Office Design & Fit Out Glossary
Key industry terminology
Agile Working are specific working models such as activity-based working where there are no assigned ‘seats’ but team members move throughout the space during the course of the day in accordance with their spatial needs such as collaborative ‘pods’, standard desks, meetings, workshops etc.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) - a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole life cycle. As part of this process, a coordinated digital description of every aspect of the built asset is developed, using a set of appropriate technology. It is likely that this digital description includes a combination of information-rich 3D models and associated structured data such as product, execution and handover information.
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). This rating system has become the world’s primary sustainability assessment.
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) design is a holistic economic, industrial and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not only efficient but also essentially waste free.
A Category A (CAT A) fit out results in a space that has Mechanical engineering plumbing (waste out and water in). For more on this topic see our detailed guide to CAT A vs CAT B and other types of office space
A Category A+ (CAT A+) is a generic fit out undertaken by the landlord which includes facilities such as teapoint and toilets as well as some meeting rooms. These types of office spaces are often sufficient for small or start up companies or organisations who need flexibility and short term commitment to a space therefore avoiding the cost of design and fit out. They generally will lack personalisation but there are ways this can be added.
A Category B (CAT B) fit out is a designed space tailor-made to suit the occupant, from custom features to branded finishes – down to the plants and accessories.
Construction Specification Institute (CSI) - founded in 1948. It is a national association that focuses on the standards and protocols for the construction of buildings.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - consists of attending talks and seminars from suppliers and staying up to date with new product developments in the Design and building industry.
Delivery and Install (D&I) - the delivery and installation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
Acoustic test results are expressed as decibels (dB) of sound reduction, how much the product reduces the transmission of sound between rooms. The higher the dB rating the more sound reduction the partition will perform.
Disability Discrimination Act Compliant (DDA Compliant). The DDA is a law to protect anyone with a disability. The DDA defines disability as “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”.
Replacing the fossil fuel energy sources currently being used (such as coal, oil/petroleum, and natural gas) with energy sources that emit far less carbon dioxide (such as wind, solar, and nuclear energy).
Environmental Product Declaration (EDP) - a standardised way of communicating information about the environmental impact of a product.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - a government document that outlines the impact of a proposed project on its surrounding environment.
The carbon footprint of a building or infrastructure project before it becomes operational. It also refers to the CO₂ produced maintaining the building and eventually demolishing it, transporting the waste, and recycling it.
Furniture Fixtures and Equipment (FFE) - everything that goes into the design of the space to make it both functional and stylish.(Can include Furnishings, Artwork, Window Treatment, Furniture, Accessories, Rugs, Mats, White goods, Plants and Planters)
Flexible Working is the adaptation of the traditional 9-5 can be adapted to accommodate a better work/life balance could involve compressed hours, irregular hours, part time work.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) - promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests
If your space has been recently fitted out or built then a set of floor plans should be in existence. Floor plans are the key to being able to plan space more formally referred to as a GA or ‘General arrangement..’ of space.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It prevents work-related death, injury and ill health. HSE is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions.
A philosophy of thinking that places the user/people experience at the centre of the solution
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) - indoor conditions in a building related to the health of those who occupy it. IEQ includes factors such as lighting, air quality, and damp conditions.
Joints Tribunal Contract (JCT) - produces standard forms of contract for construction, guidance notes and other standard documentation for use in the construction industry in the United Kingdom
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - A Green building rating system for all building types and all building phases including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance and core and shell.
Light Reflectance Value (LBV) in architecture, light reflectance value, is a measure of visible and usable light that is reflected from a surface when illuminated by a light source.