A driving force behind warehouse refurbishment

Staff wellbeing and interior design is nothing new in the commercial sector, but historically it has been rarely discussed in the industrial and logistics sector. Until recently. Lee Stuart, Director at fit-out and refurbishment main contractor Pexhurst, shares his experience and insight on what makes warehouse refurbishment fit for the workforce of today – covering the typical and not so typical provisions that must now be considered. Asset owners across the industrial and logistics sector are beginning to see the value in refurbishment projects that create enhanced working environments, as well as more attractive, sustainable units for potential tenants.

This is especially important at a time when 9 million working age adults in Britain are economically inactive. Though long-term sickness is the leading cause of the problem, some of the population need encouragement to return to employment. So, a heightened focus on staff wellbeing and inclusive work environments is surely set to help retain workers and boost recruitment.

More and more often we are engaging with clients early to ensure that fit-out and refurbishment projects align with their culture and ethos. Warehouses serve a very practical purpose and in many cases conform to common design criteria, but asset owners are beginning to opt for bespoke design configurations that do more than meets the eye.

Acknowledging our diverse communities, the incorporation of prayer rooms is something that we are seeing more frequently. From a design perspective, this is not a challenging task. However, it raises the importance of spatial planning so that new features can work seamlessly alongside those that already exist and cannot be replaced.

Workers are set to benefit from the creation of more homely workplaces. This is being achieved through greater consideration of decoration, finishes and non-working areas. There are numerous examples to acknowledge here, including biophilic design features such as green walls, breakout areas to offer leisure opportunities, and significantly enhanced quality of essential features such as washrooms – which now compare to hotel standards.

Outside of warehouse walls, there is a growing trend of additional infrastructure with workers in mind. Simple additions such as cycle shelters add to site accessibility and the opportunity for staff to maintain healthy lifestyles, while in rare cases there are sports facilities being built – such as gyms or basketball and padel courts.

The net zero agenda is a major catalyst in the refurbishment of warehouses across the UK. Many asset owners are using the BREEAM certification as a marker of success, but the growing focus on wellbeing means there is an opportunity to also prioritise certifications such as WELL, which helps organisations demonstrate commitment to wellbeing by earning the highest pinnacle of health achievement for their buildings.

A challenge for asset owners is the potential cost of warehouse improvement projects. However, investment is helpful in securing tenants and earning the necessary rent to create the desired financial return. With new warehouses offering more to tenants than they have in the past, it’s important that existing warehouses remain attractive through quality refurbishment projects.

The demands of our workforce are always changing, so it’s important that asset owners remain aware of the different ways they can develop the best possible workplaces for career growth and overall wellbeing. For more information, visit www.pexhurst.co.uk

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