Why does social value matter in fit out?
With workplaces across the UK regularly refurbished, fit outs offer a far greater opportunity to generate social impact than many people realise – from boosting local economies and building green skills to celebrating local context. Leading organisations are already realising the commercial value, including employee engagement and reputational gains.
How we fit out buildings involves some of the most consequential decisions in the built environment. An anonymous fit out with no clear purpose beyond aesthetics can signal the very things organisations want to avoid: short-term, unsustainable thinking. By contrast, environmentally and socially responsible fit outs prioritise longevity over churn, and foster local connection.
This creates workplaces that feel rooted in their location, intentional and credible, and stand the test of time.
Across the property life cycle, we have seen that environmental and social value are most powerful when shaping decision-making at every stage.
These learnings are guiding British Land’s fit out of our new head office at 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place. They also fed into our Sustainability Brief: Office Fit Out, which is challenging business as usual, providing practical guidance for our development teams, supply chain, property teams and occupiers.
WHY IS THIS COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE?
Socially conscious fit outs may be the missing ingredient for employers looking to attract, motivate and retain the best talent. Research has long shown that there is a direct link between workplace environments and productivity.1 When people know that their workplace has contributed positively to its neighbourhood, this feels good, fostering pride, motivation and employee engagement.
The surroundings and community context of an office building can affect individual employees’ perceptions and behaviour and the overall performance of the organisation.
Fit outs are also an opportunity for businesses to signal confidence in their chosen location – a top priority when leasing space. This goes beyond transport links and amenities; it’s also about the surrounding neighbourhood and its identity. Using locally sourced materials, furniture and artwork – and adopting a design approach that flows from outside in – creates workplaces that are more distinctive and rooted in their local context.
British Land’s own research reinforces the commercial value of social impact: occupiers who rate our social contribution highly are more likely to recommend us; and visitors who rate our places highly for social contribution stay longer, spend more with retail occupiers, and are more likely to recommend those destinations.2
HOW TO INCREASE SOCIAL VALUE IN FIT OUT?
1. Reflect local context through design and procurement
At Dock Offices, Canada Water, our fit out – designed with Conran and Partners – brings this to life. Meeting tables are made locally by London Reclaimed, supporting young people into employment in Bermondsey, while commissioned artwork reflects the area’s character. In operation, spaces are opened for community use where possible, from local leadership meetings to entrepreneur training.
Dock Offices
At Dock Offices, Canada Water, our fit out – designed with Conran and Partners – brings this to life. Meeting tables are made locally by London Reclaimed, supporting young people into employment in Bermondsey, while commissioned artwork reflects the area’s character. In operation, spaces are opened for community use where possible, from local leadership meetings to entrepreneur training.
Dock Offices2. Partner with suppliers to enhance opportunities
At our new 20 Triton Street head office, we are working with fit out contractor Thirdway to deliver career masterclasses for students, provide expert volunteering to local projects, procure materials locally, celebrate artists with strong connections to Camden and fundraise for Regent’s Place Community Fund. This further strengthens the connection between us and the local community we are proud to have partnered with for decades.
Regent’s Place Community Fund
At our new 20 Triton Street head office, we are working with fit out contractor Thirdway to deliver career masterclasses for students, provide expert volunteering to local projects, procure materials locally, celebrate artists with strong connections to Camden and fundraise for Regent’s Place Community Fund. This further strengthens the connection between us and the local community we are proud to have partnered with for decades.
Regent’s Place Community Fund3. Employ local people
During construction and fit out of Dock Shed, Canada Water, over 30 unemployed local residents gained jobs paying the London Living Wage. This focus on skills, livelihoods and opportunity creates a legacy occupiers can be proud of. The building, designed by Allies and Morrison, celebrates local heritage, through a contemporary reinterpretation of historic dock warehouses. In operation, the space also continues to create social value, including hosting an AI hackathon for SMEs with charity partner Tree Shepherd.
Dock Shed
During construction and fit out of Dock Shed, Canada Water, over 30 unemployed local residents gained jobs paying the London Living Wage. This focus on skills, livelihoods and opportunity creates a legacy occupiers can be proud of. The building, designed by Allies and Morrison, celebrates local heritage, through a contemporary reinterpretation of historic dock warehouses. In operation, the space also continues to create social value, including hosting an AI hackathon for SMEs with charity partner Tree Shepherd.
Dock ShedUNLOCK THE HIDDEN OPPORTUNITY
Here’s my challenge to everyone shaping interiors today: stop designing offices that could be anywhere. Instead, seize the opportunity to embed social value into the workplaces of the future. Together, we can create embodied and operational social value that endure.
2030+ Targets
For all our fit out targets, along with information on how we’re continually driving improvements, download our Sustainability Brief: Office Fit Out
Explore our 2030 Sustainability Strategy: Greener Spaces, Thriving Places, Responsible Choices
1 World Green Building Council: Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in Offices (2017).
2 British Land surveys of 1,700 visitors, 700 retail store managers and 70 office facilities managers.