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Pinpointing a lack of quality employment opportunities in the vicinity, we proposed a precedent-setting office park that would challenge conventional views of how office environments should look and behave. The scheme, a phased development of 12 buildings, has created a thriving workplace that embraces a philosophy of "Enjoy Work" - putting people, rather than buildings, at the heart of Chiswick Park.

Happy Workers, Better Business

Ensuring employees enjoy their work has gained Chiswick Park widespread recognition and the loyalty of tenants.

Chiswick Park was the first office development in London to embrace the idea that people are more important than bricks and mortar. The logic is simple. If people enjoy work they are more productive. More productive workers lead to a better business. Recognising this, we prioritised people ahead of cars by creating a lake and gardens for all to enjoy in place of a traditional central carpark. A dedicated Lifestyle team was set up to organise events, guest speakers, evening classes and more. The Enjoy Work initiative led to the park being named the UK's Healthiest Workplace in the 2007 Yakult Healthy Workplace Awards.

Invention, Not Convention

Stanhope has challenged traditional thinking to pioneer new building methods.

Industry convention was rejected in several aspects of Chiswick Park's design. The project team incorporated an energy efficient displacement ventilation system - previously not widely used in speculative offices. Questioning the assumption that buildings must be no more than 15 metres deep in order to let in enough natural light, we installed full-height windows - maximising light and giving us the ability to create deeper buildings with larger, more adaptable, floor plans. In addition, we have commissioned research on a new steel composite building system that could cut construction time by up to a third. We will be trialling the system on a future office building at the park.

Room to Move

Chiswick Park tenants value the flexibility of the park environment.

By building a community of similar buildings, rather than individual bespoke offices, we have given tenants greater flexibility to move and grow. Media company Technicolor is one of several businesses that has taken advantage of this. After seven years in the park Technicolor needed more space. But rather than face a costly and time-consuming search for larger offices elsewhere, the company decided to take up an extra 40,000 sq ft in another building within the park. All the buildings have the same landlord, are IT connected, have similar adaptable floor plans and share the common park headline address, making expansion between buildings an attractive option.

Community Approach

Listening to the neighbours allowed us to craft a development that benefits everyone.

Chiswick Park has had a far-reaching impact - promoting local businesses, hosting community events, and initiating environmental, educational and charity programmes. The development has created thousands of jobs and given local retail a lift. Community initiatives include a work experience scheme for Chiswick Community School students, renovation of a derelict pavilion at Duke Meadows into artist studios and the provision of finance and expertise to help Acton High School create a state-of-the-art IT learning centre. Work is being done in partnership with Ealing and Hounslow councils to improve the site's accessibility, with improvements including an upgrade of Gunnersbury Station, new bus routes and pedestrian and cycle access through Chiswick Park.

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