img(height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=2939831959404383&ev=PageView&noscript=1")

What do clients want?

An in-depth look at the real value of space

Delivering on design and performance is a given for any architect. But how do you go about providing real value for the end client?  When it comes to commercial buildings one way is to make sure that they can achieve maximum return on their investment, by creating as much lettable space as possible.

A recent study by internationally respected property specialists, Sweett Group investigated the ‘Real Value of Space in Commercial Real Estate’. The study draws on both a database of over 7000 commercial buildings of different sizes and rental values across Great Britain and ten real case studies, examining four commonly used wall constructions. The focus of the study was to discover whether specifying premium wall insulation at greater capital cost could be justified by the returns that could be realised through unlocking additional floor space, without increasing the building’s external footprint.

The model considers a wide range of factors to calculate the ROI on the cost of the insulation, including location, design, rental income and construction cost. By opting for a premium solution over cheaper, poorer performing insulation the results were impressive:

  • In 92% of the buildings analysed in the database, the premium insulation product delivered a positive ROI

  • In 40% of the buildings this ROI ranged between 300% and 1000%.

  • A further 18% of the buildings examined exceeded 1000%, with returns of over 4000% being identified in some instances.

  • The 10 real case studies delivered an ROI of between 32% and 1,635%

To find out more download the research here.

Latest

In an Olympic year and with a Commonwealth Games due to be staged in two years’ time, impress us with a bold, temporary sporting arena in Edinburgh or London for a chance to win a £2500 prize

Win up to £2500 in our design ideas competition

Guidance from Purcell stresses the need to use heritage-trained architects, spend time and effort on detailed design, and collaborate with council conservation officers

Purcell guidance advocates heritage-trained architects and collaboration with LPA conservation officers

Our role as architects encompasses much more than design alone, says Muyiwa Oki. Reassuring our clients is an essential part of the service

Reassuring our clients is an essential part of the service

Amin Taha’s Groupwork has thrown a light, nostalgic cloak over a central London office block in a playful upgrade and extension

Amin Taha’s playful upgrade and extension of a city block

Light industrial unit design in Sevenoaks, a daylighting contest for architecture students and a new home counties planning/design framework: these are some of the latest architecture contracts and competitions from across the industry

Latest: £2.6m commercial development, Kent