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Victoria landmark

LINKING SUSTAINABILITY AND OCCUPANT WELLBEING

In addition to NABERS UK, the project benefits from other sustainability and wellbeing features:

  • 35 per cent of the existing structure will be maintained, with additional materials largely prepared off-site
  • Non-toxic materials such as timber and stone are prioritised, as well as low carbon concrete and less carbon-intensive structural steelwork
  • Excellent indoor air quality – passive ventilation and thermal mass are supported by “smart” mechanical ventilation, with display screens to inform occupants of real-time energy use. Mixed mode ventilation removes fine dust, and carbon dioxide and carbon filters further improve air quality
  • Pollution-filtering plants, such as ivy in the lightwell, contribute to the removal of toxic pollutants from the atmosphere
  • Over 70 per cent of workstations within 7.5m of a window or atrium
  • Green roofs on the first and eighth floors provide a rainwater buffer, purify the air, reduce the ambient temperature, and regulate the indoor temperature
  • Smart lighting throughout, with presence detection to optimise energy saving. Solar controlled glazing will help to limit the peak solar gains and glare

Describing the approach to ensuring alignment with NABERS UK criteria and more, Henry Pelly, Principal Sustainability Consultant at Max Fordham, says: “Sustainability and occupier wellbeing are closely interlinked and all of our decisions were carefully considered in order to create the most healthy, comfortable spaces possible. We integrated intelligent heating and cooling systems, resulting in a 40 per cent reduction in peak heating demand for the building. Importantly, the building will be thermally comfortable all year round. And even the building’s indoor LED lighting is attuned to circadian rhythms as well as the natural colour temperature of any particular time of day.”

Once operational, a smart app will offer convenient, digitally-enabled services to tenants – such as a bike booking and charging system (encouraging a greener commute but also health benefits), and smart locker control linked to the on-site gym. It will also allow individuals to adjust specific areas to suit their temperature preferences. Unique biophilic design will re-green the site and a garden space will allow tenants to work in lush greenery.

Two filtered waterpoints on every floor will offer occupants easy access and visual cues to drink water throughout the working day. Further, the colour temperature of the lights throughout the building mimic the natural dynamics of daylight – cooler in the middle of the day and warmer in the evening, while the acoustics have been carefully considered to meet WELL Building Standard requirements.

“The importance of health and wellbeing, and particularly how buildings contribute to this, has taken centre-stage globally over the last few years,” explains Ben Channon and Olga Turner Baker of Ekkist, who consulted on WELL Certification at 11 Belgrave Road. “As a result, we have seen a rapid rise in the demand for WELL Certification in the UK office sector. However, there are still very few WELL Platinum certified buildings that create such a robust and holistic approach to supporting occupant wellbeing. This project will be a leader in its asset class and we hope it will inspire others looking to create healthy buildings.”

ATTRACTING NEXT GENERATION OCCUPIERS

There is no doubt that occupier expectations, needs and behaviours have seen a seismic shift in recent years, driven by increased awareness of the climate crisis and trends including advancing digitalisation and the pandemic effect, which brought in new working practices.

Aslam comments: “Occupiers are rightly more rigorous in assessing the buildings they occupy. Buildings now need to meet the highest ESG standards and offer the flexibility to provide an enhanced experience, accommodating a range of multi-use spaces that cater for everything from private work to relaxation and collaboration, and access to nature. They must provide a human touch – a feeling of belonging and community – and support wellbeing, to attract employees not just to the company brand but the office as well.”

11 Belgrave Road qualifies as a workplace of the future. It spearheads a welcome step change in our built environment, where we share best practice and create buildings for the benefit of everyone, for their lifetime.

 

 

About Sarah OBeirne

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