Developer HFD Property Group has devised a “touch-free” layout for its 177 Bothwell Street office scheme in Glasgow, in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Occupiers at the property, which is set to become Glasgow’s largest single office building, will be able to arrive and reach their chosen floors without having to touch any part of the building’s exterior or interior.
Its existing intelligent building technology will also be “further enhanced” to improve accessibility.
Visitors’ mobile devices will be pre-accredited to allow them to operate security gates and lifts using an app.
Touchless, app-activated lighting will remove the need to physically operate switches.
Toilet facilities will also be fitted with sensor technology to remove the need for touch and automatically inform the facilities management team when supplies run low.
A dedicated loading bay and centrally located delivery lockers will mean that mail and packages will be delivered directly from supplier to customer.
The property’s ventilation system is also being reviewed to incorporate new filtering methods and enhance heat recovery safety.
Underfloor heating will replace air-based systems, particularly in small, high-density areas such as toilets and reception. This will enable 100% fresh air ventilation without recirculating air.
A large part of the offices, which are set for completion in the summer of 2021, have so far been prelet to Virgin Money for its new headquarters.
HFD Group’s serviced offices business will occupy 65,000 sq ft of the building.
Stephen Lewis, managing director of HFD Property Group, said: “Covid-19 has prompted us to review the building design and operation of 177 Bothwell Street, ahead of its delivery next year.
“Factoring in what we know about the disease so far, our review has focused on a number of aspects of the development, particularly people’s physical interaction with the building, along with the use of technology and amenities.”
Lewis added that other enhancements may be incorporated “as we come to know more about the disease”.
“Many of the workplace trends that were present before – such as flexibility, sustainability and agility – have now been ‘super-accelerated’ by the virus, and that is only likely to continue in the months and years ahead,” he said.
“These changes mean that occupiers have much to consider when it comes to choosing the property that will support their objectives, keeping them and their staff safe and well throughout.”
An independent economic impact assessment found that the Bothwell Street development could generate £2.8bn of gross value added to the Scottish economy over 25 years.
To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette
