Healthy, sustainable workplaces: A foundation to drive business performance

Healthy, sustainable workplaces have become a core part of business performance. Energy efficiency, comfort and wellbeing are now as integral to operational resilience as digital infrastructure or location. The buildings companies choose directly affect brand reputation, talent attraction and retention and progress towards environmental goals.

For high-growth businesses, this connection is becoming strategic. A well-designed workspace supports focus, collaboration and creativity while reducing costs and carbon emissions. It shows employees and customers what a company values and how it plans for the future.

Sustainability and wellbeing are no longer parallel ambitions; together they create environments where people perform better and organisations grow stronger.

Health, sustainability and performance

Businesses face a new mix of pressures and possibilities. Rising energy prices, tighter carbon regulations and growing scrutiny of ESG performance are reshaping how businesses think about real estate. At the same time, expectations from employees and customers have evolved. People increasingly want to work for and with organisations that act responsibly and create work environments that reflect those values (1). 

Almost half of Gen Z and Millennials have resigned from a position because the values of the company didn’t align with their own (2). Whilst a BUPA study found that employees feel their employer should be doing more to support their physical health (49%) and mental health (43%) (3). For many organisations, the workplace has become one of the clearest demonstrations of their values in action.

The quality of a work environment  has a measurable impact on how people and businesses perform. Studies by Harvard University show that cognitive function scores are 26% higher in green-certified buildings than in conventional ones (4), while the World Green Building Council links improved air quality, daylight and temperature control to productivity gains of up to 20% (5). With staff costs accounting for roughly 90% (6) of a company’s operating expenditure, investing in environments that enhance wellbeing and performance is one of the most effective ways to improve overall efficiency.

Healthier workplaces reduce absenteeism, improve engagement and strengthen culture. Sustainable buildings reduce operational costs, stabilise energy use and enhance reputation. As McKinsey & Company notes, organisations that embed sustainability into their operations tend to outperform peers by up to 20% in long-term value creation (7). Healthier, more efficient workplaces make this possible. 

Delivering sustainable performance in practice

Retrofit workspace without compromise

The £25 million transformation of Pall Mall demonstrates how sustainability and wellbeing can work together to create a better-performing building. Once an unloved Grade II listed office and largely vacant, it has been reimagined as a modern workspace for the city’s growing digital and professional community. 

The retrofit has avoided the release of 7,900 tonnes of embodied carbon, equivalent to more than 16,000 flights from London to New York. Air-source heat pumps replaced gas boilers, while renewable electricity from the Kirk Hill Wind Farm powers the building. Upgrades to insulation, glazing and mechanical systems have reduced energy use by around 45%, a saving that directly benefits customers. 

The result is an efficient, operationally net zero workspace designed around people. Natural light, improved air quality and access to outdoor space all contribute to wellbeing. A new roof terrace, active-travel hub, gym and high-quality amenities encourage connection and healthier working patterns. Pall Mall is targeting an EPC A rating and BREEAM Very Good certification, setting a new benchmark for sustainable retrofit in city-centre environments.

Labs that balance sustainability and precision

Laboratories are essential to innovation but among the most energy-intensive workspaces. Designing for sustainability in these environments demands a different approach.

At Alderley Park, energy efficiency is being improved through Combined Heat and Power optimisation and plans for an ambient-loop heating network. The campus’s open-access labs have achieved My Green Lab Gold Certification (8), recognising sustainable practices such as energy-smart equipment and reduced waste. These measures reduce carbon and cost simultaneously, helping research-led businesses meet their ESG commitments while maintaining high performance.

Set in 400 acres of parkland, the restoration of Radnor Mere and its reedbeds has enhanced biodiversity while creating outdoor spaces for recreation and connection. For customers, this improves both the working environment and the wider ecological value of the site. 

Together, Pall Mall and Alderley Park show how very different environments, from city-centre offices to complex science campuses, can achieve the same outcome: high performance, low carbon spaces and better places for people.

Designing and choosing workspaces

The shift towards healthier, more sustainable workplaces is changing how businesses think about property. Space is no longer simply a cost to manage but a strategic tool that shapes performance, culture and brand. There are clear factors emerging that are influencing decision-making.

Certification. Standards such as WELL, BREEAM and NABERS provide independent validation that a building has been designed and operated with wellbeing and environmental performance in mind. At 111 Piccadilly, one of Manchester’s first WELL-certified buildings, enhanced ventilation, natural light, active travel facilities and energy-efficient systems create an environment that supports focus and wellbeing. 

Energy performance. Operational efficiency is becoming a top priority due to volatile energy prices and increasing transparency in carbon data. Buildings that significantly reduce energy consumption offer immediate cost savings and help organisations achieve net-zero goals. EPC ratings, with 'A' being the most efficient, indicate a building's energy efficiency. By 2030, all our spaces will utilise renewable electricity, and all areas under our direct control will be net zero carbon.

Amenities. As hybrid working has become the norm, employees expect their workspace to offer more than functionality. On-site gyms, roof terraces, coffee shops and collaboration zones make time in the office purposeful and enjoyable, supporting wellbeing and culture while encouraging connection and creativity.

Wider ecosystems. Businesses are also considering the environment beyond their own front door - green space, transport links, local services and social infrastructure - as part of the decision-making process. Mixed-use districts and innovation campuses offer convenience, connectivity and a stronger sense of community. We go beyond the basics by fostering dynamic ecosystems across our campuses and cities. These ecosystems provide comprehensive support, including access to business support, finance, and a diverse events social programme, all facilitated by our dedicated community and innovation teams.

Connection to nature. Effective biophilic design goes beyond adding plants to an office. It integrates nature through materials, light, views and movement. Research from the University of Oregon found that employees with visual access to nature took 10% less sick leave than those without, demonstrating that even small design interventions can have a measurable effect on wellbeing. Spaces that offer natural light, visible greenery and access to outdoor areas create calm, focus and a sense of belonging.

Technology that enhances. Smart building systems are increasingly helping occupiers reduce energy use and create more consistent comfort levels. The most successful workplaces use technology to automate temperature, lighting and ventilation adjustments. Enterprise Wharf in Birmingham is powered by a smart building management system with intelligent features that manage over 6,000 devices, reduce energy consumption, improve comfort and support ESG goals.

Connectivity. Transport links remain one of the biggest determinants of a workplace’s environmental footprint. Locations with good public transport, cycling infrastructure and electric-vehicle charging help reduce emissions and commuting stress. For businesses targeting reductions in Scope 3 emissions, these options are among the most effective levers for change.

Why healthy, sustainable workplaces outperform

The value of healthy, sustainable workplaces for business success is well established. Energy-efficient buildings reduce operational costs and carbon emissions. Environments designed for wellbeing enhance focus, productivity and engagement, helping businesses attract and retain the best people. Sustainable developments strengthen reputation, demonstrating leadership to customers, partners and investors alike.

“The shift towards healthier, more sustainable workplaces is reshaping what businesses need from their buildings. Our role is to stay ahead of that change by designing and managing spaces that can meet rising expectations, adapt over time and support the long-term resilience of the organisations we work with.” Alex Edwards, ESG Director, Bruntwood SciTech

We operate across the UK’s leading innovation cities, including Manchester, Cheshire, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool and Cambridge.  We create spaces that bring these principles together. Every workspace is designed and managed around wellbeing, sustainability, technology, biophilic design, community and amenity, creating places where people and ideas can thrive.

For forward-thinking businesses, the next step is to be thoughtful about their choices: to assess workspaces based on their long-term performance, not just headline rent; to prioritise flexibility alongside wellbeing and to view workplaces as ecosystems that foster connection, purpose and progress.

Find your next workspace

References:

(1) ttps://www.paulpolman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MC_Paul-Polman_Net-Positive-Employee-Barometer_Final_web.pdf  (2) https://www.paulpolman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MC_Paul-Polman_Net-Positive-Employee-Barometer_Final_web.pdf (3)  https://www.bupa.co.uk/~/media/Files/MMS/MMS-hosting/bins-20401.pdf (4)  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132316304723 (5) https://worldgbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/compressed_WorldGBC_Health_Wellbeing__Productivity_Full_Report_Dbl_Med_Res_Feb_2015-1.pdf (6)  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132316304723 (7) https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-triple-play-growth-profit-and-sustainability (8) https://mygreenlab.org/