The British Council for Offices (BCO) is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector. The BCO recognises that offices don’t just house companies, they hold people and so what goes on inside them is paramount to workplace wellbeing.

BCO recently commissioned research that will offer advice to BCO members on how to determine their appropriate office density in the near future, and to inform the future versions of the BCO’s Guide to Specification1 and Guide to Fit-Out.2

The report looks at:

• Review of the impact of high densities

• Impact of density on office occupants

• Changing work patterns and occupancy levels

• Future office densities

• Relevant office density metrics

• Recommendations for the BCO guidance.

The findings indicate 1:10m2 workplace density PP, with 80% utilisation is the sweet spot. Other sections refer to 1:10m2 PP at 70% utilisation, +/- 10%.

This will be informing BCO Guide updates.

If you are a member, you can download the report free or find out more about joining the BCO here