CASE STUDY 11 BELGRAVE ROAD
» 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 realtime
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 bu er, 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
26 JUNE 2022
natural colour temperature of any particular
time of day.”
Once operational, a smart app will o er
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
o er 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
o ice 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
Occupiers are rightly more rigorous
in assessing the buildings they occupy.
Buildings now need to meet the highest
ESG standards and o er the fl exibility to
provide an enhanced experience,
accommodating a range of multi-use
spaces that cater for everything from
shi in recent
years, driven
by increased
awareness
of the climate
crisis and trends
including advancing
digitalisation and the
pandemic e ect, which
brought in new working practices.
private work to relaxation and
collaboration...”
Aslam comments: “Occupiers are rightly
more rigorous in assessing the buildings
they occupy. Buildings now need to meet
the highest ESG standards and o er 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 o ice 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.