Leading multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy WSP has re-opened its newly refurbished office in central London, following a year-long project led by its own engineers.
Since early 2023, WSP has been renovating the office to create a space which is more sustainable, energy efficient and collaborative for both its employees and clients.
The firm, which has around 9,000 people in its UK business, has signed a 15-year lease renewal on the 55,000 sq ft office space located at 70 Chancery Lane. Knight Frank acted on WSP’s behalf to negotiate the renewal and temporary swing space whilst the refurbishment works were undertaken.
It will be the home office for 1,200 employees across five floors, with increased space for co-working and meetings with valued clients across the public and private sectors. The firm counts HS2, National Highways, Network Rail, EDF Energy and National Grid amongst its UK clients.
70 Chancery Lane now includes a new low-carbon heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. Designed by WSP’s Building Services (MEP) team, the system ensures the office is all-electric, removing the existing gas boilers. New heat pumps on the roof will provide a low-carbon, electrically driven way to heat and cool the office. This new system has been connected to the facade on every floor and the building uses free cooling for 80 per cent of the year.
A decentralised variable air volume (VAV) system also manages fresh air flows around the office based on occupancy and CO2 levels. The system is linked to the office desk booking system, adjusting HVAC operations if areas or rooms aren’t booked.
WSP has also increased its capacity at 11 Westferry Circus in Canary Wharf as part of its London office portfolio, expanding the current floor space with the option to take further in future.
Mark Naysmith, President and CEO of WSP EMEIA, said: “We’re delighted to have opened the doors of our newly refurbished office on Chancery Lane. The team has worked incredibly hard to create a sustainable and collaborative space of the highest standards, showcasing our incredible design and engineering talent, this time used for our own premises.”
Matthew Wherry, Head of Corporate Real Estate at WSP said: “We recognise the importance of workspace to help foster collaboration and growth and our new Chancery Lane premises will do just that, providing an invigorating space for innovation and engagement with our clients."
Nick Offer, Head of Building Services at WSP in the UK said: “We wanted to create an office that truly represented what we stand for at WSP. That’s why we prioritised sustainable and energy efficient design at every stage of the project. I am incredibly proud of the resulting all-electric office space, showcasing our commitment to sustainability.”
ENDS
