Future proofing the office sector requires modesty

Posted June 2009

Office buildings of the future need to be flexible and modest in order to reduce costs and adhere to environmental targets.

The interior of Nobel House

Sustainability is driving the office agenda.

Developers are now challenged with reducing costs and adhering to the latest environmental requirements whilst retaining high quality design standards. 

The practice of developers completing buildings to high specification (often referred to as Category A) in order to market the space to its full potential - only to have the occupier rip out the design to their style and requirements - is no longer feasible.

To minimise waste, developers need to focus on the design of those items which could change the most.

This will ensure buildings incorporate the flexibility required to satisfy both the developer's high specification finish and the incoming occupier's proposed fit out. Measures could include:

  • Selecting a cooling medium which allows flexibility of layout and future versatility
  • Considering the likely location of special areas such as meeting suites and restaurants, and enhancing the high specification to those areas accordingly
  • Ensuring expansion space for the installation of future services is properly thought out
  • Developing schemes for reception areas which include the design of fittings and finishes which can be removed relatively easily and without disrupting the supporting sub-structure.It is equally important that the occupier's own fit out recognises and makes best use of these provisions.
An empty office

Developers can look at re-using space, either new space where better planning is required for future flexibility, or existing space which needs to be recycled, in a more productive way.

Michael Martin, Head of Commercial Services at Faithful+Gould, said: "Offices of the future need to be functional and future proofed, no matter how uncertain the market may be. The challenge is to create an office that embraces environmental requirements, incorporates a clever use of new standards and materials whilst balancing capital restraints. We have many years' experience in this sector, delivering office blocks that meet the criteria in terms of sustainability and flexibility while driving down the costs. The British Council for Offices (BCO) event was an excellent forum to discuss the future of office buildings with others in the sector".

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