Sustainable Space

Storey, British Land’s flexible workspace company, launches its newest building in Haggerston, pioneering the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT). The sustainably focused workspace has been designed to enhance productivity and comprises 34,000 sq. ft. spread across five floors. 6 Orsman Road marks Storey’s commitment to the emerging area, which is home to a wealth of independent eateries, coffee shops and boutique stores, as well as art, music and design studios, including Alexa Chung, Roksanda and Resident Advisor.

Designed by locally based and leading architectural practice Waugh Thistleton Architects, Storey’s 6 Orsman Road is pioneering sustainable materials for flexible offices. The building’s design is aligned to the core principles of sustainability: reduce, reuse, recycle, and celebrates biophilic design.

The flexible workspace comprises customisable private offices as well as shared spaces designed with productivity in mind. Common areas include soft seating areas, meeting rooms and an outdoor terrace space as well as a café with locally sourced, healthy food. True to Storey’s concept of personalisation, customers can choose from a comprehensive menu of design-led yet highly functional furniture.

Stewart Whiting, Head of Product at Storey, comments; “We’re very excited and proud to be launching a new Storey in Haggerston, working with the local creative community, including our architects Waugh Thistleton. Storey 6 Orsman Road is a unique concept, bringing a new solution to the workspace sector. Designed for productivity and wellbeing, it represents the ideal environment for ambitious businesses.”

Waugh Thistleton Architects have an international reputation in environmentally sustainable design and are the pioneers of cross-laminated timber at scale. A CLT structure can reduce a building’s impact on the environment compared to concrete and steel as CLT production requires less water and energy to manufacture. CLT is exposed internally at 6 Orsman Road, minimising the number of finishes used on the structure, and offcuts from the building have also been repurposed to make furniture.

Everything at 6 Orsman Road - from the exposed timber to the waterside setting - is designed to make customers feel calm, focused and inspired. Timber surfaces and panels have an acoustic benefit, absorbing sound and so improving comfort. Storey worked with leading acousticians Sandy Brown to develop acoustics guidelines for the offices, shared spaces and meeting rooms, ensuring productivity isn’t affected by bustle and noise.

Throughout 6 Orsman Road all-natural materials have been used, including clay finishes and marmoleum tiles, which when paired with natural daylight and air-purifying plants creates a working environment that actively boosts productivity and improves wellbeing. Studies found that the use of biophilic design can increase office productivity by 8% and wellbeing by 13%, and companies with timber interiors report higher staff retention, greater productivity and fewer employee sick days.

To further enhance the sustainability of the building, 6 Orsman Road will have photovoltaic cells on the roof which are a renewable energy source. The rooftop terrace has been designed by landscaper FFLO and is bio-diverse, featuring a brown roof, insect boxes, edible plants and fruit trees. As with all Storey buildings, 6 Orsman Road is committed to achieving 0% waste to landfill from day one.

6 Orsman Road is located in a prime position on the bank of the tranquil Regent’s Canal in Haggerston, between Hoxton, Shoreditch and Dalston, with great transport links and cycling routes; Haggerston is located on Super Cycle Highway 1, allowing people to cycle to Liverpool Street and Broadgate in 8 minutes. The Overground station is only 4 minutes away.

Throughout 2020, Storey will aim to support local talent, designers and creatives in Haggerston through varied partnerships and initiatives.

Amenities at 6 Orsman Road will include private and shared terraces with incredible views over the City, South and East London, alongside cycle and shower facilities, and a café on the ground floor. For further information or to book a tour please call 020 7467 3451 or visit storey.co.uk/contact-us.