well Gold and Wired Score Gold. From an occupier perspective, this development offers all the key attributes employers and employees are currently seeking, with high quality national retailers and F&B offerings in the adjacent Grange Shopping Precinct and Pyramids Shopping Centre, together with unrivalled transport connectivity, The adjacent bus terminus, Conway Park and Birkenhead Central train stations also provide a two stop service to Liverpool with direct access to the wider Borough and Chester, together with 3 multi-storey car parks within 200m. “Birkenhead has not seen a speculative office scheme in the town centre for 20 years and we are therefore fully anticipating these buildings are going to satisfy a lot of pent up demand for space in the market.” David Hughes, Director or Regeneration and Place for Wirral Council said: “This scheme represents an exciting opportunity for businesses looking for modern, sustainable, first-rate office space in the Liverpool City Region. “These buildings will make a positive contribution to the regeneration of Birkenhead, which is currently undergoing significant transformation through a range of other projects. This development is a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality assets that meet the needs of businesses and the wider community. “I look forward to working closely with CBRE to bring these buildings to market and to welcoming new tenants to this vibrant and dynamic area of Wirral.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading independent property advisory firm, Lismore Real Estate Advisors, released its review of the Scottish investment market for the first quarter of 2023, which focuses on the office sector. With prime yields stabilizing, Lismore forecasts growing interest in prime city centre offices, particularly well-let regional offices in cities with limited supply, such as Edinburgh and Bristol. Colin Finlayson, director of Lismore said: “Despite limited supply and challenging conditions for new development, strong demand exists for high-quality office space, which creates opportunities for investors to underwrite rental growth. Yield levels are currently comparable to their long-term averages, making them attractive to long-term investors. Across Scotland, city centre offices show the greatest occupier demand, with potential for refurbishment/repositioning. To stay relevant in the market, retain existing tenants and achieve rental growth, owners of existing assets must invest in improving their ESG credentials and amenities. These improvements are also necessary to maintain liquidity in the investment market.” With an expert view on the market, Andy McKinlay Chair of Ediston Real Estate added: “In the city office markets, supply and demand dynamics are key, in order to achieve investor expectations and development success. The market will become more polarised, leading to a more pronounced pricing differential. “Prime, well-let, new builds with modern occupier-led space and strong sustainability credentials will continue to attract occupiers and trade well. Peripheral buildings can work, but only if repurposed to meet the necessary ESG and wellness credentials, whilst secondary office values need to fall further to reflect post-pandemic demand and capex. Buildings delivered over five years ago are overpriced and lack the necessary ESG credentials.” According to recent research conducted by Lismore, 56% of investors do not anticipate an increase in transaction volumes in the prime office sector during 2023. However, investment managers are more positive, with 56% expecting volumes to increase. However, there are concerns about the quantity and quality of stock being brought to market and the gap between vendor and buyer pricing aspirations. Regarding values, the overwhelming majority of respondents (83%) do not believe that values have fallen sufficiently for added value office space, and they need to see further reductions before revising the sector. An improving debt environment may lead to leveraged investors considering the sector, and those willing to be bold are likely to benefit from discounted deals. The consensus from respondents is that hybrid working is a structural change in working habits, with 56% of respondents expecting it to remain, while 37% expect an increase in the move to work from home, at least for part of the week, over the next year. Businesses are reacting by consolidating their office footprints while providing substantially improved office environments. Looking across Scotland, in office markets in each of the three major Scottish cities is very distinct in terms of occupational demand drivers, and investor sentiment. Edinburgh is benefitting from a broad base of occupier demand, with financial and professional services particularly active currently. This is against a background of low supply, resulting in rental growth. Vacancy rates are low across all grades (particularly in the city centre). This may defer the refurbishment of some buildings which are becoming obsolete, as owners are able to maintain income in a market with low supply. Investor sentiment has settled for prime and investors are actively looking for refurbishment opportunities, though there is a mismatch between sellers and buyers pricing. In the west, Glasgow has traditionally been more reliant on the public sector and corporate occupiers, and both sectors are currently quite inactive on new acquisitions while they work out longer-term space needs. One area of the market that is letting quickly though, is where landlords are offering more flexible and Cat B-fitted options. We expect to see more landlords adopting that strategy as a drive to fill vacant space. With investor sentiment currently being closely tied to occupational trends, the yield gap between Edinburgh and Glasgow has widened and the investor pool is shallower. At an occupational level, Aberdeen is showing genuine signs of improvement. Headline supply levels remain stubbornly high, however, a reasonable proportion of the total supply is effectively obsolete and requires re-positioning or demolition. Good quality stock is gathering letting momentum, both in and out of town and, with the backdrop of little planned new development, dynamics could continue to improve. At an investment level, the city remains low on buyers shopping lists, however, recent transactions such as the sales of Kings Close and Johnstone House provide considerable yield compensation for the more opportunistic and income-focused buyer. The full LISMORE QUARTERLY REVIEW including Research Findings & Expert Views is available to download from: HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has released an early update to its Guide to Specification, its most recognised publication, providing expert advice on how to specify office space. The update responds to challenges emerging from the pandemic and the accelerating need for the built environment to respond to climate change. The update advises designers how to create healthier offices that support changing working patterns, while reducing carbon emissions. New recommendations include: Reflecting the world of hybrid work The BCO has updated its guidance on space allowed for each employee when designing a speculative office building. 10m2 per person is recommended as the occupancy density design standard for general workspace. The former high occupancy density allowance of 8m2 per person has been redefined as a special use case for exceptional cases. Designing for the 10 m2 per person occupancy density provides greater scope for the variety of workplace settings needed to support hybrid working. It also avoids overdesign of core services, improves floorplate efficiencies, and minimises carbon emissions. The effect of changing technology The greater use of low-powered tablets, laptops, and smart phones, plus growth of cloud computing has allowed a reduction in small power load allowances 100 W to 60 W per person. This reduces the heat generated in the office space, which in turn reduces the cooling needed. Supporting the office sector to achieve net zero carbon Many developers already target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for new offices. Reflecting the rapid progress in the sector in adopting more demanding sustainability targets, the Guide is moving its minimum BREEAM target rating from ‘Very Good’ to ‘Excellent’, and introduces the latest building certification standard, NABERS UK – an energy performance rating relying on measured energy use. The update recommends targeting a 5-star NABERS UK rating for new building design. Market trends have fuelled a desire to create flexible, relatively column-free, open-plan offices. However, the structural solutions needed can be carbon intensive. The 2023 update to the Guide aids the future adoption of alternative structural materials such as timber by adding smaller 6.0 and 7.5 m spans to the recommended range. This wider range provides designers with more options to minimise the embodied carbon of the structure. The selection of high-performance facades, lighting and building services systems should also be made with net zero targets in mind, prioritising energy efficiency. Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “The BCO Guide to Specification often described as the ‘design bible’ for the office sector is an essential resource for the decision makers who invest in, develop or design millions of square feet of office space every year. The 2023 Update will drive the decarbonisation of the office sector, enacting change to help the industry deliver on the UK’s net zero by 2050 target. This new guidance for the highest-quality offices introduces more generous space standards and greater design flexibility to support wellbeing and sustainability as the office sector adapts to the world of hybrid work.” Neil Pennell, Chair of the BCO’s Technical Affairs Committee and Head of Design Innovation and Property Solutions at Landsec, said: “The BCO’s new guidance reflects changes in design thinking since 2019 driven by Net Zero Carbon targets, increased hybrid working post COVID-19, changes in regulations and improvements in equipment performance. There is a clear imperative to adopt a whole-building approach to decarbonise the sector which needs to start with the design and specification of new and refurbished office space. Developed in collaboration with the UK’s leading experts, the BCO Guide to Specification gives clear advice on how operational and embodied carbon can be reduced without compromising the need to provide flexible office space that meets the needs of occupiers and helps them to conduct their business in safe, healthy, comfortable and productive workspaces.” The BCO Guide to Specification update has been developed in consultation with experts from across the industry, including agents, investors, occupiers, and developers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Employees, especially in open-plan offices, often complain of increased fatigue and concentration problems. Daily noise from conversations, phones, keyboard sounds, and printers has a negative effect on mood and productivity. That’s why many companies are already thinking about how they can quiet offices and provide space for employees to perform their duties comfortably and productively. Several solutions are available to minimize noise in the workplace and create spaces that are effectively isolated from their surroundings. Read the article and learn how to provide pleasant acoustics for work. In the office like a beehive – what are the sources of noise in the company? In large corporate spaces and open-plan offices, various types of noise make it difficult to work efficiently. The noise comes not only from phone calls or lively discussions. It has four sources: The permissible noise level in the office is regulated by the PN-N-01307:1994 standard. According to this, it should not exceed: In search of silence – how to deal with noise in the work environment? Today’s range of office equipment provides many ways to reduce noise in the workplace. There are office walls with sound-dampening properties, panels and mats, as well as modern and multifunctional Hushoffice acoustic booths . With them, everyone can find a solution that suits their needs and significantly improves the comfort of the office. Proper positioning of desks vs. noise Too small spacing between desks can lead to increased noise and unnecessary disturbance to other workers. The optimal distance between workstations should be at least 1.5 meters. If it is closer, acoustic panels can be considered. It’s also a good idea to move or separate desks from noise sources such as printers, shredders and air conditioners. Properly setting up workstations is a compromise between providing privacy and the ability to communicate. Organize places for teams to meet Team meetings are part of the daily routine in many companies. If adequate space for meetings is unavailable, they can negatively affect the noise level in the office and the comfort of others. Consider a separate room or the use of special hushAccess.L conference booths for holding meetings and business talks in a quiet and private atmosphere. Depending on the chosen configuration, they can accommodate up to 6 people. The interior is equipped with electrical outlets and USB ports for charging mobile devices, as well as a ventilation system to ensure adequate air circulation. Installation of hushAccess.L acoustic booths is very simple and fast. The right place to make phone calls Nowadays, working in an office requires communicating with clients and colleagues remotely. However, making phone calls in open spaces can be problematic due to ambient noise and interference with others. The solution is to set aside special zones for this purpose. These can be well soundproofed rooms close to workstations so that you can quickly walk to them, or hushPhone soundproof phone booths . This type of solution not only enhances convenience, but also helps maintain the privacy and confidentiality of sensitive phone calls. Arranging a quiet zone To ensure proper acoustic conditions, consider arranging a quiet zone. Such a space allows employees to isolate themselves from their surroundings and focus on work that requires a lot of concentration. The quiet zone can consist of several individual workstations or modern acoustic booths for individual work. Inside the booth are special materials that absorb sound and prevent noise from spreading outside. Green walls versus noise Greenery in the office not only brings a pleasant atmosphere and aesthetics to the interior, but also helps reduce noise. Plants absorb sound, as well as help reduce stress levels and improve air quality. GreenWalls are the perfect complement to acoustic booths and are in line with a biophilic design, which is gaining great popularity.
Colliers calls on Government to Provide Greater Support to Tech and Creative industries who will struggle as business rates rise in Revaluation 2023 The 2023 business rates revaluation will come into effect on 1st April 2023, the first of its kind for six years and according to business rates experts at Colliers could have a material impact on the provision of affordable workspace in the capital, historically located in the “fringe” locations. This is because rents and hence rateable values in fringe locations such as Hackney, Southwark and Hammersmith & Fulham have increased at a greater pace than in historic ‘core’ office locations such as the City, Islington and the West End, and those fringe locations have now become equally or in some cases more expensive locations than those in the Central London core. According to Colliers, this is pricing some office occupiers out, particularly those in the creative and tech industries. Colliers reports that the City core has seen rents increase 21% over the last ten years compared to a 50%-60% growth in the fringe areas. Subsequently the gap between core and fringe has been closing. Ten years ago, there was a 30% gap between average core and fringe rents, and by the first half of 2022, this gap was non-existent. Similarly since 2010, business rates in fringe areas have more than doubled. And in April’s 2023 revaluation we are looking at even further rises. Offices in Hammersmith & Fulham for example will see on average a 11.7% rise in their rateable value (and hence rate bills), in Southwark a 11.4% rise and in Hackney office rates are increasing 21.7%, much greater than the 2.1% rise in the City, the 8.2% rise in Westminster and even a drop of 3.4% in Islington. As Alex White, Director of Rating in Colliers London Team said, “The revaluation will therefore have a disproportionate impact on the fringe areas where occupational costs- rents and rates in particular are rising. Added to increased energy costs, one can see how some of the smaller business occupiers might struggle. These new business rates rises could very well create a barrier for affordable workspaces in these fringe locations.” And moving further out into Greater London will not solve the problem since as Colliers points out, the revaluation will also bring will be some substantial rises in business rates for suburban offices. Sutton will see a +24.5% rise, Kingston +27.2%, Brent +17.7% and Croydon +22.6%. London is not alone, Colliers points out that some UK cities office stock will also see substantial business rates rises with Oxford expected to see a 51.2% rise, Cambridge +31.6% and Manchester +26.1% – all areas associated with life science and high growth tech businesses. Alex White continued, “The London Plan gives greater significance to the importance of affordable workspaces and the need to provide for these in the planning process and many local authorities are including policy within their local plans, together with thresholds and requirements for developers. But it will all be meaningless if businesses aren’t able to afford to take on these new buildings, even with their rents reduced by the Plan. This is due to the sizeable cost associated with business rates. And it looks like this situation is going to get worse rather than better. Business rates could certainly impact the viability of such affordable schemes moving forward”. White also points out that the current business rates relief system also does little to support affordable workspace. Business rates relief is only available to ‘small businesses’ that occupy self-contained units capable of being separately valued and falling under a Rateable Value threshold of £15k. After the 2023 revaluation this will, in many central London areas, only benefit those occupying less than 205 sq. ft of self-contained space with no benefit for open-plan or shared areas. John Webber, Head of Business Rates at Colliers continued, “With the multiplier at current high levels, this really is something the Government should look at as a key part of its promise for ongoing reform. We believe there are wide benefits of supporting affordable workspace schemes in the city fringes both from an economic and social viewpoint. It is crucial that London remains at the forefront of the UK’s tech, creative and life science sectors. We have recently seen how vulnerable these industries are with the Government needing to step in to help facilitate the sale of Silicon Valley Bank UK to HSBC. As Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said, “ When you have very young companies, very promising companies, they’re also fragile.” Business rates could be another serious threat. We really must not price such businesses out of the market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
