Slough: The Future Works receives UK's first platinum AirScore rating

The Future Works, AshbyCapital and U+I’s office development in Slough, has received a platinum rating for its indoor air quality.

The 100,000 sq ft office building is the first in the UK to have received the rating following an AirRated survey, which uses high-specification sensor technology to monitor indoor environments. The AirScore is calculated following monitoring of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), temperature and humidity; and the resultant AirScore rating reflects the indoor air quality.

The survey showed that the air in the building contained exceptionally low levels of PM2.5, with levels below 3ug/m³ for 99% of the survey duration – well below target levels set by the World Health Organisation (10ug/m³) and other healthy buildings standards which set thresholds at roughly 12-15ug/m³. The building also showed low levels of CO2 and TVOCs, demonstrating good ventilation, and temperature and humidity measurements within the ideal ranges for health, wellbeing and productivity.

This platinum AirScore rating adds to The Future Works’ already impressive wellness, sustainability and technology credentials. The building has an ‘excellent’ BREEAM environmental and sustainability rating through features including green roofs, rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic panels. Using the technology platform Smart Spaces, The Future Works also offers a tailor-made workplace app that promotes sustainability and wellness, connecting occupiers to the building’s systems and community.

Tom Smithers, property director at AshbyCapital, said: “We seek to create smart, sustainable office buildings that meet modern occupiers’ evolving requirements, and so we’re extremely proud that The Future Works is the UK’s first building to be AirScore Platinum. 2020 has accelerated the growing awareness of the importance of indoor air quality, not only for our health, but also for our wellbeing and productivity. By delivering a first-rate indoor environment alongside our tailor-made app, which facilitates contactless entry and anonymous social distancing monitoring, The Future Works not only allows occupiers to feel confident in their return to work, but makes a positive contribution to employees’ quality of life.”

Francesca Brady, CEO of AirRated, added: “Creating and delivering healthy indoor environments has never been more important. Perhaps equally as crucial is the need to communicate this message; making it easily translatable to building occupants. Knowledge and education are key to providing effective assurance to those of us re-entering the workplace, as well as being a vital part of maintaining healthy spaces. As an independent third party, AirRated was able to provide data-backed assurance that indoor air quality met and exceeded optimal levels for health, wellbeing and productivity at The Future Works. For occupiers, looking to take space to help drive business success will be critical and it starts with the basics."

The Future Works is the first phase of a £200 million investment in Slough. It provides exceptional facilities, including a 3,100 sq ft communal roof terrace with views of Windsor Castle. The striking building, designed by award-winning architects Sheppard Robson, offers 100,000 sq ft of grade A office space over seven floors and across clear, open floorplates of 14,800 sq ft, with high levels of natural light, as well as ground-floor retail space, a double-height feature entrance hall and secure basement parking with electric car charging spaces. The building’s extensive facilities for cyclists and runners include bicycle parking, luxurious changing rooms with towel service, and a drying room. 74,000 sq ft of office space is currently available, over five contiguous floors.