Opinion

The Future of the CAT A Office Fit Out

Date: July 24
Author: Hannah Chalmers-Stevens

The last five years have seen a huge shift in mindsets regarding sustainability and CAT A office fit outs, but there's still a long way to go. 

The UK seems to be the only country that takes a CAT A approach, with other countries like the US and those within Europe carrying out CAT B, tenant fit outs straight from the shell. This is not to deny that there are some benefits to the CAT A approach – it's good for marketing and can speed up the construction programme - but it can lead to a significant waste of materials!

As a project lead usually involved in both types of projects, I know that reuse is the way to minimise waste. It can be so disheartening at the start of the construction phase of a fit out project to see elements that have only been installed for weeks or months be removed and go to landfill because there is no robust strategy in place for their reuse or recycling.

We are starting to see some changes in the way we approach this issue as an industry, with a lot of projects now being designed and refurbished as "shell & floor". This involves retaining as much as possible of the existing raised access floor from the previous fit out or providing a new or recycled system. The rest of the office unit is left as a shell with a landlord contribution to ceilings, lighting and other essential items that would have previously formed part of the CAT A. 


This is a big step in the right direction, but it still sparks the debate on the quality and aesthetic of the installed raised access floor. And yes, an existing or recycled system will never look perfect, even though it may work soundly. As an industry, there needs to be an acceptance of compromised aesthetics ­- in this case ­- with the mindset that it may be covered with a floor finish as part of the tenant's fit out, eventually serving its purpose as a functional element, and not an aesthetic one.

The future also looks positive in terms of AI and VR. One aspect of "shell & floor" is often the need for a "show" floor to market for potential tenants. With time, VR systems will become so common that it will be possible to visualise the space through technology, without the need for a physical version of it, focusing the tenant's attention on location, view and amazing landlord amenities.

Looking ahead, a more sustainable CAT A approach feels achievable, but it's our responsibility as designers, suppliers, contractors, clients and consultants to keep working towards it. In the future, I hope we see more reused and recycled materials being used, working towards repurposing items elsewhere in our schemes or into other projects; ensuring materials and products have a longer life and further supporting the circular economy.

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