Commuter facilities – a social value case study

19.08.2021

In this journal post, we’re taking a look at sustainability through the lens of social value.

It is anticipated that beyond the current pandemic, commuters will become less reliant on public transport to travel to work, meaning the provision of facilities that accommodate active travel will be more important than ever before. Along with the changes in transport choices resulting from the pandemic, the UK government’s pledge toward carbon neutrality by 2050 will surely see an increased demand for end of trip facilities, as tariffs like the ULEZ in London will make it more convenient and safer to either walk, cycle, or run to work.

As one of our 6 sustainable design principles, social value is at the heart of all our projects. The RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes guide calls for architects to “create secure places for privacy” and “provide high quality permeable links to social amenities”. By creating brand new commuter facilities, we are creating a safe place for the community to use, whilst also encouraging the use of carbon neutral means of transport – which will in turn help improve air quality by reducing car traffic.

The Warwick Building

The Warwick Building project is currently in the design stages and will turn 18 of the car parking spaces in the current underground carpark into washrooms, bicycle storage and electric vehicle charging facilities. The project is aiming to create 204 lockers, 131 cycle spaces, 11 showers and 2 WCs. The proposed facilities exceed the guidance criteria for a fully occupied building set by the LBHF Local Plan (2018), BCO (2019), WELL & BREEAM and so will help the Warwick Building withstand potential future trends in sustainability.

88 Wood Street

One of our most recently completed projects, 88 Wood Street, has seen the creation of a two-level cycle parking pavilion that is cladded in laminated timber. The new cycle pavilion provides a further 28 cycle parking spaces to compliment to the current 32, as well as changing spaces, complete with lockers, showers and WCs.

For more information please get in touch at sustainability@morrowlorraine.com