New Guide to Fit Out launch at Langley Point28th March 2012

Birmingham’s flagship green office building Langley Point set the scene for the recent Midlands launch of a new guide to the future of office design.

Over 50 of the region’s property specialists gathered in Langley Point’s new marketing suite on Bath Row for the arrival of The British Council for Offices’ (BCO) new Guide to Fit Out.

The seminar was jointly hosted by developers Folkes Holdings and interior specialists Caip Ltd.

Now in its second edition, the BCO Guide to Fit Out sets the standards for professionals and occupiers looking to achieve high quality office fit out. It covers all aspects of the office market, from site issues through to occupation of the space.

As the chosen venue for BCO’s regional launch, it was a fitting tribute to the new marketing suite at Langley Point, and an opportunity to show the super energy efficient features of the building.

Jenny Mac Donnell, Director of Research at the BCO, said: “The Guide to Fit Out outlines best practice in office design, helping office occupiers make the best use of the space available to them to reap the business benefits of a workplace that boosts employee productivity and morale. Langley Point is a fantastic example of the importance of creating flexible workplaces that can be adapted to suit occupier needs both now and as they evolve in future.”

Langley Point is the only self contained new office building of its size and type in Birmingham, which is built to ‘shell and core’. It gives future occupiers the chance to incorporate their own fit out into the developers’ base build programme.

As a joint venture partnership between Folkes Holdings, Corum and Trigram Properties, Langley Point is one of just a few new BREEAM-excellent rated commercial developments in the city.

Trigram’s director Bill Houle said: “The normal challenge with the shell and core approach is how to present the space so future occupiers can clearly understand how the area would work for them.”

As part of Langley Point’s ‘greener place to work’ campaign, the building highlights key messages to promote the benefits of opting for a greener place to work, such as three minutes walk to The Mailbox, nine minutes walk to Bullring and nine minutes walk to New Street Station.

Strikingly angular in design, the 44,500 sq ft building uses the latest in cutting edge ‘eco’ technologies.
Importantly, visitors can find out how to reduce their carbon footprint with greener technology, renewable energy and improved efficiency.

It is purpose-built to keep running and maintenance costs to a minimum, incorporating features including passive chilled beam cooling for high thermal performance, solar heated water technology and specialist boilers.

An outstanding 85 per cent of the building’s heat can thus be recovered for re-use and this is complemented with energy efficient lighting and other energy efficient measures.

Secure parking comprises 90 car park spaces as well as 42 spaces for cyclists.