Raising the standard: The GPA sets out new office design guidance
NEW guidelines have been published by the Government Property Agency (GPA) as it continues its mission to create a smaller, better and greener office estate.
Today (2 July) the GPA launched its updated Government Workplace Design Guide, which outlines improved design standards for government offices.
The document introduces the Core Design Requirements (CDR) framework and provides a consistent approach for delivering inclusive, accessible, modern, sustainable and digitally-enabled work spaces.
It is written to provide clarity and consistency for those involved in the commissioning, planning, designing and managing of new or significantly redeveloped government workplaces, ranging from delivery teams to the departments and people who work in these spaces.
The initial Government Workplace Design Guide was published in August 2020, however the GPA has now updated the existing guidance due to the rapid evolution in the way people work in offices. Government departments and industry bodies were consulted during the update, and benchmarking with industry guidance and cost analysis was carried out.,
Mark Bourgeois, CEO at the GPA, said:
“The updated Government Workplace Design Guide provides a key framework for delivering work spaces that are inclusive, sustainable and digitally connected – setting the standard for the government office estate now and for the future. It provides the clarity and consistency needed to create modern and high-quality offices which boost the performance, collaboration and wellbeing of civil servants across the country.
“This new guide signals the GPA’s commitment to supporting the government’s priorities, most notably the Plan for Change and transition to Net Zero, with sustainability embedded throughout our new guidance. We now look forward to working alongside our departmental and private sector partners to ensure the updated guide is adopted across government, as we aim to raise the standard of offices in the UK.”
The guide supports the Government Functional Standard for Property (GovS 004) and is accompanied by a suite of technical handbooks covering architecture, fire safety, Net Zero and sustainability, biodiversity and nature recovery, mechanical, electrical and plumbing as well as historic buildings.
Alongside its guidance on quality and consistency, the new CDR framework includes criteria that provides flexibility on how to respond to the specific context of a government building and the departments based there – reducing redesign costs.
Clear standards are also set for digital connectivity and interoperability, empowering civil servants to collaborate and work productively across various locations.
Established in 2018, the GPA manages more than 53 per cent of the government office estate and acts as a single landlord for numerous Civil Service departments and agencies.
It is currently delivering one of the UK’s largest workplace transformation programmes, while promoting economic growth through its Government Hubs Programme, which is creating great places to work for civil servants up and down the UK.
To view the guide, click here.
