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Offices: think ‘customer first’ and prioritise experiences

New report says treat workers like customers that need to be acquired and retained.

RICS releases healthy building guide

Taking on a broad but critical remit, the guide offers advice on designing, delivering and managing healthier buildings.

BCO names top UK workplaces 

Barclays’ Glasgow campus was celebrated as the Best of the Best at the British Council for Offices National Awards last night.

Buildings: new guidelines on inclusion

Guidance will ensure that inclusion is considered at every stage of the design and construction process.

BCO names London’s best-in-class offices

Employee wellbeing and sustainability emerge as defining principles of the leading workplaces, annual awards reveal.

Recycled fit-out for Europe Arab Bank

Designers WILL+Partners have delivered a project that has resulted in significant reductions in the client’s waste production and energy use.

BCO recommends more space per person

The British Council for Offices is calling for a new method of calculating the amount of space needed per person in the post-pandemic world of work.

ISS Warsaw HQ scoops platinum award

The ISS Hub has received top marks for accessibility and usability, making it the first to ever reach Platinum status.

BCO sees need for new design criteria

The British Council for Offices is proposing updated design criteria for its reference work, the BCO Guide to Specification.

BCO: invest in design for neurodiversity

The British Council for Offices is calling for more inclusive design, regulatory change and also proposing design recommendations.

Mitie unveils new workplace design solution

Into the changing world of work comes Sphere, a new technology solution to help businesses design the most effective workspaces for their people.

Eurest and 14forty collaborate on office refit

The workplace caterer and the FM services provider have invested in enhanced employee wellbeing and nutrition in their Birmingham workspace.

Skanska building hits new WELL target

A flagship London office has set a new standard in sustainable workspaces by becoming the first in the UK to achieve WELL Platinum under the new v2 pilot scheme.

Awards: BCO crowns best offices

Taunton’s UK Hydrographic Office Headquarters was named Best of the Best at the British Council for Offices’ National Awards last night.

BCO reveals London award winners

Five businesses have been recognised in London at the annual British Council for Offices regional awards.

Calls for POE on all publicly funded buildings

Post-occupancy evaluation should be standard practice to ensure all new buildings meet intended energy efficiency ratings and provide optimum value for money.

NBS and BESA partner to join-up digital construction

NBS, the leading specification platform for the construction industry, has announced a partnership with the Building Engineering Services Association to help drive digital adoption throughout the building lifecycle.

Does coronavirus spell the end of hotdesking?

Workplace design experts are predicting the pandemic could prove a major challenge to the future of hotdesking.

C&W launches post-covid recovery service

Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has formed a Recovery Readiness Task Force to assist clients with post-covid-19 returns to the workplace.

Plants@Work gets a clean-up for 2020

The not-for-profit industry association for interior landscapers has given its website a thorough makeover to make it more accessible and useful to visitors.

Helsinki site is first to be Leesman+ certified in Finland

The technology company Wärtsilä has received Leesman+ certification for the Helsinki Campus where the company's almost 500 employees working in the capital city area moved one year ago.

Future Office Awards open for entry

Into a crowded awards calendar comes a new scheme launched by London-based office specialists ThirdWay to celebrate the changing workspace. The top prize is £100K towards an office fit-out.

One in five new workplaces fails to meet needs

A new report from workplace experience research group Leesman concludes that a fifth of workplace change projects are not meeting employee needs. 

2 Television Centre takes top BCO award

The London site was celebrated as 'Best of the Best' at this week's British Council for Offices National Awards, topping a list that includes Interserve's Birmingham hub.

Workplace strategy: choice and variety work best

Private offices, open plan, hotdesking: getting the work environment 'right' is as contentious as ever. Into the fray steps Savills with its new What Workers Want survey.

Millennials and the workplace

A survey of young leaders in corporate real estate, presented at last week’s CoreNet Global Summit in Amsterdam, concludes that workplace design and flexible working are top priorities.

New BCO guide reflects new concerns

The British Council for Offices has published a revised Guide to Specification, which provides guidance on industry standards for workplaces across the country.

Office design hindering productivity

That's the conclusion from research carried out for property consultants Savills, which also found that UK workers are happier with their office environments generally, with companies doing more to help employees' physical and mental health.

New partnership takes on energy performance challenge

Too often buildings designed for efficient performance don't deliver on their promise. Now the UK and Australia are teaming up to solve the problem.

Home Office opens fire safety consultation

The call for evidence seeks views and evidence on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England in workplaces and the parts used in common in multi-occupied residential buildings.

Sustainable buildings: more understanding needed

A new report argues that though sustainable buildings are becoming more mainstream, there is also a lack of clarity around the costs and benefits of them.

Workplace: people want good design

Results from a recent YouGov survey highlight the importance of the work environment to office workers, with more than two-fifths believing design can encourage innovation and creativity.

'Play it safe' design costing UK building operators

Analysis from the international engineering group Ramboll shows that building systems are often over-designed, providing up to 50% more electrical capacity and 30% more heating and cooling capacity than is ever needed.

Security systems being left out of BIM

The security industry is being too slow to adopt and adapt to building information modelling. But architects and contractors are also being too slow to engage with security businesses.

CMA busts fit-out cartel

Five office fit-out firms will pay fines totalling £7m after admitting to being involved in a cover bidding cartel.

Charities: £10,000 of workplace design services for free

Workplace design consultants Burtt-Jones & Brewer are celebrating their 10th anniversary by offering one lucky charity thousands of pounds worth of their design time.

RIBA, CIOB and RICS launch quality tracker tool

The Royal Institute of British Architects, Chartered Institute of Building and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors have launched a new free-to-download tool to improve the quality of outcomes for construction projects.

Cushman & Wakefield buys into design & build

Recent years have seen the big property services groups moving rapidly in the direction of becoming 'full service' providers and managers of work environments.

BCO names the UK's best workplaces

London's Bloomberg offices came out on top at the British Council for Offices' National Awards, taking home both the Best of the Best and the Corporate Workplace awards.

Refurbished industrial buildings are the future of workplace

That's the conclusion of a new study carried out by the property services group JLL and architects Hawkins\Brown.

Canary Wharf LED investment pays off

Five years ago, the management team at One Canada Square took the decision to switch the entrance lobby lighting from traditional sodium lamps to LED, a bold move as at the time LED in a commercial setting was still a new idea.

ISS signals workplace move

SIGNAL, the ISS group's strategic workplace management and design firm, is opening a new office in London to further strengthen partnerships with key account customers.

BCO publishes guidance on health and wellbeing

A new report from the British Council for Offices promises definitive guidance on supporting key people needs across an office building's lifecycle.

Anabas takes on hot-desking in second white paper

The corporate office FM specialist has published the second in a series of white papers exploring the evolution of agile working.

BCO highlights London's best workplaces

Bloomberg, White Collar Factory, Havas UK, Here East and 10 Lower James Street have all been recognised as some of the best workplaces in the capital at the British Council for Offices regional awards.

More to green buildings than energy savings

A Harvard University research team has concluded that green buildings can deliver billions of dollars in public health benefits, including fewer hospitalisations and reduced climate impacts.

Ushering in a new era of workplace design

Neil Usher, the man behind Sky's multi-award winning work environments, has captured his views, experiences and advice in a soon to be published book. He's also speaking at next week's Workplace Futures conference.

Study on impact of offices on productivity and health launched

Two American universities are backing a global study that will examine how the indoor environments of 100 office buildings impact employee productivity and health.

Most FMs believe BIM is good for facilities management

More than 80% of FM professionals believe that building information modelling has the potential to deliver significant benefits.

More proof: how people experience the workplace is critical

Human factors-oriented workplace research suddenly seems to be very much in vogue: many would say about time, too. The latest comes from design and engineering consultancy Atkins.

BIM: take-up grows but challenges remain

The annual NBS National BIM Survey, now in its seventh year, provides a snapshot of the understanding and use of building information modelling across the built environment sector. The latest results are the first since last year's BIM mandate.

Home sweet office: design predictions for 2017

This year will see the wellbeing of employees remaining central in office design with a noticeable shift towards home-inspired interiors, according to design, fit-out and refurbishment specialist Morgan Lovell.

Annual BIM survey launches

The 2017 National BIM Survey is open and inviting responses, nearly one year on from the government's mandate for collaborative 3DBIM on all centrally-funded projects.

Gensler highlights have vs have-not problem

The international design firm has added to the fast-growing view that UK organisations need to rethink their attitudes toward the workplace, as it is those attitudes which are likely to be a key factor in low morale and poor productivity.

Choice, space and getting the basics right

That's what office-based workers want, according to a new report from the British Council for Offices and surveyors Savills.

BIFM takes on design and construction process

The British Institute of Facilities Management has launched its latest advice publication, its new 'Operational Readiness Guide: a guide to ensuring long-term effectiveness in the design and construction process'.

Sheffield Hallam scoops top workplace award

Sheffield Hallam University is the first academic institution to win the Leesman+ award, marking exemplary high performing workplaces.

BCO award winners revealed

Keynsham Civic Centre & One Stop Shop in Keynsham, near Bath, was named as the 'Best of the Best' workplace in the country at the British Council for Offices annual National Awards in London earlier this week.

IFMA rounds up the science of the workplace

A new publication pulls together a broad range of research-based studies to offer guidance and insights on the design of work and the workplace with the aim of helping organisations to develop strategies that will produce the results they are looking for.

What's the point of design?

Anything to do with 'workplace design' often gets a bad rap in the hard-headed commercial world. If you're not Google or some bleeding-edge media company, do you really need to spend money on designers?

Sitting comfortably?

If you are at all interested in the workplace and what furniture and fittings can do for comfort and efficiency, Orgatec is the place to be. It shines a light on new products, inevitably reflecting the trends shaping organisations and how they work.

BIFM publishes accessibility standard

London Mayor Boris Johnson has welcomed a new standard for improving and maintaining accessibility and inclusion for disabled people in the built environment.

CIBSE offers advice on designing for hot weather

CIBSE has assembled a series of resources designed to inform building design and adaptation strategies to better cope with the threat of climate change.

Eurest to take on the future of the workplace

Workplace foodservice experts Eurest will host a 'Workplaces of the Future' webcast on 14 May, bringing industry experts together to discuss what future workplaces will be like for both people and organisations.

UK first: embodied carbon database for buildings

The UK's first publicly available database for embodied carbon in buildings has been launched by resource efficiency experts WRAP in collaboration with the UK Green Building Council.

Searching for an answer in the office

Lingering in the background behind all facilities management roles is the workplace, and the Holy Grail there is the design that produces the optimum blend of comfort, efficiency and productivity.

Making things work

Ergonomics is the science of designing things to meet human needs. Ignore it at your peril in the design and management of the workplace.

Can BIM solve the mystery of building failure?

Bruce Bisset, President of the Building & Engineering Services Association, believes the answer is yes; but he doesn't believe for a minute it will be easy.

BIFM backs accessibility initiative

The British Institute of Facilities Management is one of six professional organisations that have signed up to a new government-backed education project to promote accessibility in the built environment.

Better design produces better A&E

Important lessons about the design and management of work environments, at least within a healthcare setting, have emerged from a recent Design Council-backed project.

RICS develops BIM certification

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is offering a new building information modelling manager certification.

BSRIA offers Soft Landings guide

BSRIA has published new guidance for clients, consultants and contractors designed to help public and private sector organisations procure Soft Landings services from their construction supply chains.

Revolution in the workplace

A shift is taking place in the way organisations view their employees' relationship with the workplace, as greater consideration is given to the design of space and the psychological impact it has.

Shedding light on a workplace challenge

Ensuring there is adequate and appropriate light in the workplace, of whatever type, is a challenge on which FMs, engineers and even some designers often fall short.

CIC unveils BIM hubs

The Construction Industry Council has launched a series of regional building information modelling hubs around the UK in partnership with the government's BIM Task Group.

BIM gets a boost

The American National Institute of Building Sciences is partnering with a UK-based building technology group on the development of new standards for building information modelling, as new research shows the demand for systems is set to grow strongly.

Interserve launches new school formula

The construction to services group has unveiled an innovative solution that reduces the cost and time of school construction by 25%.

More end user input needed in security design

Building owners, designers and developers need to focus more on the role of occupiers and their requirements when specifying counter-terrorism measures in commercial real estate.

Harrow Green delivers solutions

The removals to interiors group has completed the move of Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation to new accommodation in Thurrock Council's Civic Offices.

Architects contemplate a very different future

The demise of the mid-sized practice, a dearth of work in the UK and even the abandonment of the term 'architect' could all radically re-shape the design profession over the next 15 years.

BSI adds to FM standards

The latest British Standard aims to ensure that design takes account of expected performance when new facilities are in use.

Prince Charles threatened to quit over NT HQ plan

Development of the multi award-winning Heelis building nearly led Prince Charles to resign as patron of the National Trust, according to the Guardian.

Atkins designs and occupies model green building

Consultancy group Atkins has designed, engineered and now occupied what it describes as one of the most environmentally friendly office buildings in the country.

BSRIA publishes 'soft landings' framework

A year after the initiative was first introduced, BSRIA has launched the Soft Landings Framework, designed to make the building completion and handover process a much smoother one for the occupant.

'Bereaved' architects find a friend

Architects who face the trauma of seeing one of their buildings knocked down now have a support group they can turn to for help.

Sustainable building code planned

The UK Green Building Council has pulled together leading figures from across the built environment community to work together over the next six months to scope out a Code for Sustainable Buildings.

Claremont goes bold for Beachcroft

Claremont Group Interiors has completed a new Bristol headquarters for commercial law firm Beachcroft.

CABE calls for school design 'threshold'

Having recently achieved extensive, and probably unwanted, publicity for its largely negative views on the quality of new school design, the public sector adviser is calling for a whole new approach.

Bold meets middle of the road at C4

Channel 4's Horseferry Road headquarters in London caused a considerable stir when it was built, not least because it was so far out of keeping with the local area.

New standard for life-cycle costing

Focusing on the whole cost of a building's life at the outset of a project saves money and produces more sustainable buildings for the future.

CABE on BSF projects: must do better

CABE, the government-backed Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, has stepped up the pressure on Building Schools for the Future contractors to meet high standards in design and operation of new facilities.

Overbury in carbon neutral fit-out

Office fit-out and refurbishment specialist Overbury has delivered a completely carbon neutral fit-out for ‘green' design and architectural practice Sheppard Robson at the firm's City Tower offices in Manchester.

Third of LAs ignore better buildings campaign

The message of the government's flagship design initiative appears to have bypassed the third of local authorities that have so far failed to appoint a champion for the cause.

Planning ahead for DDA compliance

The Disability Discrimination Act has been with us for some time now - long enough for most facilities managers to come to terms with what it means in practice. But have they?

Another award for National Trust HQ

The National Trust's new headquarters in Swindon has won yet more recognition - this time the British Construction Industry best building award.

Revised CDM regs move closer

The Health and Safety Commission has approved the proposed revised Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and a new Approved Code of Practice.

Roche HQ is BCO 'best of the best'

The new Welwyn Garden City headquarters of pharmaceutical company Roche was named Best of the Best at last night's British Council for Offices awards ceremony. The building also took the National Corporate Workplace Award.

Good offices are safe offices

It's National Good Office Week, as declared by the British Council for Offices, whose annual awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday October 3rd.

RIBA proposes more change to Building Regs

Just when you were finally coming to terms with this year's changes to the Building Regulations, along comes the RIBA with proposals for more improvements.

Ark to be re-floated

Much of the southern half of the country may be sweating it out through drought conditions but that is not stopping plans for a radical makeover at one of London's most distinctive office buildings.

Landsec delivers BBC building on time, on budget

Land Securities has completed BBC Scotland's new five-storey digital broadcast centre at Pacific Quay in Glasgow. The building was handed over on time and on budget, and ready for the technical fit-out to begin.

Answers to difficult questions in whole life costing

Whole life costing is a fine concept, but how do we know how long building components are going to last?

London city hall 'falling apart'

The London Assembly Conservative group is complaining that the recent spate of hot weather has proved too much for City Hall.

CABE attacks cost of bad design

A new campaign to highlight the impact of bad design on people and places has been launched by CABE, the government's advisor on architecture and urban design.

CIC supports call for upfront design in PFI

The Construction Industry Council has expressed its full support for the RIBA's 'Smart PFI' initiative.

Campaign to raise standards of healthcare design launched

The government-backed Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment is launching a new campaign to highlight the impact of good design on local healthcare facilities.

DQI for schools launched

A new Design Quality Indicator, developed in partnership by the Department for Education and Skills and the Construction Industry Council, has been given its official launch by Jacqui Smith, the Minister of State for Schools.

Scottish Parliament takes RIBA Stirling Prize

The Scottish Parliament, certainly a building that excites strong feelings both ways, has won the 10th RIBA Stirling Prize, joining a list of past winners that includes 30 St. Mary Axe, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the NatWest Media Centre at Lord's.

RIBA to focus on public sector procurement

Jack Pringle, who took over as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects on September 1st, plans to square up to one of the biggest markets for built environment service providers during his two-year term of office.

New British Standard for inclusive design

The British Standards Institution has released BS 7000-6:2005 - a guide to managing inclusive design.

Building energy assessment tool in the works

A software tool commissioned by ODPM and developed by BRE will soon be available to help with assessing building energy performance.

WTC investigators call for new tall building regs

The US agency charged with investigating the fire and collapse of New York's World Trade Center following the attacks of September 11 2001 has developed 30 recommendations to improve the safety of buildings, their occupants and emergency services.

Prince hits out at bad buildings

Delivering the keynote address at the Royal College of Physicians conference yesterday, Prince Charles renewed his criticism of the design trends that, in his view, have opened the door to poor buildings and bad urban environments.

Cheshire Building Society eyes the future

Design and fit-out company Claremont has created the blueprint for a 'branch for the future' at Cheshire Building Society's central Manchester offices.

Converted coop scoops kudos

A converted chicken farm redeveloped as a groundbreaking zero-emission office building has been named 'innovation of the year' in the 2004 Regeneration Awards.

PWC takes BCO 'best' award

The Birmingham headquarters of PricewaterhouseCoopers has won the top award from the British Council for Offices. The PWC offices were named 'best of the best' out of nearly 100 candidates.

Bookies favour gherkin for design prize

30 St. Mary Axe, otherwise known as the 'gherkin', is leading the field for this year's RIBA Stirling Prize.

CABE slams design schemes for biggest PFI hospital

The proposed design for the new 905-bed hospital on the site of the Royal London Hospital, the largest public building project in the UK, has been criticised by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, the government's design watchdog.

Government backs sustainable building code

A new code, proposed by the Sustainable Buildings Task Group and backed by the government, will establish higher standards for energy and water efficiency, as well as waste and use of materials in buildings.

London building pursues international recognition

Tower 42, in the City of London, has joined the list of international contenders for the Building Owners and Managers Association office building of the year awards - a first for a European building.

London gets a new business school

Tanaka Business School at Imperial College has been officially opened by The Queen. The landmark building was funded by a £25m donation by Dr Gary Tanaka, an Imperial alumnus.

Proud of your loos?

The search is on for Britain's best 'away from home' toilets, following the launch of the 2004 Loo of the Year Awards.

BDGworkfutures wins interiors gold award

BDGworkfutures has won a Gold Standard Award from the Association of Interior Specialists, for the design of Kimberly-Clark's European Shared Service Centre.

Innovative workplaces: IBM shows true colours

Chameleon walls and futuristic projection screens characterise a hi-tech fit out, completed by Overbury for IBM at its Bedfont Lakes offices near Heathrow.

Plants counter sick building syndrome, research finds

Putting plants in the workplace may promote staff well being, according to a recent report. They could also alleviate health claims relating to 'sick building syndrome'.

Aukett appoints new UK MD

Aukett Group have announced the appointment of Paul Newman as UK Managing Director with immediate effect - the first big change since its recent boardroom coup.

Workplace guide seeks good practice examples

A proposed new guide to good practice in the workplace is seeking case studies focusing on planning, design and use.

CABE to hold first public design review

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment is to review several development schemes in public at the MIPIM international property show in Cannes next week.

Tallest skyscraper gets the nod

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has approved plans to build a 1000-foot tower at London Bridge station.

Green benefits outweigh extra costs in US

It costs more to construct green buildings, but the financial benefits of green design are more than 10 times the average cost premium, according to a report commissioned by a California government task force.

Laban scoops £20,000 Stirling Prize

The £14.4m Laban dance centre, in south-east London, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, has won this year's RIBA Stirling Prize.

Pentland offices take top BCO award

Pentland International, the owner of sports clothing brands including Speedo, Ellesse and Lacoste, has won the Best of the Best honours for its north London headquarters building in this year's British Council for Offices Awards.

CABE reveals key to successful buildings

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has launched a new guide that highlights for clients the ten key factors that are crucial to the success of any building project.

Barbican tops ugly buildings poll

The Grade II listed arts centre in central London has come first in a 'buildings we love to hate' survey, undertaken to mark the launch of the London Design Festival.

The Design Group becomes DOMINO

Sheffield based The Design Group is re-launching as DOMINO Commercial Interiors as part of its expansion plans.

ttsp targets healthcare sector

Like other design and architecture practices, ttsp has joined forces with a healthcare specialist Freeman Ankerman and Hickling to focus on the lucrative healthcare market.

CWHB HQ is chosen for office showcase collection

The new Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker HQ is among the final selection of a showcase of the UK's most ‘visually exciting and inspirational places to work in the digital age'.

New president for RIBA

A Bristol architect has become the 70th president of the Royal Institute of British Architects

Aukett forms healthcare alliance with US company

Aukett has signed a strategic marketing agreement with US based healthcare specialist, The Ritchie Organisation (TRO).

Claremont creates 'branch of the future' for Bradford & Bingley

Office interiors firm Claremont Business Environments is working with financial services firm Bradford & Bingley on a new look for branches to reflect the company's current Marketplace IFA branding and advertising campaign.

Wates completes design and build for Office of Deputy Prime Minister

The project was a single stage £476k interiors fit-out contract to the 6th and 7th floors of the 20,000sq.ft Eland House in Victoria, SW1. The building is part of a portfolio whose services are currently being tendered via OJEC.

ECB shortlists architects for new HQ

The European Central Bank has chosen 80 designers, from more than 300 applications, to go forward to the next stage of an international architectural competition for the ECB's new premises.

Transformation of a London landmark almost complete

The first phase of one of London's most significant urban regeneration projects in recent years, Cadogan Estate's £120m redevelopment of the former Duke of York's headquarters in King's Road, is due for completion this spring.

Tomorrow's town halls - competition winners announced

Three teams of architects have been chosen as winners in a competition which aims to reinvent the town hall as participatory community spaces and span the gap between people and place.

RIBA and CABE to launch hospital design symposium

The RIBA and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment are hosting a one-day symposium on hospital design next month.

Swindon call centre wins another design award

The call centre of Swindon-based mobile phone company Cellular Operations, has won a major world architecture award, despite competition from multi-national companies, such as Boeing and ING.

ECB launches architectural competition for new HQ

The European Central Bank (ECB) is holding an international urban planning and architectural design competition for its new offices to be built on a brownfield site in Frankfurt.

NHS Trusts put new emphasis on design

Following recent criticism of the quality of new buildings, especially those funded through PFI projects, Secretary of State Alan Milburn has requested every NHS Trust to nominate a design champion.

Area Sq launches City contracting specialist

Area Sq, the Egham-based design and fit-out company, has launched a new contracting company, City Sq, aimed at the London office market.

Tilney Shane re-designs Edelman HQ

Architects and interior designers tilney shane have redeveloped the West End headquarters of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide.

Squire and Partners unveil new offices and identity

Architects and designers Michael Squire and Partners have launched their new London offices, incorporating a public gallery and restaurant as well as a new identity for the practice.

BT moves into Sevenoaks 'Workstyle' building

Another piece of BT's accommodation strategy is in place as staff begin occupying new 'Workstyle' offices in Sevenoaks, Kent.

Overbury to fit out BP's HQ

Overbury, part of the Morgan Sindall group, has won a £13.5m contract to fit out the new headquarters of BP International in London.

Morgan Lovell in £3m contract wins

Workplace specialist Morgan Lovell has been awarded contracts worth a total of £3m since the beginning of the year.

Designs for Liverpool space attraction

Museum and visitor attraction designers Sarner and specialist contractors ESP have joined forces for Liverpool's new International Astronomy and Space Centre.

BDG McColl creates disability concept

BDG McColl Workplace has designed a set of transportable pod spaces to increase awareness of disability issues, and has entered the DBA design challenge for the first time with the new concept.

Eriksson opens Ericsson centre

England football coach Sven-G__ran Eriksson has opened a new UK research and development facility for Ericsson at Chineham Business Park in Basingstoke, designed and fitted out by Morgan Lovell.

Magna wins Stirling Prize

The Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham has been awarded UK architecture's top prize of the year.

President invests in 3D programme

Office furniture supplier President has invested £80,000 in the 3D solid-modelling program Solid Works. The company previously relied on traditional 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) programmes for its draughting and development work.

WorkPlace '01 awards winners

The three winners of last week's WorkPlace '01 awards were Volume Product Design, Keen and Sevil Peach Gence Associates (sponsored by Vitra).

The future of call centres

Call centres are known for their monotony and high staff turnover which is why numerous interior designers have been called in to improve their working environments. But what does the future hold?

Parr Partnership wins £4.25m Scottish university job

The Parr Partnership has been chosen to design a £4.25m student centre for the University of Abertay Dundee.

Overbury wins £33m contracts

Overbury, part of construction group Morgan Sindall, has been awarded contracts worth £33m since July this year.

Sainsbury's gets permission for HQ

Sainsbury's has been granted permission by Southwark Council to redevelop its former headquarters building, close to Blackfriars Bridge on the South Bank.

Overbury completes HIVE

Overbury has completed a 10-week fit out of the Highly Interactive Vizualisation Environment (HIVE) technology theatre at BP's research and technology centre in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.

Overbury completes e-Envoy offices

Fit out specialist Overbury - part of Morgan Sindall - has completed the refurbishment of the new offices for e-Envoy, the government body that works towards getting the UK online.

JLL creates new look for KPC offices

Jones Lang LaSalle has recently completed a fast track fit-out of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's new London headquarters in Mayfair.

Arsenal architects commit to sustainable design

The team of architects involved in the redevelopment of Arsenal Football Club has committed itself to a range of green measures throughout the design and construction of the project.

Architects face ‘make or break' year ahead

It is going to be make or break for 16% of UK Architectural practices over the next 12 months, according to Plimsoll Publishing's latest publication Profit Predictor Edition 2001: Architects".

London will survive without tall buildings, says English Heritage

Tall buildings are not pivotal to London's status as a financial and economic hub and are not a panacea to future housing needs, English Heritage has told the Greater London Authority.

Shell selects Project for refurbished HQ

Project Office Furniture plc has been appointed to supply furniture to Shell International's corporate headquarters at Waterloo, the workplace for nearly 3,000 employees.

RIBA award winners announced

Almost 50 innovative buildings across the UK and four in the EU have received RIBA Awards for Architecture.

Simulate your building's needs

Technical simulation is the future for predicting successful building structures, said German Harald Fuchs with Chicago Consultants, at WWE 2001 on Tuesday.

BDG McColl to close architecture arm

Redundancies are expected after BDG McColl, one of the last multi-disciplinary agencies left within design and architecture, announced that it is closing its specialist architecture wing.

New Ogilvy offices designed to attract staff

The designers of new offices for two companies within the Ogilvy PR and advertising group were asked to produce an environment which would help to recruit and retain staff, as well as clients.

New working practice increased profits

A workshop set up by the Office Productivity Network (OPN), which resulted in a new workplace design for legal practice Silverbeck Rymer, in Liverpool, increased fee-earner output by 15% in ten weeks.

Location key to skyscraper plans - Sir Neil Cossons

Tower blocks may in some situations be the best thing going" for redevelopment in towns and cities nationwide but top quality design and location are key factors

BDG McColl designs Andersen office

BDG McColl has completed the interior design of Andersen's new space at Brindleyplace, Birmingham.

Stratus to design Met Office HQ

Despite CABE's report which favoured the M-Logic design, the Met Office has announced that rival consortium Stratus is the preferred bidder to build and operate its planned new home in Exeter.

PriestmanDye to design concept office for Workplace01

London-based architectural practice, PriestmanDye has been invited to design a Concept Office for the Workplace '01 show to be held at ExCel this October.

Setback for Aukett in UK

Despite poor results from its UK business, design firm Aukett is sticking to its plans for European expansion.

22m RCA extension

The Royal College of Art has revealed its plans to extend the College at a cost of £22m. The new building - called the ellipse because of its form - has been designed by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners.

New European customer service centre for Dow Corning

Dow Corning has opened a new Eur17.7m (£10.7m) Business & Technology Centre in Seneffe, Belgium.

BDP unveils modular building for BT

BDP has completed its first office module for BT, which is designed as a plug-in" building with a fast construction period."

HNB launches new furniture range

Furniture manufacturer HNB has launched Firma, a new range of contemporary furniture designed by Pearson Lloyd, including storage and desking solutions.

3D Architects submits planning application for £50m Edinburgh scheme

Scottish practice 3D Architects has lodged a planning application for a £50 million stone and glass-fronted retail and office development to be built in Edinburgh's city centre.

Aukett wins contracts in Europe and UK

Aukett Group has been awarded a number of contracts, worth over £5m in total, in Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Glasgow as well as projects in the UK for business space developers, Akeler.

Missing piece added to Canary Wharf

Michael Squire and Partners is to design one of the final elements of the Koetter Kim master plan for Canary Wharf with approval today of its design for a 10-storey, £40 million tower block on West India Avenue.


Features - Search found 30 features

A future for hybrid working

In July Wates Group launched its post-pandemic office concept at its head office in Leatherhead. John Cartwright shares insights and predictions for the future for commercial fit-out.

Workspace design post-Covid

It's been a challenging year for facilities management on many fronts, and one more lies in the future of the office. We still need them, but what does FM need to do to ensure they are fit for a new future?

Covid-ready communal areas

Facilities managers across all sectors are incredibly busy right now, as throughout the UK businesses are urged back to work by the government.

Retrofitting workspace to meet new demands

The Covid-19 pandemic is causing us to rethink what is important for the workplace and how offices are designed, built and managed.

Digital twins: two is better than one

With access to limitless data in every aspect of our lives, it’s about time that we really utilise that data to improve the world around us. Rob Charlton argues the case for digital twins.

Combatting the January blues with nature

Every January many head back to work after the excitement of Christmas, braving cold and wet weather and committed to ambitious diets and New Year’s resolutions. It’s no wonder many consider this their least favourite month.

Data-driven design to stand the test of time

Getting your workspace right can be a game-changer for any business. But how do you know what style will stand the test of time? What will the workplace of the future look like?

Productive, high-performing and healthy workplaces

Given what we already know, why isn't everyone making changes to create these, asks John O’Brien.

Smart solutions deliver benefits

Eindhoven University of Technology's Atlas Building is reckoned to be the most sustainable educational facility in the world following a 'smart' refurbishment.

Workplace planning: new tech opens new doors

As workplace needs and expectations change, 3D mobile mapping is becoming a key tool in building management, from construction to streamlining the process of maintenance and upgrades.

When the lift doesn't go to the top

The subject of emotional intelligence seems to be everywhere, in bookshops, magazines and Twitter feeds. But how relevant is all this to workplace design and management?

Solving the productivity puzzle

Leadership is what impacts productivity the most, but not enough attention is paid to it and anyway, asks Sion Davies, do we have the right calibre of leaders in the FM and workplace sectors?

How nudging can drive higher workplace efficiency

Managers and companies looking to grow profitably can hardly disagree that employee productivity has become the major managerial battlefield. ISS offers some advice on the concept of 'nudging'.

Achieving a high-performing workplace

Leesman, the global business intelligence tool that benchmarks how workplaces support employee and organisational performance, has launched a new research report which outlines where the best workplaces are outperforming the rest.

Biophilic design: sorting the facts from the myths

Ahead of The Facilities Event this April, i-FM talks to sustainable architectural and interior design guru Oliver Heath about biophilic design, separating the fact from the fiction about this deep connection between humans and nature.

BIM: why contractors and FM providers need to work together

Building information modelling is not new. Nor is the tension between building contracting and facilities management. Mike Knapp argues the case for closer collaboration.

What's the deal with productivity?

Can workplace design improve productivity, and is that measurable? Simon Iatrou talks to some of the key players behind The Stoddart Review about the report, its aims and the workplace puzzle.

Are FM people constrained by data?

Michael McCullen implores facilities managers to ask the right question when it comes to specifying a BIM system.

Agile spaces: Bouygues makes a smart move

In February, Bouygues Energies & Services relocated its London offices to Lambeth Palace Road: an opportunity to design a new and innovative agile working environment that promotes collaboration and performance.

Understanding How We Got Here

Life, wrote the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards. That sums up our understanding of some of the key trends in office environments over the past 20 years, writes Colin Watson.

Creating Flexible Space

Tony Cahill provides advice on transforming an older building into a flexible workspace, ensuring the interior works are in line with the latest in office practice.

The Office Furniture of Tomorrow

Steve Fitch reports from last month's Orgatec, one of the world's largest office furniture trade fairs, giving us a glimpse of the trends that are set to infiltrate our workspaces in the near future.

Ergonomics and FM

Nigel Heaton explores a few key issues too many of us take for granted in the everyday world of work and looks at how a little more thought can produce a better result.

BIM: Solving the Mystery of Building Failure

The poor performance of many buildings is a constant source of embarrassment to engineers and mystery to FMs. Building information modelling offers a glimpse a more efficient future. Bruce Bisset makes the case.

Let There Be Light

Legislation is removing inefficient lamps and control gear from the marketplace, but greater steps are needed to drive home real energy improvements in lighting installations.

Taking a Lead on Energy

A more responsible and strategic approach towards energy efficiency in the workplace is increasingly becoming essential for forward-thinking organisations.

Creating spaces to breathe

Taking a few deep breaths of fresh air is the most natural thing anyone can do to de-stress and energise the body and mind.

Channel 4 News

Elliott Chase discovers a London landmark where trendy young creative types work in a remarkably conventional environment.

Anticipatory Duty

Bert Massie , Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, argues that disability rights should not need to be fought for.

Reaching Out

Marc Bird explains how one school has enabled access for the wider community through its Language and Learning Zone.


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Pre-construction: the devil is in the detail

Having a detailed pre-construction phase undertaken before starting the design and build or upgrade of a data centre facility has a number of major benefits, says Jon Healy.

Open plan offices: due for disruption

Received wisdom says that open plan offices are good for both employer and employee because they promote face-to-face collaborative working and, as a result, help harness creativity and improve teamwork.

Too much focus on Gen Y?

Lately, there has been loads of copy dedicated to a very specific cohort of the workforce, namely millennials: their personalities, their requirements, what they’ll bring to the workforce and what employers shouldn’t expect from them.

The Elemental Workplace

The relationship between facilities management and the emerging discipline of Workplace has always been slightly awkward.

Don't over design it

Adam Burtt-Jones argues that design has to ask difficult questions of other professional disciplines to make sure a space is effective.

The importance of being diligent

Laziness is at the heart of many failures in workplace design, says Adam Burtt-Jones. The solution is to ask the tough questions of the right people.

Death of the Office?

Research suggests that almost total redundancy of the physical office is on the cards in as little as twenty years' time.

Frustrated of Bedford

I’ve just got back from the British Council for Offices conference in Birmingham, a frustrated Martin Pickard writes.