080 FOCUS
collaboration, socialisation and connectedness are the most important issues in the post-pandemic workplace.’ But not everyone will be excited about returning to the office, points out Alison Kitchingman of flooring company Milliken. ‘Tere may be anxiety about returning to work, and the colours and patterns we use, as well as how we plan space, can be used to help to combat this.’
Destination workplace
Te workplace needs to offer employees a better experience than before, argues Angela Love at Active Workplace Solutions. ‘It needs to offer something different to the home working experience so that employees want to
Below Southworks, near Borough Market in London, is a state-of-the- art smart building with a warehouse-inspired aesthetic
be there.’ Tis sentiment has led to discourse around a ‘destination workplace’ that draws people to it. It’s something that Portico’s O’Keefe also cites. ‘Te workplace must evolve at rapid speed to attract, enhance and stimulate the working experience. Many workplaces are very practical, offering a workspace, amenities and snacks, natural daylight and a good Wi-Fi connection. However, many are suggesting this may no longer be enough. Te workplace needs to go far beyond functional needs and become an attractive “destination” to make people want to travel.’
He references a high street-style environment with artisan pop-ups, food stalls, charity fundraisers, luxury
SOUTHWORKS, LONDON CASE STUDY
Southworks, situated close to bustling Borough Market, is a landmark smart building that sets the benchmark for future commercial property. The seven-storey 70,000ft2 scheme, which completed in June this year, has state-of-the-art facilities, bringing together technological and natural features to create the optimum space for employees, companies and the environment. It’s believed to be the first UK building to achieve the Smart Buildings Certification Platinum certificate. Developed by MiddleCap and
designed by SPPARC, Southworks’ focus on well-being and sustainability is evident through its design, construction and operation. Its technology-first approach and number of integrated design and management features provide a responsive and productive environment that enhances users’ well-being and improves its environmental performance. The plans for the building were developed pre-Covid, but the safety measures inherent in the technology meant that no changes were required to create a safe and pleasant working environment. Natural light in bathrooms and
stairwells showcase the design’s strong focus on well-being and health, and a series of roof terraces provide additional amenity space to all occupiers with stunning views across the London skyline. Sustainable design and construction have been prioritised throughout Southworks to minimise its embodied and operational energy. The building is set to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating thanks to its passive design approach with simple (yet unusual) features such as openable windows throughout, eficient building services systems and integrated smart technologies. Southworks also promotes sustainable travel, with 105 cycle spaces, a cycle repair station and four Brompton Bikes for a bike-pool scheme. The building has achieved a CyclingScore Platinum for being on
one of the busiest veins of the London cycle superhighway network, which means many occupiers will be able to enjoy long parts of their daily cycle commutes without any interaction with cars. The building’s architecture is
inspired by a warehouse aesthetic, which is achieved through several high-quality design and specification
details. Its standout design feature is a stunning double-height entrance formed from handcrafted Italian glass bricks. Delicately constructed and technically challenging, the tolerances required to install them are so tight that standard spirit levels are not accurate enough – instead full-fat milk in a jar is used to ensure they are completely flush and flat.
Embedded with internet of
things (IoT) technology developed by Dutch proptech company bGrid, Southworks features a central sensor platform functioning as the building’s ‘brain’, with the sensors plugged into the HVAC system and lighting controls. The system also measures other environmental variables such as density, occupancy and noise levels.
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