The Search for CIBSE’s New Head Office 

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28 August 2024

As part of the search for a new HQ, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers has commissioned an audit of its current Balham premises.

 

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222 Balham High Road has been home to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) headquarters for over 45 years, and the membership body has long considered whether the building reflects the institution’s vision. As CEO Ruth Carter says: “When members visit Balham, they look at it with affection and give a wry smile – but while they may reminisce about their interviews, their reaction is “great, when are you going?”

The property was sold in June 2024, with CIBSE remaining at the site on a “peppercorn rent” basis until March 2025.

While retrofitting the existing site was considered, the cost involved meant that a relocation was the best option. The first stage of this process involved auditing the current premises at Balham and how they were performing for its staff. CIBSE commissioned Arup to conduct a Building Use Studies (BUS) survey.

 

The BUS Methodology

 

The BUS Methodology is a licensed way to measure occupant satisfaction in a building that’s still occupied, capturing as much data as possible without disrupting daily business. 

Arup’s advice to CIBSE was to capture the sentiments of occupants beyond what conventional metrics reveal. Instead of focusing on metrics and KPIs that interest senior leadership, occupant wellbeing, comfort, and productivity should be prioritised. 

Arup measured responses from CIBSE staff against an international benchmark of 1,300 responses representing 80,000 individuals and over 30 years of industry best practice. 

The results showed that the Balham office falls in the bottom 10 per cent of the BUS 2023 UK non-domestic benchmark, failing to meet modern office space standards.

Key areas in need of improvement include HVAC provision, lighting, and sustainability. Employees highlighted the office's dated appearance and lack of inspiration, emphasising a significant gap between the current workspace and their expectations. 

The office was criticised for being unsuitable for modern work, with many small and disconnected workspaces hindering cross-team collaboration. 

 

New CIBSE HQ

 

CIBSE is actively looking for its new Head Office, and Arup recommends that it conducts the survey again after the move to assess the new location’s impact. Ruth Carter, CIBSE Chief Executive is positive about the move: “We have ambitious plans as a leading global Institution – our accessibility, reach and voice will support us in continuing our positive growth trajectory.”

To oversee the move, CIBSE has set up a Premises Advisory Committee (PAC), chaired by Paddy Conaghan FCIBSE. The top priorities are that the new office meets CIBSE's specific needs, is centrally located for employees, and aligns with decarbonisation and building safety goals. 

A central London location is being considered to enhance accessibility for CIBSE's growing international membership, which now represents 29 per cent of the total members.

Picture: a photograph of the exterior of the Balham site showing the front entrance. Image Credit: CIBSE

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 28 August 2024

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