The Future Works becomes Slough’s first smart office
- In News
- 11:40, 09 November 2020
- 1610 Views
The Future Works, AshbyCapital and U+I’s office development in Slough, has become the town’s first smart office building, thanks to the integration of Smart Spaces’ technology.
The Smart Spaces workplace app for the scheme includes a number of pandemic-proof features, according to the firm. Users can enjoy contactless access from street to office floor; call a lift without touching any buttons; issue QR codes to visitors for contactless check-in; monitor air quality; and see occupancy in different areas to avoid overcrowding.
Tom Smithers, property director at AshbyCapital, said: 'As the name suggests, our ambition for The Future Works is to bring a modern, innovative workplace of the highest quality to Slough. By embracing technology, we have created an exceptional experience for occupiers that meets their new demands and puts The Future Works at the forefront of office design.
'This technology will also help to ensure that the building is safe through facilitating contactless entry and anonymous social distancing monitoring, allowing occupiers to feel confident in their return to work.'
Smart Spaces also helps to create a sense of community within the building, allowing colleagues to communicate on a secure platform while also enabling tenants to book meeting rooms, social events and fitness classes. The community engagement app enables contactless control of heating and cooling via mobile phones, and contains a step tracker for those keen to monitor their activity while at work.
The Smart Spaces platform has the ability to provide significant efficiencies in the building’s operation by enabling tenants to monitor and understand their energy consumption, thus further improving the environmental and sustainability credentials of The Future Works, which already has an ‘Excellent’ Breeam environmental and sustainability rating.
Dan Drogman, CEO at Smart Spaces, added: 'Working with AshbyCapital we have delivered a fully active smart building. The Future Works harnesses the power of the Smart Spaces tech platform and app, highlighting the ability of technology to transform a space into a destination.'
The Future Works is the first phase of a £200 mln investment in Slough designed by architects Sheppard Robson. In total, the three-phase regeneration project will create 350,000 ft2 (32,500 m2) of new office accommodation.
