Flexible workspace provider x+why has opened its first suburban site in Chiswick, potentially indicating upcoming trends for regional hubs rather than centralised HQs.
The site at Chiswick Works W4, intends to meet local suburban demand for hybrid-working and allow people to work close to home on days when they don’t want to travel into central London.
The BREEAM "Very Good" rated space is x+why’s first site targeted at remote workers offering the escape, community, fun, and focus that working from home can lack. The 30,000 sq foot space will be a mix of co-working, dedicated desks and small offices, and there will be several enterprise suite spaces, suited to larger companies.
Working Near Home
Working near home can be a middle ground between working from home or going back to the office, so companies can offer a hub and spoke model.
According to a Survation survey of 2,000 UK office workers, up to half (42 per cent) would like to work near home in a serviced office or co-working space as well as working in their main office.
20 per cent predicted their company would retain their current office but allow employees to work near home in flexible workspaces closer to where they live.
The survey also found 53 per cent of UK office workers plan to work in the office and remotely, typically three days in the office and two remotely.
A Sustainable Hybrid Working Space
Chiswick Works has been developed in line with x+why’s recent B Corp certification - from the triple-height reception with floor to ceiling glazing bringing a huge amount of natural light, to the dramatic mezzanine, and inspiring Mission Room with amphitheatre style seating.
There is also a full fresh air handling system to all spaces. The fit-out and furnishing of the space includes sustainable materials such as cork floors and Baux acoustic panels, as well as locally and environmentally sourced furniture and a biophilic design. The site's industrial heritage is reflected in its contemporary design features, and the passing tube and train tracks provide the perfect, fun distraction through the floor to ceiling windows on the first floor.
Rupert Dean, CEO and co-founder of x+why, comments “Chiswick Works is ideally located as our first West London outpost, an area that has long been considered a valuable base for creative and innovative entrepreneurs. The region was home to the UK’s first-ever shared workspace at Barley Mow in 1976, encouraging a plethora of individuals from designers and architects to jewellers and craftspeople. That eclectic mix of creative types remains as strong in West London today as ever, with 41 new start-ups said to be operational per square km across the region.
"Furthermore, the pandemic has driven an increase in demand for hybrid-working with locals looking for a place to work close to home on days when they are not going into the office.”
This Week in FM (Ella Tansley) - https://www.twinfm.com/article/xwhy-opens-its-first-suburban-office-hub-for-home-workers