What is a Wi-Fi-first design and how can it enable a more sustainable workplace?
As part of its drive toward a more sustainable future, the built environment is embracing a digital transformation. Cundall’s IT and AV team has been working to refine what modern connectivity looks like in a truly intelligent building. Their “Wi-Fi-First Approach”, which prioritises robust wireless networks over traditional hard-wired infrastructure, is changing the way Cundall designs systems for clients worldwide.
Cundall’s Wi-Fi first approach challenges the concept of traditional office fit-outs, which rely heavily on structured cabling with fixed data outlets at every workstation. Instead, Cundall’s approach embraces a shift toward mobile, flexible and device-agnostic workplaces by designing wireless networks as the primary means of connectivity.
This contributes to a smarter, more sustainable workplace by minimising fixed cabling to only what is essential, reducing material use and embodied carbon, and enabling adaptable workspaces that support hybrid working. It also ensures resilience through the latest high-performance Wi-Fi technology, Wi-Fi 7, alongside wireless access points and intelligent network design.
Wi-Fi-first design in real life
Nowhere is this Wi-Fi-first philosophy more clearly demonstrated than at Cundall’s brand new headquarters at Bank House in Newcastle. By implementing the strategy in their own space, the IT and AV team led by example to give clients confidence that the approach works in real-world conditions.
When it was deployed at Bank House, the team:
• Minimised structured cabling to only what was essential, dramatically reducing the amount of copper and plastic compared to traditional fit-outs.
• Designed for seamless connectivity to support uninterrupted roaming, high bandwidth and low latency.
• Implemented a cost and carbon comparison to review the impacts of technological capability, embodied carbon impact, costs of all materials and systems used. Based on this analysis, scalable systems were introduced that can adapt as technologies evolve to minimise the impact of future technological advancements in terms of cost and disruption.
Lessons learned
Having a Wi-Fi-first office allows Cundall to walk clients through a live, functioning example and demonstrate that the practice doesn’t just recommend sustainable digital infrastructure – it actively uses it. It also enabled the team to continuously monitor and improve the design of their own office, allowing them to apply learning to future projects.
The team created a robust design through Wi-Fi mapping to ensure coverage was achieved prior to installation. System performance was then verified through testing, ensuring the Wi-Fi first approach achieved the desired technological outcomes.
The design process included detailed design of both Wi-Fi and flood-wired structured cabling approaches for clear evaluation and parity.
Cundall's research and practical experience in implementing both Wi-Fi and flood-wired structured cabling allowed the team to analyse the impact on business, capabilities to operate the demands of different software and hardware systems, and the lost time in disconnecting and reconnecting to networks when roaming within floor plates or between buildings.
Strong engagement with the supply chain enabled the collection of science-based, verifiable embodied carbon data. This evidence-driven approach resulted in transparent and reliable carbon comparison across all systems.
Wi-Fi-first on a global scale
Cundall’s IT and AV team are seeing a global trend for workplace design that is hybrid and flexible, enables device mobility and the growth of smart building systems, and can work in adaptable, reconfigurable spaces. All this alongside a demand for sustainable design that facilitates a reduction in materials and, by extension, carbon.
The Wi-Fi-first approach is a resilient, flexible, low-carbon digital infrastructure solution that is now being replicated across projects worldwide. As the team continues to refine the approach, they are helping to create buildings that are better prepared for a wireless, intelligent future.
This article is part of Cundall's Zero Carbon Deep Dive series, showcasing the practical steps we are taking to embed Zero Carbon Design 2030 across our projects.
