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
Paul Anderson, programme director for infrastructure outsourcing at Capgemini, said the launch of the new Merlin data centre aims to set a new standard for sustainability and energy efficiency in the UK.

He commented: "In regards to business, for elements of sustainability and greening there can be massive savings and it will bring down the scale of their overall carbon footprint."

Mr Anderson added that the firm focused very closely on sourcing during the design and build phase of the centre, ensuring that all materials were sourced from local, sustainable sites.

According to Computing.co.uk, the Environment Agency plans to use the Capgemini data centre upon its opening in order to benefit from the energy-efficient savings that the building will offer.

Overall, two modules at the Capgemini centre will be dedicated to the government department.

Posted by Ian Johnson
 

]]> Morgan Lovell
Euan Murray, general manager of the Carbon Trust Footprinting Company, said this type of investment can have real benefits for businesses, although this should always be coupled with seeking advice from experts on which are the best areas to focus.

He commented: "More businesses are starting to think and act on their carbon footprint and energy emissions, helping them both meet standards for environmental best practice and save on the costs of energy."

Mr Murray added, however, that firms should always be wary of claims by manufacturers and ensure that any energy-efficiency statements are backed up with robust evidence.

The Carbon Trust Footprinting Company was set up by the Carbon Trust in 2007 as the Carbon Label Company but changed its name in 2009.

It aims to help businesses measure, reduce and communicate the greenhouse gas emissions of their services, as well as being a point of contact for consumers hoping to lower their carbon output.

Posted by Ian Johnson
 

]]> Morgan Lovell
Capgemini's new Merlin data centre in Swindon is set to be used by EA upon its opening on September 17th, eWeek Europe reports.

The development achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent at the design stage with an overall score of 75.78 per cent, making it one of the most sustainable buildings of its type in the UK.

Also known as DC1, the facility employs a broad range of environmentally-friendly features, with a reduction of 92 per cent in the amount of energy used for cooling at the site when compared with other conventional data centres.

"Driving out dirty battery-based UPS systems as part of Merlin's approach to electrical efficiency is something which the industry should have addressed long ago," eWeek Europe claims the company said.

Capgemini offers a range of services, including consulting, technology and outsourcing. It presently employs approximately 95,000 people in North America, Europe and Asia and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Posted by Ian Johnson
 

]]> Morgan Lovell
Small and medium-sized businesses attempting to make their operations and workplaces greener have been joining the Prince's Mayday Network in large numbers, its marketing manager has told Business Green.

Lauren Sandwell explained that although the body was initially created with assistance from large companies, smaller bodies are now joining and driving up growth.

It was launched by the Prince of Wales and has witnessed a leap in registration of 87 per cent within a year, despite the impact of the economic downturn on firms, with over 2,850 enterprises now members.

Those looking to create green office design may also be interested in the fact that the Mayday Network has produced an online guide to ways in which businesses can monitor and cut their carbon emissions.

Founded in 2007, the Mayday Network aims to tackle climate change and resource depletion by developing better ways of working.

Posted by Ian Johnson
 

]]> Morgan Lovell
The new building - known as DC1 - achieved a sustainable design score of 75.78 per cent, which will make it one of the greenest data centres in the UK when it is completed, eWeek Europe reports.

 

Guy Marsden of Highbridge Properties told the publication: "We have estimated that by designing and building DC1 to BREEAM Excellent standard, energy use can be cut by more than half compared to a conventional new build facility."

Elsewhere, the Empress Park development in Haydock recently received £4 million from the European Regional Development Fund for the creation of new office space.

To date, 72,000 sq ft of the development has already achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent.

Posted by Ian Johnson

]]> Morgan Lovell
The Opus 40 Business Park is set to benefit from the building of an additional 260,000 sq ft of office space, with the new premises being constructed to reach BREEAM Excellent standard for sustainability, the Birmingham Post reports.

Managing director of Opus Land Richard Smith said: "The master plan for the new space includes four separate buildings ranging from 30,000 sq ft to 80,000 sq ft in size - although larger design and build requirements of in excess of 100,000 sq ft could be accommodated."

Coventry-based Bromwich Hardy and GVA Grimley have been appointed as joint agents for the site.

Elsewhere, a new £30 million office project was recently announced for St Helens. The Empress Park development will deliver up to 120,000 sq ft of office space for local businesses and is set to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating once completed.

Posted by Paul Kelly

]]> Morgan Lovell
Taking place on August 12th, the organisation will be highlighting some of the key issues that companies and authorities face when implementing BREEAM requirements.

Over the course of the seminar, a range of topics will be discussed including how to meet local environmental planning requirements, an overview of BREEAM Buildings, BREEAM Communities and the Code for Sustainable Homes, as well as helping firms understand the financial burden of adhering to BREEAM guidelines.

Furthermore, implications for developers and advice on using BREEAM as a negotiating tool with planners will also be covered.

Meanwhile, Jim Smith, senior executive of Digital Realty Trust, recently stated that the BREEAM ruling regarding the improvement of energy efficiency for data centres across the UK is a positive step for organisations and will go a long way to boosting sustainability.

Posted by Ian Johnson

]]> Morgan Lovell
Don Jordison, managing director at investment solutions firm Threadneedle, said the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme acts as a benchmark for environmentally-aware companies.

He said: "Owners will now be in a position to know how to design, build, refurbish and manage their properties to be as energy efficient as possible."

According to Mr Jordison, enterprises have been considering their power consumption as a fixed cost for too long, explaining it should really be thought of as a variable expense.

Now that these guidelines are in place and there is a legislative framework to follow, the industry will cope well with the changes, he added.

Launched in April, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is a mandatory initiative under which companies must purchase carbon allowances, with all of the money generated being redistributed to participants that produce the lowest emissions.

Posted by Ian Johnson

]]> Morgan Lovell
According to the organisation, the property is due to meet a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) standard of 'Excellent'.

Sustainable office design features include rainwater harvesting methods, a sedum roof and photovoltaic and solar thermal renewable energy systems.

There will also be air-source heat-pump technology, with WHG saying the 4,000 sq m structure's BREEAM rating will be "a testament" to its environmentally-friendly achievements.

Chair of the group Fred Bell said the project is "very exciting" for his company and the town itself.

"It will be a real landmark building in the borough and we are proud that it will be the first office to be built in the new Walsall Office Corridor," he remarked.

In May, WHG revealed the construction of the office was back on track after initial concerns over a lack of funding from Advantage West Midlands would derail the scheme.

Posted by Ian Johnson

]]> Morgan Lovell
This is the opinion of Jim Smith, senior executive of Digital Realty Trust, who told the Register the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ruling is a boost for organisations working within the industry.

"Sustainability is important to our brand position," he remarked. "All the things in the standard have a net present positive value, a payback period."

According to Mr Smith, his company is aiming to have all of its operations running to BREEAM standards in the UK and internationally.

Clients are aware of going green and the bigger the enterprise the more concerned it will be with making sure its goods and services do not make a significant impact on the environment, he added.

When the scheme was announced, the specialist commented his business was the first to achieve a BREEAM award of 'Excellent' for a data centre in Europe.

Posted by Ian Johnson

]]> Morgan Lovell BREEAM's Outstanding accreditation for its sustainability.

Named the Wuhan Energy Flower and designed by Dutch company Grontmij, the structure will feature a 120 metre central solar and ventilation chimney and it will have zero carbon emissions, Property Wire reports.

Furthermore, the building will incorporate vertical wind turbines, with the developers hoping the property will be 100 per cent energy independent.

"We took our inspiration from nature itself for this innovative building design. The collective influence of sun, wind and water are integrated into the design of the flower-shaped building," commented Gert Dral, Grontmij Group director of planning and design.

Back in the UK, the winner of the most sustainable office project of the year for Wales was recently announced.

The winner for 2010 was Ceredigion County Council offices, which will become the new home for back room staff of the Welsh Assembly Government, Green Building News reported.

Posted by Ian Johnson.

]]> Morgan Lovell
According to the Re-thinking 2050 study by the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), the use of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sector could rise dramatically from predicted levels of 21 per cent in 2020.

Furthermore, New Builder reported that carbon emissions could be reduced by more than 90 per cent by switching to wholesale renewable energy by 2050 and in order to achieve this lofty aim, wind and photovoltaic energy production will need to be stepped up.

The report was published following consultations with McKinsey, Imperial College London and Oxford Economics.

Ongoing projects by the EREC include the Smart-e Buildings initiative, the New4Old scheme - that looks to boost penetration of renewable energy sources - and Energy Union that aims to make intelligent energy use an issue for young people in 12 EU countries.

Posted by Ian Johnson.

]]> Morgan Lovell BREEAM ratings in Wales.

The project achieved a grade of Excellent and will house up to 650 staff when finished, New Builder reports.

It will take approximately 16 months to complete and will incorporate natural ventilation and passive cooling techniques to keep down carbon emissions.

David Williams of Austin-Smith:Lord explained: "One of the challenges faced by the architect was to reconcile the modern form with the use of traditional materials in order to respect the heritage of the area."

Llandudno Junction will form the main home of the Welsh Assembly Government's backroom staff when completed, with a host of departments moving into the site.

These will include health & social services; social justice & local government; environment, sustainability & housing; corporate information & services; public service & performance and human resources.

Posted by Ian Johnson.

]]> Morgan Lovell BREEAM Awards in Wales have been announced and include an office in Aberystwyth.

It took place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells last week, with the office award going to Ceredigion County Council offices that house 410 staff, Green Building News reports.

Jane Davidson, minister for the environment, sustainability and housing for the Welsh Assembly Government, hosted the event, which focused on key areas of sustainability in construction, including energy use, waste management, ecology, health and wellbeing, pollution, transport and water use.

The winner was designed by Powell Dobson and built by Willmott Dixon Construction.

Elsewhere, firms hoping to make their own premises as environmentally friendly as possible might like to head along to the Green Intelligent Office seminar
on sustainable office design being held by Morgan Lovell on July 7th.

It will take place at the Pinnacle Building on Station Way in Crawley, West Sussex and will start at 08:30 BST and last for approximately two hours.

Posted by Ian Johnson.

]]> Morgan Lovell
In total, the property cost £22.2 million and was constructed by Middlewich-based property firm Pochin.

Situated at Llandudno Junction, Welsh assembly staff are expected to move into the new premises over the summer.

Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones said: "This office is an investment in the long term and will bring sustained benefits to north Wales."

He also praised the building's environmental standards after it achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent.

The Welsh Assembly Government was set up in 1999 as part of the devolution of powers from Westminster to Wales which allowed for some laws and the legislative process to be handled by Welsh ministers.

It was further strengthened in 2006 by the Government of Wales Act, which allows Welsh ministers to make Welsh laws - known as Assembly Measures.

Posted by Ian Johnson.


]]> Morgan Lovell
The BRE Trust, which operates the BREEAM assessment method for buildings, has published research showing that many projects undertaken in the public sector do not significantly reduce the consumption of energy.

Figures compiled in the study were drawn from the Display Energy Certificates of around 28,000 public sector buildings, including job centres, academies and schools.

Principal sustainability consultant for BRE Jon Mussett says: "Energy used in public buildings accounts for four per cent of the UK's carbon emissions.

"Design standards are improving, but we need to demonstrate that this is resulting in improved building performance."

The BRE Trust suggests that its own BREEAM method of assessment provides inspiration to building operators to find new ways to save energy, as well as recognition within the market for buildings with a low environmental impact.

Posted by Ian Johnson.

]]> Morgan Lovell
Clive Bull, partner of Cushman & Wakefield, said sustainable office design is going to become a more talked about issue in the future and will become more popular with firms, as clients' call for assurances that businesses are doing all they can to tackle climate change.

He commented: "As we come out of [recession], these green issues will become more important and sustainability and everything else will start coming to the fore."

According to the Climate Change Act of 2008, the government aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and has signed up to a legally-binding contract to this effect.

It also signed up to a shorter-term target of a 34 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020 - with both of these targets in comparison to 1990 baseline levels.


]]> Morgan Lovell
Business 7 reported Sky's Talent Hub is likely to achieve a BREEAM rating of Very Good, as the structure boasts sustainable office design features including cycle shelters, low energy lighting, water conservation and partial natural ventilation.

Jim Mather, minister for enterprise, energy and tourism, officially opened the facility and said: "The opening of Sky's Talent Hub is a welcome boost for West Lothian's economy in this challenging economic climate."

The development has been created to help support the broadcaster's call centre operations.

Elsewhere, the Peak office interior development in London's Victoria recently opened.

Devono reported the development offers 78,000 sq ft of modern office design space, while the ground floor of the property has already been let to HBOS, with other areas of the building being devoted to retail.


]]> Morgan Lovell
The modern office design space of the premises recently achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent and the judges noted this was one of the deciding factors in their decision.

Innovation Centre beat stiff competition for the award from Hope Street Hotel and the Port of Liverpool building.

Business development director Chloe Young commented: "Our innovation cluster provides fit-for-purpose, high-specification facilities and services for science and technology companies. It establishes Liverpool as an important location for the commercial knowledge sector."

Elsewhere, research carried out by Abbey and Alliance & Leicester Business Banking recently showed 80 per cent of businesses have made efforts to ensure all IT equipment is switched off when not in use, while 59 per cent have switched to using low-energy light bulbs - highlighting the efforts many companies are going to in order to improve sustainable office design.


]]> Morgan Lovell sustainable office design is needed, it has been argued.

Daily Commercial News reported the three main assessments at present are LEED in the US, Canada and Brazil, BREEAM in the UK, Netherlands and Hong Kong and DGNB of Germany.

The publication argued a single set of green building guidelines would help businesses achieve a standardised result in their sustainable office design and could also lead to a better understanding of national standards of sustainability in terms of building methods and results.

As an answer to this, the Sustainable Building Alliance is attempting to set up an international standard that incorporates the ideals of these three major assessment tools.

Elsewhere, the World Green Building Council (WGBC) recently invited BREEAM to become a full member of the organisation.

Martin Wyatt, chief executive of the BRE Group, the developers of BREEAM, said: "We are delighted to be invited to join the WGBC and welcome this move towards inclusiveness and partnership."


]]> Morgan Lovell
The study showed 80 per cent of businesses have made efforts to ensure all IT equipment is switched off when not in use, while 59 per cent have switched to using low-energy light bulbs.

Paula Ickinger, head of business banking marketing at Abbey and Alliance & Leicester, said: "There are 1.5 million small businesses in the UK, so it is very encouraging to find that so many of them have taken steps to reduce the environmental impact of their operations, in some cases at great expense."

Elsewhere, Earth 911 recently advised businesses undergoing an office relocation to take into account sustainable office design while doing so.

The organisation claimed the most important issue is ensuring the new property a firm is moving to has good environmental credentials, as this will provide the best long-term results.


]]> Morgan Lovell office relocation project is carried out in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Earth 911 reported firms should always look to ensure the property they are moving into offers could green credentials, with sustainable office design key to reducing their impact on the environment over the long term.

Furthermore, businesses should de-clutter and not use cardboard boxes to carry out the move. Instead, they should use reusable bags or totes to transport equipment and paperwork. In that way, firms will not be left with lots of battered old boxes to dispose of after the move.

Meanwhile, the Birmingham Post recently claimed the city is at the forefront of sustainable office design in the UK.

The publication noted Colmore Plaza has had its BREEAM accreditation improved from Very Good to Excellent now that it has become partially occupied - a promising development for future environmentally-friendly projects in the region.


]]> Morgan Lovell sustainable office design rating scheme BREEAM.

Named the Ska Rating, the environmental tool will incorporate three stages of assessment: design/planning; delivery/construction; and post-occupancy.

Businesses will be awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze ratings depending how well they score in each of these areas.

The aim of the system is to offer a rating alternative for office refurbishment projects, not just from the initial building phase.

It is available free online and was developed by various organisations including Skansen, Aecom, Hurleypalmerflatt, Scott Wilson and Sheppard Robson.

Elsewhere, the World Green Building Council (WGBC) recently invited BREEAM to become a full member of the organisation.

WGBC noted the important role which BREEAM has played in promoting and developing sustainable office design over the last 20 years and, as such, is pleased to make the organisation its only non-Green Building Council member.


]]> Morgan Lovell BREEAM to become a full member of the organisation.

As the only non-Green Building Council organisation asked to become a member of the society, WGBC noted the important role which BREEAM has played in promoting and developing sustainable office design over the last 20 years.

Martin Wyatt, chief executive of the BRE Group, the developers of BREEAM, said: "We are delighted to be invited to join the WGBC and welcome this move towards inclusiveness and partnership."

He added the organisation is now looking forward to working alongside the council to drive up sustainable building standards around the globe.

Elsewhere, architecture business Stride Treglown's new modern office design headquarters in Cardiff were recently awarded a BREEAM rating of Excellent

Sustainable office design features of the development included the use of a biomass boiler, grey-water recycling and natural ventilation, with the firm keen to invest in environmentally friendly technologies throughout.


]]> Morgan Lovell Office interior space in Birmingham is at the forefront of sustainable office design in the UK, it has been claimed.

Local newspaper the Birmingham Post reported Colmore Plaza has had its BREEAM accreditation improved from Very Good to Excellent now that it has become partially occupied.

Mark Harris, director at building owner the Carlyle Group, said: "There is no doubt that this accreditation adds value to current and prospective tenants, as well as complementing the city's aspiration to compete on a national and international level."

He argued that the building is one of only a handful in the country that have achieved an Excellent rating.

Meanwhile, Building magazine recently reported that Belgian property developer Codic has become the first company outside of the UK to be accredited by BREEAM.

The firm's newest development - Access and Bridge - was awarded a Very Good rating by the organisation for its clever use of sustainable office design.


]]> Morgan Lovell