FCA

After spending over twenty years in their Canary Wharf headquarters, the Financial Conduct Authority decided to relocate to a new single-building home in East London. The goal was to deliver a space that truly represented the ethos of the organisation, with staff wellbeing at the heart. The FCA is a public body funded by the firms it regulates and is accountable to the Treasury and Parliament. Given this accountability, the project had to be delivered with value for money, prudence and practicality throughout. Sustainability and wellbeing were at the heart of the project from initial conception. Close collaboration between the entire professional team, including both client and developer teams was essential in delivering a unique office, bespoke to the FCA requirements, yet extremely flexible to provide future proof accommodation for the next 20 years. The brief was compiled through a series of interviews, workshops and questionnaires and validated by the project Steering Group. The outputs were both technical and visionary, and set out the basis for our concept design. Key principles identified during briefing were: • Clearly defined routes for staff and visitors • Direct route to conference centre and auditorium • Increase flexibility in meeting suite and working floors • Catering offer is a vital staff amenity • Atria should support work and meeting requirements • Achieve the project vision The concept for the interior design was centred around a few core principles: the user experience, staff wellbeing, sustainability and the FCA’s core values of professional excellence – backbone – already on the case - curiosity – strength as a team. Relocating from Canary Wharf to Stratford presented many fears and challenges to staff. These were addressed through an extensive change programme. We engaged with groups from throughout the organisation, including the diversity and accessibility groups. The result is a considered, inclusive environment that suits a diverse body of staff. One key feature output is a suite of non-gender-specific WCs, available to both staff and visitors. The FCA won a 2018 Business Disability Forum Award, for achieving an office move for 3,500 employees which took into account all different types of disability, and in particular, neurodiverse conditions and mental health problems. With a location adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the connection between the exterior and the interior was incredibly important. Natural light and maximising views were a driver in planning the workspaces. The workplace is split across 11 floors, where a large, centrally located atrium provides visual links. We designed a dramatic staircase to physically connect the floors and encourage movement. The floors have been designed to encourage collaboration, with a typical arrangement allowing for maximum future flexibility of stack and ease of use. BREEAM was the preferred certification route to be in line with the base build design, and the project has received interim certification to meet the Excellent target. Additionally, the FCA has now begun the process of FitWel certification. Sustainability, maintenance and ethical sourcing were are the heart of the specification process. The Perkins+Will precautionary list of materials was used as an aid in product specification, with a view to limit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and improve indoor air quality. An extensive interior planting programme was designed to reinforce the connection with the outside; and a green roof minimises water run-off and promotes urban biodiversity. Relocating from Canary Wharf to Stratford presented many fears and challenges to staff. These were addressed through an extensive change programme. We engaged with groups from throughout the organisation, including the diversity and accessibility groups. The result is a considered, inclusive environment that suits a diverse body of staff. One key feature output is a suite of non-gender-specific WCs, available to both staff and visitors. The FCA won a 2018 Business Disability Forum Award, for achieving an office move for 3,500 employees which took into account all different types of disability, and in particular, neurodiverse conditions and mental health problems. Bicycle storage and shower facilities are located at ground floor level. A contemplation room is available for staff and visitor use, and a secondary contemplation room is part of the staff wellbeing suite on level three. Approximately 15,000ft2 has been dedicated to a wellbeing suite, inclusive of a Doctor/ nurses’ office, occupational health office, first aid room, contemplation room, library/quiet area, treatment room and gym. Movement is encouraged throughout the day through planning principles and furniture selections. 100% of workstations have motorised sit-stand functionality. The wellbeing programme is predicted to increase productivity over time, and it has been estimated that use of sit-stand desking could save up to £2m over the life of the lease on staff absence due to health related issues. Peter Hewitt-Penfold, Property and Estates Manager, FCA: “From the start, our programme to build the FCA’s new Head Quarters was comprehensive, collaborative and coordinated between all partners. We wanted to embed health and wellbeing throughout our new building and working in tandem with the designers and construction teams, we were able to do just that. We are really excited to be part of Stratford’s regeneration story. We are at the gateway to International Quarter London and proud to enhance the local area’s role as an important sporting, retail, cultural and academic destination.”.