Sustainable Workspaces: How Office Spaces in London Are Adopting Eco-Friendly Practices

Artwork of interlocking leaves placed on a rustic white wall. Below is a white chair and desk with a silver closed laptop and small potted plant resting on it. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

During the past few years, environmental concerns have taken front stage in the UK’s construction market. This is a reflection of a generalised trend towards sustainability, which affects both residential and commercial existing space, including offices, as well as planned new builds. This trend mirrors the requirements and expectations of eco-conscious tenants and office occupiers, who are increasingly committed to sustainable workspace initiatives.

In this blog post, we explore the different ways in which office spaces in London are adopting eco-friendly and sustainable ventures, putting green innovation at the heart of the workplace.

6 Ways London Offices are Embracing Sustainable Practices

 1. Renewable energy

The adoption of green energy sources in business settings is not a new practice, but it has been gaining popularity over the years. It’s estimated that 60% of developers now approve of this measure

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Mastering the Art of the Office Seating Plan

A view across a modern, well-lit, and high-ceilinged workspace. There is exposed, shiny ducting criss-crossing the ceiling as well as bright, straight light fixtures hanging down. People work at desks on the left, there's breakout space on the right next to tall windows, and there's a private office and meeting room behind glass on the far wall. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

In the dynamic world of modern business, the design and layout of office spaces play pivotal roles in defining a company’s success. One often overlooked aspect of this is the office seating plan. While it might seem like a simple task, deciding where your employees sit can directly influence your business outcomes.

Why is that? Well, at its core, an effective seating plan does more than just arrange desks and chairs. It sets the stage for enhanced collaboration, fosters a conducive environment for focused work, and can even act as a catalyst for spontaneous innovation.

Office spaces, particularly in bustling business hubs like London, aren’t merely physical areas filled with furniture. They are strategic assets. How you utilise these assets—like creating a well-thought-out seating arrangement—directly correlates with employee productivity. For instance, the concept of hot-desking, which is rapidly gaining traction in the UK, underscores the need for flexibility and efficiency in office seating. With employees no longer tied to one specific desk, the need for a coherent and adaptive seating strategy becomes even more essential.

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Comparing Office Space Cost: Central London vs Outer London

A hand holding a pen points to printed cost comparison graphs resting on a tablet on a desk with other printed graphs, a calculator, and a laptop also littering the desk. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Choosing the right office location is a critical decision that can significantly impact a business’s bottom line. In a city the size of London, cost disparities between Central London and Outer London areas can be substantial, and the options should be carefully weighed to ensure optimal alignment between location, how much space you need, budget, and overall value. 

In this article, we analyse the cost differences between leasing office space in Central London and in Outer London areas. 

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Prime Locations for Office Space, Central London

A dusk view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the middle of Millennium Bridge. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Selecting an office space in a prime Central London location is a strategic choice that can add value to a company’s image. In addition to offering practical benefits like easy access and enhanced networking, office space in a prime Central London location fosters credibility and demonstrates commitment to high professional standards.

In this article, we take a look at some of the most sought-after office locations in Central London and explore the unique features that make these locations stand out.

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Harnessing Clean Technology: Five Strategies for Energy-Efficient Office Spaces

In the face of growing environmental concerns, the need for sustainable business practices is more urgent than ever. Climate change, resource depletion, and ecological degradation present pressing challenges that require immediate and collective action.

We’re all beginning to realise the profound impact our actions have on the planet. Businesses, in particular, play a significant role in this dynamic. According to the UK Green Building Council, the built environment contributes around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. That’s a sobering statistic. But it also reveals an opportunity for transformation. As companies, we have the power to effect meaningful change by shifting towards more sustainable practices.

Central to this transformation is the adoption of clean technology, or ‘cleantech’. Clean technology refers to products, services, or processes that use renewable materials and energy, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and have a minimal impact on the environment. By reducing our carbon footprint, cleantech provides a path towards sustainability while offering economic advantages. This emerging sector holds great potential to redefine and shape a greener future for the corporate world.

At London Office Space, we understand the importance of this transition. For more than a decade, we have helped businesses of all sizes find their ideal workspace. Our mission, however, goes beyond simply providing office space. We are committed to fostering sustainable business practices and promoting energy-efficient workplaces across Central and Greater London.

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Shining a Light on How Office Lighting Fuels Employee Creativity

lights in an office space

The contemporary workspace is not merely a place where tasks are executed; it is an environment where creativity flourishes, ideas merge, and productivity thrives. The importance of the office environment in fostering productivity is an intricate web of factors, many of which are often overlooked. Among them, the role of lighting and office lights stands towards the top. The right lighting doesn’t just illuminate a room; it sets the tone, mood, and energy of a workspace. A well-lit office can boost morale, reduce fatigue, and significantly enhance efficiency. It’s not merely a matter of aesthetics, but a critical aspect affecting the wellbeing and productivity of employees.

Understanding the role of lighting in the workplace goes beyond the selection of bulbs and fixtures. It’s about creating a harmonious working space, where light complements the work, whether in a bustling coworking environment or a serene private suite. In the UK, where the blend of tradition and modernity often reflects in architectural designs, the challenge and opportunity lie in integrating lighting solutions that enhance rather than impede the workflow. This post aims to explore the best office lighting strategies for employee productivity, considering the unique characteristics of various office solutions provided by London Office Space, and aligning them with the specific regulations and trends within the UK market. It’s a journey towards creating a brighter, more productive future for your office space.

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Types of Commercial Leases in the UK: What You Need to Know

close up of a commercial lease agreement document

Commercial leases can be confusing, especially if you’ve never leased a commercial property before. There are many different types of leases, making it extremely important to understand the main differences between them to make the most informed decision for your business. Opting for the correct commercial lease based on your goals and growth trajectory can make or break your business, particularly in the early stages.

Our team of commercial property experts have put together this handy guide introducing the types of commercial leases commonly seen in the UK. Unsure of which type of commercial lease best suits your business? Read on to discover more!

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Wellness in Office Design: Gearing Offices for the Wellness Generation

Office designs have come a long way since the times of dimly lit, cramped cubicles with minimum regard for employee wellbeing. Historically, office design emphasised functionality over comfort, often at the expense of employee health and wellbeing. But over the last few decades, we have observed a paradigm shift in the way offices are designed, with a newfound focus on promoting health and wellness.

This evolution in workplace wellbeing has been driven by an increasing awareness of the significant role the environment plays in our wellbeing and performance. Coupled with this is the emergence of the “Wellness Generation” – a term coined to describe a cohort of workers who highly value their mental and physical health, and expect their workplaces to support their wellness goals.

The Wellness Generation is not bound by age or demographic restrictions; instead, it’s a mindset that transcends boundaries. This generation seeks work environments that not only enable them to do their job, but also encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle. They are aware that an investment in personal wellbeing translates into better performance at work and improved overall life satisfaction.

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Hot Desking & Renting a Virtual Office in London

Hot desking and virtual office in London example co-workspace with business women working on PCs and laptops at separate workstations image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

What is Hot Desking?

Hot desking is a relatively new form of office space allocation that maximizes the available space by allowing multiple users to use one workstation. Since workstations were only used during a fraction of the working day, hot desking emerged to allow employers to maximise the amount of space available.

Hot desking is preferred by organizations known for their flexible working cultures, and it is a cost-effective option for businesses in areas such as Central London where high commercial real estate prices are the norm. In business centres, hot desks can be rented for different periods, ranging from an hour to a month or longer.

Hot desking fosters a corporate culture of sharing and collaboration, making it easier to exchange ideas and brainstorm with staff from different departments and areas of expertise. Renting a hot desk in London for a day, week, month, or however long is required, encourages creativity and allows for access to top flight amenities such as professional meeting room hire and community networking events.

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From Frosty to Toasty: Decoding the UK’s Office Temperature Conundrum

Picture this: it’s a chilly winter morning, and you’ve just arrived at your office. You’re greeted by the familiar hum of computers and the chatter of your colleagues as they catch up over a steaming cup of tea or coffee. As you settle into your desk, you can’t help but notice an icy draft nipping at your fingers, making it almost impossible to concentrate on your work. On the flip side, imagine it’s a sweltering summer afternoon, and the heat is overwhelming, leaving you feeling lethargic and longing for the comfort of an air-conditioned room. In both scenarios, you find yourself yearning for a comfortable environment that allows you to focus and be productive.

The truth is, office temperature plays a crucial role in employee comfort, well-being, and productivity. As anyone who has ever worked in an office knows, finding the perfect temperature can be a challenging task. Too cold, and employees are shivering in their seats, reaching for an extra jumper; too hot, and they’re fanning themselves, struggling to concentrate amidst the heat. Striking the right balance is not only essential for keeping everyone comfortable, but also for ensuring a healthy and productive work environment. But how do you navigate the tricky terrain of office temperature in the United Kingdom?

In this article, we’ll unravel the mystery surrounding the UK’s minimum and recommended office temperature guidelines, giving you the tools you need to create the ideal office environment. From understanding the rationale behind these guidelines to exploring the factors that influence office temperature, we’ll leave no stone unturned in our quest to crack the code on this age-old question.

In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into the world of office temperature, examining the cold hard facts behind the minimum working temperature guideline, as well as the factors that contribute to achieving the perfect balance in the recommended range. We’ll also discuss various temperature management solutions and explore other aspects of creating a comfortable office environment that goes beyond temperature alone.

So, grab your thermometers and put on your thinking caps, as we embark on a journey to decode the UK’s office temperature conundrum!

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