by Rebecca Walker — September 27, 2010—The world’s leading cities should develop a local set of standards to provide landlords, investors and occupiers with better workplace environments, a new report said.
The report, International Office Space: a Tale of Six Cities, found a lack of consistent standards and specifications for local commercial property markets, particularly in newer markets within eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
It argues there is a need for a universal specification to benchmark Grade A office space to make it a level playing field for tenants, as well as landlords, when entering a market.
The study, from the British Council for Offices, examined office space in Abu Dhabi, Bangalore, London, Moscow, New York and Shanghai—cities selected to reflect contrasting emerging and mature markets.
Floorplate efficiency, column grids, raised floor zones, floor loadings and the internal temperature of workspaces, were the principal areas of design and function where variations were found.
In contrast, commonalities across markets were uncovered in occupation densities, floor to ceiling heights, primary circulation allowance and small power allowances.
