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x+why, the flexible workspace with purpose, is launching new in-house sustainable bespoke workplace design service, whydesign
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New bespoke service fitted out 65,000 sq ft for Lloyds Banking Group in Birmingham at a staggeringly low carbon cost
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New x+why site, The Kenrick, Marylebone, opened in March 2024 at 100% occupancy, fully designed by whydesign
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whydesign supports both existing members who might be scaling within or between their buildings and new members looking for design led and sustainable space
Leading flexible workspace specialist x+why is launching a new in-house award-winning design team, whydesign, focused on customising sustainable and design-led office spaces.
whydesign will support businesses in the optimisation of workspaces to meet brand and business needs, whether in one of x+why’s suites or in a managed deal in another location. It specialises in seamlessly blending modern aesthetics and ethical design, addressing the growing demand for workspaces that not only inspire productivity but also prioritise sustainability.
The fully bespoke service offered by x+why draws upon the experience of a team of designers who have between them delivered nearly 400,000 sq ft of design-led space for some of the most established and recognisable brands and Landlords in the UK. They are well practised in delivering high quality, best in class workspaces, and bring with them a deep understanding of the requirements of businesses looking to achieve a sustainable yet stylish footprint.
whydesign recently supported Lloyds Banking Group with a refit of a 65,000 sq ft managed deal in Foundry, x+why’s flexible workspace in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, housing 800 employees. Foundry itself is a case study in workplace revival and sustainable fitout, having previously been an abandoned WeWork space, the x+why team committed to re-using and upcycling as much as possible. As part of the bespoke design service for Lloyds, in partnership with John Robertson Architect’s whydesign conducted an embodied carbon study to examine the carbon emissions of different fitout options.
Utilising new player to the UK market Nornorm’s fully circular furniture model alongside other responsible and sustainable practices such as re-working existing partitioning systems, the total amount of carbon emitted across 65,000 sq ft was a mere 2.6 tCO2e, which is equivalent to only 4.4 flights to New York from London, or 6500 cups of coffee, demonstrating the importance and impact of re-use and upcycling.
x+why’s most recent project designed by whydesign, The Kenrick, opened earlier this month. It exemplifies the beautiful design and eye for detail that the bespoke design service is set to become recognised for. x+why has refurbished the workspace on behalf of partner landlord, The Rumi Foundation, and it will become the 11th building to be in the x+why group. The 5,000 sq ft building is set to open at 100% occupancy, with three larger enterprise tenants.
x+why is a B Corp certified, flexible workspace specialist, with eight innovative, green spaces across the UK, totalling over 400,000 sq ft of space, at over 85% occupancy and more scheduled to open this year. The company committed to changing the way the world works for good by supporting businesses as they embrace more responsible ways of working. Not only do x+why members enjoy high-quality office spaces with excellent sustainability credentials; they also become part of an active and collaborative community of like-minded, purpose-driven organisations.
Phil Nevin, Chief Creative Officer of x+why said: “We are thrilled to launch x+why’s latest offering with whydesign. The team at whydesign offer a holistic approach to the future of workspaces, providing environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also aligned with the principles of sustainability. whydesign helps support both existing members who might be scaling within or between our buildings and new members looking for design led and sustainable space.
“We are delighted to see the impact that this approach has had for businesses such as Lloyds Banking Group who were looking for a bespoke, low carbon, flexible space, and most recently in the opening of our latest building, the Kenrick, Marylebone. The homely and stylish design of Kenrick really helped it stand out in the market for us to pre-sell 100% of the space. We see this as a great marker for historic stock, which from an environmental point of view we as a sector need to become expert at bringing back to life and making it relevant for today’s businesses.”
Wayne Nutland, Regional Portfolio Lead, Lloyds Banking Group, said “whydesign delivered 65,000 sq ft of fully refurbished managed space for us on a very tight turn around and budget. The space not only looks great, it operates perfectly for our needs and all at a very low carbon cost thanks to x+why’s approach.”
Chris Turner, B Lab, said “When we recently scaled up our team whydesign helped us move office within the same building, creating a new space that exactly fitted our business needs and reflected our brand.”
Alex Clegg, Saboteur, said “We recently outgrew our space in an x+why, but x+why not only found us a new building to move to, whydesign then helped design and deliver the perfect balance of office space, collaboration areas, meeting rooms and zoom rooms for us, all with typical design flair and creating spaces that feel unique and like a home from home.’
For more information visit https://www.xandwhy.co.uk/whydesign.
