The flight to quality in the office market is gaining urgency. Recent figures revealed the race to create sustainable office spaces ahead of upcoming MEES regulations set to come into force by 2027. These looming requirements are driving demand for offices which meet modern sustainability standards.
However, less documented to date in this flight to quality is how workspaces can deliver social impacts, not just environmental, and contribute to the wellbeing of workers. Rather than rushing to construct new office spaces which meet these standards, could existing buildings in fact hold the key to demand?
The role of heritage buildings
Given 80% of buildings that will be occupied in 2050 already exist, reinvesting and retrofitting heritage and listed buildings in line with modern standards is critical. By blending unique architecture and character with modern requirements, workspaces within existing, heritage buildings can arguably offer more inspiring working environments than traditional sterile high-rises and, in turn, create a wide range of productivity and wellbeing benefits. Take the fundamental materials used within a building, for instance. Natural materials such as stones, woods and soft fabrics, can all contribute to a home-from home-feel and have positive impacts on office occupants.
One of the buildings in our portfolio, Michelin House, is a good example of how heritage buildings can offer inspiring surroundings for businesses and their employees. Formerly owned by Michelin Tyre company, the building is an iconic Grade II-listed landmark building in the heart of Chelsea, London. The building’s unique architecture includes stained glass windows featuring the Michelin Man as well as a rooftop terrace. High-end workplace amenities and hotel-standard customer service also ensures employee wellbeing is at the front and centre. Workers want to be able to enjoy the same luxuries and comforts that they would at home, in a productive, welcome place to spend a few days of the working week which makes the commute worth it.
The importance of generating community
Beyond the building itself, the environment in which offices are located play a large part in the experience of occupants but can be overlooked. Ensuring offices are well linked to public transport, restaurants and bars facilitates a community culture and allows employees to contribute and interact more thoughtfully with their surroundings. Wellbeing in the workplace goes well beyond building amenities. Well-located offices can support a happier, more productive workforce.
A holistic design approach
A post-pandemic outlook has deepened understandings of how design can influence wellbeing within the workplace. For instance, frameworks such as the WELL Building Standard offer a holistic guide to ensuring buildings positively contribute to the health and wellbeing of users. Whilst wellbeing and employee health are of course subjective, office providers can offer tailored services in line with the changing ways in which people work, using such frameworks as a guide. WELL’s standard encompasses: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community.
With this holistic approach in mind, at Argyll our recent CAPEX refurbishment of 7 owned assets considered each of these factors when bringing workspaces in line with our customers’ needs. For instance, installing Scanomat still and sparkling water units in lounges and kitchens not only offered our customers top-notch facilities to stay hydrated, but also provided sustainability benefits, with units made from recyclable materials and no more need for single-use plastics.
When it came to considering the best approach to light, it was important to us that every office had natural daylight given the myriad benefits for visual comfort, productivity, alertness, energy savings and mental wellbeing. Working with M&E consultants also ensured the correct LUX levels were installed in different working areas to provide bespoke working environments.
All of these design factors had to be carefully balanced against preserving the heritage of our buildings, many of which are listed. However, with creativity, existing buildings can be effectively adapted to meet modern workplace needs, without diminishing the value of heritage. Workspaces of the future cannot leave the past entirely behind.
About the Author
Emily Smith
As COO, Emily has 20 years of experience working in the flexible office sector. In her role at Argyll, Emily has been spearheading cultural change and won the ‘Team Leader of the Year’ category at Property Week’s Inspiring Women in Property Awards 2023 and is shortlisted for two further categories at this year’s awards.
Argyll
Argyll is a premium London office provider with locations across prime central London offering private offices, coworking, meeting rooms, virtual offices and event spaces. Argyll has a diverse portfolio of Grade I and II listed buildings, priding itself on exceptional service and state of the art workspaces.
Content Team
Work in Mind is a content platform designed to give a voice to thinkers, businesses, journalists and regulatory bodies in the field of healthy buildings.
