Digital connectivity is a vital pillar of resilient and future-ready workplaces

The typical office has evolved significantly in recent years, driven by trends including the hybrid work model, greater agility and the rising importance of ESG. No more one size fits all, bland or anonymous offices. The modern occupier is more discerning than ever and businesses hoping to attract and retain the best talent are turning towards appealing, flexible, collaborative and people-centric spaces focused on ‘the experience factor’, spaces that also have a positive impact on wellbeing and the planet.

In a landscape where occupiers and their end users are increasingly rigorous in their choice of premises, there is another key pillar of the next generation office – digital connectivity. This is important for various reasons, not least as a way to anticipate and meet shifting occupier demands and requirements within a space seamlessly. Robust digital infrastructure is also vital for resilience, minimising risk – and potentially lost revenues – for companies and ensuring continuity in case of any outages. Good connectivity is no longer just an IT issue, it should form a critical component of any operational corporate strategy.

Additionally, connectivity is inherently linked with maintaining optimum energy efficiency in operation. The smarter the building, the better it can perform from a sustainability perspective. In fact, making effective use of innovative digital technologies can cut carbon emissions by approximately 21%, which represents significant progress in the race to decarbonise the built environment.

By way of example, Quadrum Global recently transformed 11 Belgrave (pictured) in London’s Victoria from an outdated 1950s structure into a workplace of the future comprising 108,000 sq ft of net zero carbon office accommodation with openable windows across the front and rear of the building, 14,000 sq ft of communal spaces and facilities, including a café and a gym, and 13,000 sq ft of green space, comprising a walled garden and multiple terraces. The team’s vision was to create a contemporary and unique working environment that meets the highest sustainability and wellbeing credentials while being well equipped for the digital age.

Eleven Belgrave became the UK’s first to achieve a 5.5-star design-reviewed NABERS UK rating for building efficiency, along with a BREEAM Outstanding rating and WELL Platinum. To make sure that it is operated as intended going forward, connectivity plays a huge role and the building has also attained a WiredScore Platinum certification and is targeting SmartScore Platinum for user functionality and advanced technology.

Furthermore, it is linked to a smart building app that enables users to customise their environments (everything from lighting to thermal comfort) according to their preferences and to simultaneously save energy though features such as intelligent mixed-mode ventilation. There is also an integrated building management system for real time energy analysis and live feedback. Enhancing the user experience and convenience, the app is used for meeting rooms, smart locker control, bicycle detection and booking, too.

In addition to the traditional independent Virgin and BT fibre connections, 11 Belgrave is an early adopter of Vorboss’s 10-100 GBPS full coverage fibre network, which can be live within 24 hours. It became one of only a few buildings in the capital (and the first in Victoria) to offer such a high level of connectivity. The majority of buildings tend to have around 1 GBPS, so there is much more to be done when it comes to making the capital’s office buildings as well connected as they can be to perform at their best.

To deliver buildings that are truly fit for purpose in today’s market as well as being adaptable and resilient, it is crucial to incorporate top tier connectivity, both in terms of provider optionality and speed. The need for connected workplaces will only grow in the coming years and this must be a principal consideration for schemes, ideally from the outset. It’s staggering to think that in today’s market connection can take up to 90 days or more, with high-speed fibre coming at a significant cost.

We cannot afford to forget about digital connectivity if we are to be both future-ready and sustainable.