Welcome

Review: Sustainable Workplace Solutions - 9 July 2008

9 July 2008 at Deloitte and afterwards at Speechly Bircham, New Street Sq, London EC4.

Introduced by:
Christina Sigliano, Deputy VP Programmes

Speakers:
Will Esplen, Deloitte
Tim Raper, Speechly Bircham
Moderator: Paul Scrivener, MCM Architecture

The trend towards ‘green’ continues inexorably - some examples more genuine than others. CoreNet’s UK Chapter was invited to see how New Street Square, a Land Securities development and one of the greenest in central London, and two of the occupiers are living up to the dream.

Paul Scrivener, moderating, outlined the two projects - one for professional services firm Deloitte and the other for London law firm Speechly Bircham - on a site rated BREEAM excellent, where 20% less concrete was used in construction, that 93% of demolition materials have been reused, that the energy consumption is 66% of that of similar conventional buildings, and that all the timber used in the construction is from certifiable sources. What is now important he said, is to maintain the standard. He also pointed out that there is still more we can do. For example, part of New Street Square had a CAT A fit-out which is wasteful and against good sustainable development principles. Paul is putting a challenge to our industry: make shell and core the norm rather than the exception to the rule.

Will Esplen, summarising four years’ work in his allotted 10 minutes, described the redevelopment of Deloitte’s campus in central London. From seven buildings totalling 700,000 sq ft containing 6,200 staff, spread over midtown, the firm now occupies five neighbouring buildings and accommodates 7,500 staff in the same overall space. Car parking has largely been replaced by cycle parking with shower and changing facilities, increasing the green agenda. The new building has been a catalyst for cultural change, the reinvention of environmental policies and working practices. The energy consumption has been reduced significantly.

Tim Raper, explaining Speechly’s move into 6 New Street Square, noted that the choice of New Street Square has led to a major change - from cellular offices to open plan, traditionally perceived as an alien environment for lawyers - achieved with the buy-in of the partners. Another change has been from departmental to sector working. A clever choice of furniture, the introduction of headsets and quiet rooms, all new technology and the use of materials from sustainable sources in the UK and Europe has led to a new working environment which has been well accepted. Collaboration works!

Having heard the story over 60 CoreNet members and guests were able to see the result, touring both buildings, before completing the successful evening with drinks and networking.