WSP provided smart solutions consulting services to enable connected experiences, data gathering, analytics, and IoT platform integration for a 125,000 sq. ft. commercial office and customer experience centre. We also provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, and building technology design. We were selected to advise a leading global management consultancy on how to implement their vision of the workplace. By leveraging our Innovation Centre and our expertise in the latest technology solutions that are available, we translated the client requirements into clear specifications on what infrastructure, equipment and design changes needed to be made in their space to achieve their objectives.
Creating a Connected Workplace Experience
We helped the client define their vision more clearly, and in a more holistic manner, by identifying the most suitable KPIs to enable them to measure progress in achieving their objectives more accurately. Existing KPIs were mostly concentrated around thermal comfort metrics, but we suggested taking a broader view of measurement criteria.
In addition, we recommended that equipment used for measurement, should also gather data that was usable for the client and provide easy access to live information about the space.
One of the proposed solutions the client decided to implement had a particularly tangible value for their business as it allowed them to look into how space is utilized. They had a very high ‘employee-to-desk’ ratio, approximately five to one, because most of their employees were embedded in their clients’ offices. Therefore, it was essential for them to know how many employees were actually using their offices to better plan utilization and capacity of space to ensure it would be sufficient for their workforce. The solution we proposed enabled the firm to understand both real-time and historical data on which space was being used, and how frequently.
“Developed a solution that helps improve space utilization”
We were also involved in the tenant lease agreement which included a discussion around what data the client would be given access to by the building owner, and what level of control they would have over building provided services within their leased space. It was crucial to set expectations related to the data that would be made available to the tenant, as well as what level of commitment there would be from the developer’s side towards maintaining certain targets.
For example, if the tenant wanted to know the level of air quality in the space, it was important to define whether the owner would make that information available to the tenant. In addition, if the air quality was not at the appropriate level, the lease needed to outline what the developer’s obligation was in terms of air quality improvement.