Morgan Lovell's' inspired office interior design and consultancy services will transform your office interiors to places your people want to be. Find out how! en-gb office layout around the UK have been criticised by a number of leading commentators.

Piers Gough, from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, has described the latest proposals from the Home Office as "absolutely idiotic", claiming they will diminish the aesthetic quality of Britain's towns and cities.

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office has launched a project aimed at highlighting to architects the potential importance of making buildings less vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Mr Gough told the Guardian: "We used to be afraid of cars but now it seems to be terrorism. It seems like another way of stopping us living a civilised life."

From this summer, architects responsible for the office design on major public projects will be briefed by government officials on how to incorporate truck-bomb barriers and panic rooms into their plans.

Last week, the government released a document described as a 'National Security Streategy', which highlighted some of the greatest threats to British people, including terrorism and global climate change.


]]> Morgan Lovell LEED) is due to change, it has been claimed.

A writer on the P-I Reader Blog at seattlepi.com has reported that the initiative will be transferred from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

She noted that, since the launch of the professional accreditation initiative in 2001, over 40,000 individuals have gained LEED recognition.

Danielle Johnson said: "GBCI will now be the place to learn about LEED Professional Accreditation, register for the LEED AP Exam, find LEED Accredited Professionals in your area, access your LEED AP exam records, and manage your LEED AP Directory listing."

She added that the USGBC would continue to manage the development of LEED while also providing those interested in the scheme with educational opportunities and other resources.

The USGBC notes that LEED accreditation provides verification from an independent third party that a building project meets the standard of green office design and sustainability.
]]> Morgan Lovell carbon neutral non-domestic buildings, according to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC).

The organisation believes that the timeframe for the adoption of such environmentally-friendly initiatives is "challenging yet achievable".

Chief executive of the UKGBC Paul King states that the government and construction industry both need to take responsibility.

"[The] government needs to accept its responsibility to set good policy focusing on outcomes and in return industry can - and must - respond and innovate. UK-GBC members are up for ambitious targets on sustainability," he explains.

The report, Carbon Reductions on New Non-domestic Buildings, was commissioned by Communities and Local Government and suggests that the additional cost of constructing to carbon neutral standards will be between five and 30 per cent of current baseline costs.

The UKGBC was launched in February 2007 and campaigns for a sustainable built environment.
]]> Morgan Lovell sustainability in Britain under new guidelines.

All school buildings - including ancillary structures such as offices - built in Wales after the start of the current academic year must achieve a rating of excellent under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (Breeam) for schools.

This compares to England's requirement that new build and refurbishment projects must achieve a very good Breeam rating, the Times Education Supplement Cymru notes.

Breeam spokesperson Christina Gulvanessian notes that that to date there is no school structure in the UK that has an excellent rating.

Pupil and staff health and wellbeing are also to be taken into consideration under the new guidelines.

Breeam rates buildings against a range of criteria and provides a score which falls within a band, thus providing a structure with a rating of pass, good, very good or excellent.
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The scheme will demand the buildings reach a number of standards that are based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system, according to Gulf News.

Chairman of the EmiratesGBC Dr Sadek Owainati told the publication that emphasis was being placed on the conservation of water due to the scarcity of the resource in the region as part of alterations to make the scheme more suited to the UAE.

"We have enhanced the system to suit the region ... the sustainability parameters need to be adapted to give better solutions for the future," he added.

According to the publication, the EmiratesGBC aims to have the LEED Emirates rating system sanctioned by this time next year.

Formed in July 2006, the EmiratesGBC aims to promote green building principles to protect the environment and adopt a positive attitude towards sustainability in the UAE.
]]> Morgan Lovell LEED) for Neighbourhood Development programme, it has been reported.

Biscayne Landing, which will comprise some 180,000 sq ft of offices, almost 300,000 sq ft of retail space, over 6,000 residential units and a 200-room hotel, is one of 260 projects accepted into the scheme, according to the Coral Gables Gazette.

The programme took on developments that took a positive attitude towards sustainability through promoting efficient water and energy use and adopting new urbanism and environmentally-friendly ideas as part of design principles.

Kevin Burns, North Miami mayor, told the publication: "The city of North Miami is proud to be the home of the only Miami-Dade County registered project in the LEED for Neighbourhood Development Pilot Programme."

It was recently reported by Greener Buildings that an increasing number of existing structures are undergoing environmentally-friendly revamps under LEED-Existing Buildings guidelines.
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In news that may lead to an increase in the uptake of sustainable office design, the Dormitory Authority will require its new construction projects to be meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines.

Head of the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) New York chapter Fiona Cousins commented that the idea of bringing in such policies is not a new one, but stated that it was a positive move.

David Brown, head of the Dormitory Authority, stated that he did not anticipate much resistance to the project, noting that a number of other agencies have been pursuing similar environmentally-aware projects.

The Dormitory Authority is a state agency that provides funding and construction services to universities and healthcare facilities and currently has over 70 projects in various stages of construction. All its buildings after this number must comply with the new regulations.
]]> Morgan Lovell carbon neutral goods.

InterfaceFLOR has noted the USGBC's creation of an Innovation in Design credit, awarded to commodities used in the construction industry that have no greenhouse gas effects.

President of InterfaceFLOR David Hobbs commented: "The availability of this new credit provides further incentive for manufacturers to reduce the environmental footprint of their products".

"We are pleased that the USGBC has taken this step to ensure recognition for qualified, third-party analysis of products' environmental claims," he added.

The USGBC states that commodities may only qualify for the credit point if certification as carbon neutral is standard for the whole product line. Products that can be identified as carbon neutral at additional cost or those where greenhouse gas offsets only apply to a particular section do not qualify.
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Hazel Blears, secretary of state for communities and local government, has approved the construction of 20 Fenchurch Street - billed the "Walkie Talkie".

Ms Blears' predecessor Ruth Kelly halted the plans last year after Unesco's World Heritage Committee suggested that the Tower of London could be added to its list of endangered sites due to skyscraper construction in the capital.

However, the 36-storey structure - to incorporate offices, shops, cafes and a 'Sky Garden' - will now go ahead.

Commenting, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment stated that the office design "would make a significant contribution to London's architecture".

Chief executive Richard Simmons added: "One of the great strengths of the City's architectural experience comes from the excitement of dramatic contrasts and changes in scale."

Mike Hussey, managing director of Land Securities' London portfolio, said that he anticipated strong interest from prospective occupiers.
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Reports from real estate adviser Jones Lang LaSalle suggests that the office market in Leeds has rapidly increased, with demand for office space leading to greater demand in Yorkshire.

This could lead to growth in office space planning as businesses and firms in the region aim to make best use of commercial property.

Jeff Pearey, head of office agency at Jones Lang LaSalle says that "2007 will see increased demand for office space in the Leeds market from sectors such as law, IT and insurance, which are either outperforming the national employment forecast trend or are subject to corporate change driven by regulation and consolidation".

He adds that more than 50 per cent of 600,000 sq ft has already been committed with remaining supply approaching the 200,000 sq ft mark.

It was recently reported that planning permission for a new business park outside Cardiff had been granted, which could see the creation of up to 100,000 sq ft of office space.
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Overall, some 60 projects have been reviewed by CABE using the new Building for Life design standard.

CABE Space has resulted in local communities being involved in the consultation and design process for 75 projects.

In addition, more projects are being recognised under the prime minister's Better Public Building Award.

Richard Simmons, from CABE, Stated: "Low-quality design is often due to low aspirations. Designed with Care, has targeted clients and contractors and showcased inspiring buildings that are leading the way."

"We believe the same level of aspiration is needed for the Thames Gateway. We are determined that the work we are doing to define a vision and identity for the region will help the Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership to deliver that great future."

CABE is the government's advisor on architecture and design. It aims to raise the standard of building design throughout the UK, as well as raising the profile of sustainable office design .

A high standard of office design can secure a company's future in terms of office space. ]]> Morgan Lovell
Among the plans for change in seven areas put forward by the Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change (CLG) is for businesses to have reduced rates for energy efficient buildings and for firms that embrace office design that reduces carbon emissions.

The CLG claims that taking on such changes would enable UK businesses to "get 'first mover' advantage in new global markets for low-carbon technology", giving the UK a leading position in these new markets.

The letter also outlined a problem facing many businesses wishing to incorporate reductions in emissions into future plans and offices.

It said the CLG was seeking to "address the 'Catch 22' situation in which governments refrain from introducing new policies to reduce emissions because they fear business resistance, while companies find it difficult to take their investments in low carbon solutions to scale because of the lack of long-term climate policies". ]]> Morgan Lovell office design by setting the target of carbon neutral ity for its own offices by 2012.

To meet carbon neutral ity, the government will use a combination of reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy and offsetting the remaining balance of emissions to reach the carbon neutral status.

Tony Blair said: "The government spends £150 billion a year on goods and services.

"Changing the way we spend this money, so it helps prevent climate change and protects our environment, could have a huge impact."

The prime minister added: "We are taking another important step today when it comes to greening government, by committing to make by 2012 the Government office estate carbon neutral and committing to reduce Government's total emissions from buildings by 30 per cent."

It is hoped that savings of 800,000 tonnes of carbon – the equivalent of taking 750,000 cars off the roads – will be achieved.

The recommendations come after a report from the Sustainable Procurement Task Force.

Mr Blair added: "This report points the way forward, and we will look seriously at its recommendations."

Further targets set for 2020 include to recycle 75 per cent of waste, reduce the waste generated by 25 per cent, reduce water consumption by 25 per cent and increase energy efficiency by 30 per cent per square metre. ]]> Morgan Lovell
It certainly appears to be a serious issue and can lead to an uncomfortable office environment that is crammed with noxious green ether.

One instance, reported by chron.com, involved a festive leftover being eaten for an unnaturally long period of time.

Richard Shaw, from a Houston office, observed the habits of one colleague's Thanksgiving sandwich: "It was still there in December. It was just gross-looking. People were watching her gnaw at it."

Another Houston resident took offence at the state of someone's lunch: "There was hair growing. It was alive, and it wasn't meant to be alive," Kathy Fenninger revealed to the same website.

Staff fridges are often tucked away in a disregarded area of an office and many kitchen areas aren't cleaned as regularly as they should be.

A high standard of office design can encourage increased staff efficiency and a greater sense of hygiene. ]]> Morgan Lovell
CABE is now over six years old and the report has been timed to coincide with this landmark.

The report concludes that all designers and public bodies, including the government, need to pay close attention to design and realise the importance of the sector.

Richard Simmons, from CABE, stated: "Over the past year, too often we have seen the drive for good design within organisations coming down to one individual.

"It seems the role of design champions is becoming even more critical as big organisations become more risk averse."

CABE notes in its report that when people are prepared to take a risk with design, it pays off with a forward thinking and modern development.

A high standard of office design can improve the image and productivity of a company. ]]> Morgan Lovell
The Design for London unit, falling under the authority of the mayor of London Ken Livingstone, will include leading experts from the architectural and sustainable design world and be chaired by Lord Rogers, the former director-general of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Mr Livingstone said: "I want London to become a world leader in sustainable urban planning, design and architecture.

"If we are to continue to attract the world's best people and compete for more international investment, then we must adopt and promote the highest standards."

Design for London will try to promote sustainable and world-class design, taking on public spaces and office design and raising awareness of the value of good urban design.

Lord Rogers said: "Cities are competing to be the best, and design lies at the heart of that competition. London is already one of the world's great architectural and design capitals.

"I am delighted to support Design for London, which will help to extend this reputation, as well as taking very practical steps to support better quality buildings and public space in London." ]]> Morgan Lovell office design plans.

The government claims the new rules represent the biggest overhaul of fire safety legislation in decades and bring together the existing 79 pieces of legislation covering fire safety.

The biggest change will be the end of fire certificates.

Instead, firms will have to carry out fire risk assessments, highlighting where risks can be removed or reduced within the workplace and how office design can change to improve safety.

Fire safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "The government's over-riding aim is to save more people from death and injury by reducing risk and preventing fires."

The changes were originally due to be introduced in April, but the government took the decision to extend the deadline to give businesses more time to prepare and make any necessary changes.

The new rules have been welcomed by Norwich Union (NU), but the insurer has called on the government to further publicise the regulations.

Allister Smith, NU property risk manager, said on Friday: "The most crucial aspect of delivering the reform was always going to be good publicity and guidance, to ensure that those not aware of the changes, or even the existing requirements, are brought up to speed.

"Hopefully this much needed communication exercise will be fully underway soon." ]]> Morgan Lovell office design plans could cut firms' electricity bills, a new report has found.

A study by International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted the fact that without change now the amount of energy used for lighting will be 80 per cent higher in 2030 than today.

Claude Mandil, IEA executive director, said: "However, if we simply make better use of today's efficient lighting technologies and techniques, global lighting energy demand need be no greater at that time.

"This important work shows that the potential for energy savings in lighting is simply enormous and can be achieved with technologies that not only are readily available in the market but economically-competitive during the life cycle of the product. Moreover, more efficient lighting also results in lower CO2 emissions."

It is estimated the electricity used by lighting costs $360 billion a year across the world and produces as much in carbon emissions as 70 per cent of the world's cars.

Using energy efficient lighting systems in office design is just one way firms can make a difference to the environment and save money.

"Government and the private sector must grasp the opportunity that energy efficient lighting offers, if we are to attain the clean and competitive economy that we seek," said Mr Mandil. ]]> Morgan Lovell
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell has put forward plans with the construction industry to make sure the games create venues and buildings that will create a "legacy", with design and sustainability high in the list of priorities.

She said: "We can be proud of the wealth of talent and experience within the construction industry in this country. The agreement we have signed today will allow us to capitalise on this expertise to put on an exceptional games that will be the pride of the UK for a generation.

"We are determined to ensure that we have in place the structures to make London 2012 the best games ever, delivered to the highest standards in design"

"I am convinced that we can build inspirational venues for 2012," she added.

It is also hoped that the regeneration of the area around the Olympic park will serve as an example of building design and office design to companies around the UK and the world. ]]> Morgan Lovell
The Scottish Executives Planning Policy on Renewable Energy aims to increase the use of renewable energy to meet the target of 40 per cent of electricity in Scotland to come from renewable sources by 2020.

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said: "Micro-renewables, like solar power and wind turbines and biomass, offer potential for a range of residential, commercial and leisure developments.

"For new developments, we propose that a minimum of ten per cent of their energy needs are met by on-site renewables. Scotland is the first country in the UK to propose such a requirement."

Reduction in energy consumption within workplaces can be encouraged by an office refit along with office building design.

Outside new office buildings in Scotland the sight of mini-turbines and solar panels are, therefore, due to become commonplace.

James McInnes, who lives below a turbine, described how fears of any distractions they cause are unfounded.

He said: "I don't hear it and it's right outside my window. I think it's a good thing, particularly if it reduces the bills.

"We should adopt more of these things, especially if it reduces climate change." ]]> Morgan Lovell
Although British companies improved productivity ahead of France and Germany in 2005, the Proudfoot Productivity Report highlights the fact that for the last three years unproductive labour time in the UK was greater than any country outside Asia.

The effects of operating inefficiencies were calculated to be the same as 36 days of work per worker lost every year.

Simon Glynn, chief operating officer of Proudfoot Consulting said: "It would be easy to view the global productivity increase as cause for celebration in company boardrooms around the world.

"But our report shows there is clear and considerable scope for further productivity improvement. It also shows that executives tend to overestimate efficiency improvement in their companies."

The study highlighted two key areas for improvements: poor internal communication and poor supervision and planning.

Office space planning and office refurbishment can help to bring down losses through inefficiencies in these areas by creating workplaces where communication among staff and management is made easier. ]]> Morgan Lovell office refurbishment plan for the Cabinet Office has led to protests from Greenpeace over the use of illegally logged timber.

Activists scaled Admiralty Arch draping a banner across it to highlight the issue yesterday (July 13th).

The use of the timber from the rainforests of Papua New Guinea (PNG) - in plywood hoarding - highlights the need for those undergoing an office refit to make sure products used meet international standards.

Although the import of the wood is not illegal, some companies in Papua New Guinea are logging against local rules aimed at preserving the rain forests.

Last month, following the discovery of illegal timber in hoarding around the restoration of Nelson's Column, the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) advised members that any wood from Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands should be considered as a "high risk".

TTF chief executive John White said: "The current situation in PNG and the Solomon Islands means there is very little or no material meeting the environmental standards the UK market requires. We therefore believe it best to advise our members accordingly."

The oversight by the government which has a timber policy in place to only use wood from legal and sustainable sources should serve as a warning to those undergoing office refurbishment to ensure materials meet standards.

Greenpeace is calling on the government to ensure it only uses Forest Stewardship Council-certified timber and to bring in legislation to ban the imports of illegal wood. ]]> Morgan Lovell
Despite the high cost, a survey of firms shows 69 per cent place tackling stress low on the agenda and 51 per cent have no measures in place to combat stress.

Suzanne Clarkson, of HSA, which was behind the survey, said: "Stress is not exactly a new phenomenon.

"But when you consider that over half a million people experience work-related stress at a level they believe has actually made them ill it would certainly make sense to acknowledge its potential effects."

She went on to say that it was "worrying" that 63 per cent of company healthcare decision makers stated they did not feel sufficiently familiar with best practice guidelines and did not have any measures in place to help manage stress.

"With this in mind, it might be advisable for companies to start weighing up the cost implications of failing to take a more proactive approach - in terms of not only potential stress-related litigation claims but, arguably more importantly, in terms of the general health and happiness of employees," Ms Clarkson added.

Office design can play a role in reducing stress in the workplace through making communication easier within a firm and creating areas where people can escape from work pressures. ]]> Morgan Lovell
The Welsh Assembly Government is introducing a 25-year transport scheme that will include trying to increase levels of home working in the principality in a bid to reduce road congestion and the environmental impact of driving.

The move follows statistics that show traffic growth in Wales has increased faster than the UK average with the typical Welsh driver travelling 6,000 miles behind the wheel a year 30 per cent of which is driving to work.

Enterprise minister Andrew Davies said on the BBC's Good Morning Wales: "We are looking at encouraging more people to work from home teleworking and teleconferencing."

The change in working patterns should also bring about a change in office design.

With fewer members of staff constantly working in the office, many firms are considering office refurbishment to take advantage of changing work spaces. ]]> Morgan Lovell
Firms are being asked to follow the example of Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi who last summer took off his tie and urged his country's workforce to leave their jackets and ties at home.

Mr Koizumi's move was aimed to reduce the use of air conditioning and cut energy use over the summer.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "We'd like British bosses to work cool and take the Japanese premier's advice and allow their staff to dress down a little for summer.

"Not only will a cool approach to work avoid staff wilting at their desks, it could also save companies money as they should be able to turn down the air con a notch. Arctic-style air conditioning may stop the workplace from becoming like an oven, but its overuse is not good for the environment."

He added that vest tops and shorts were probably not suitable attire for all frontline staff, but suggested those not dealing with the public should be allowed to discard their tights, ties and suits.

"We're calling on bosses to let their staff loosen their collars and cool down while the heatwave continues," he said.

Office design can also play a role in cooling down the office, creating areas within an office where staff can go to cool off and taking advantage of office interior design that uses cooler colours. ]]> Morgan Lovell