Shape-shifting London: Investors are transforming unwanted offices.
London’s unwanted office spaces are undergoing transformation into vibrant, functional spaces that meet the evolving needs of a post-pandemic world. Casambi can play a crucial role in this rebirth.
An article recently published in the Financial Times discusses how investors are snapping up and repurposing unwanted London offices in response to the shift towards remote working.
Approximately £2 billion has been invested in converting central London offices into new uses since the beginning of 2022, with an additional £700 million in deals currently underway. This represents a significant portion of London’s current investment volumes. Some of the intended conversions include student accommodation, hotels, and laboratories.
The demand for these alternative uses is driven by factors such as limited research space, the recovery of international students and visitors after the pandemic, and the desire to diversify investment portfolios. However, there are challenges in repurposing surplus office buildings due to physical design, planning regulations, and the cost of renovations. Outdated offices often require substantial financial investment to attract tenants or make them suitable for new purposes, which diminishes their investment appeal.
While it has been hoped that unused offices could be converted into residential properties to address housing shortages, planning constraints and stricter regulations have hindered such conversions. The government has tightened standards for office-to-residential conversions, including requirements for lighting and minimum unit sizes.
Casambi’s wireless lighting control technology can play a crucial role in making it easier to adapt and repurpose spaces.
Firstly, Casambi enables flexible and scalable lighting control without the need for additional wiring or complex installation. This makes it simpler to reconfigure lighting layouts in repurposed spaces, as the wireless nature of the technology allows for easy relocation and adjustment of lighting fixtures.
Secondly, Casambi’s intuitive mobile app and cloud-based platform provide users with convenient control and management of lighting systems. This can be particularly useful when repurposing a building, as it allows for efficient customization of lighting settings based on the new function of the space. Different areas within the building can be easily divided and controlled separately, optimizing lighting conditions for specific activities or zones.
Additionally, Casambi tech offers energy-saving benefits. It allows for precise control of individual fixtures, enabling dimming, scheduling, and occupancy-based automation. This can contribute to reducing energy consumption and optimizing operational costs in repurposed buildings.
Furthermore, Casambi’s compatibility with a wide range of lighting fixtures and sensors provides flexibility in integrating new lighting solutions or retrofitting existing ones. This makes it easier to implement smart lighting features in repurposed spaces, enhancing their functionality and sustainability.
There really is light at the end of the tunnel for those dull, abandoned office blocks.
While you’re here, why not check out our new application page dedicated to all things office lighting!
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