London Offices Fit-Out Guide
FAQs Considering sustainability during Fit-out Edition: v1.0
FAQs
Making your space sustainable This document sign-posts occupiers who want to use the fit-out process to create a space that is energy efficient, considerate of employee and visitor wellbeing, and expresses the occupier’s own commitment to creating a sustainable future by prioritising sustainable design and fit-out solutions. We have provided FAQs to outline processes or sources of information that can facilitate decision making or further discussion.
What are some basics that I can consider? Aligning to recognised procurement standards such as the FSC for timber helps to ensure that products are sourced from trusted suppliers. Communicating with contractors to guarantee no energy-consuming equipment installed is below an agreed energy efficiency label (A+++ to D) can also help. You could show your commitment to tackling modern slavery by sourcing products provided by organisations who have clear modern slavery statements. LED-lighting is a great place to start as well as an optimised waste bin layout to encourage recycling.
What do I do with my old materials or furniture? Before throwing out your old material or furniture, have you thought of repurposing them for your existing space, reusing them or even utilising materials in an engaging art piece? If this isn’t possible, we work with charity partners in each of our communities who might benefit from donations of old materials or furniture. We can help you to connect with these local partners to explore opportunities to rehome items. This gives your unwanted furniture or material a second lease on life instead of going to waste and can help with any social value programmes you may run. See the section below for links to such companies. When looking at new products and furniture, look out for companies with take-back schemes so that manufacturers can reuse or repurpose their products.
London Offices Fit-Out Guide
How do I improve employee wellbeing during the fit-out? There are several easy ways to give your employees the best opportunity to live a healthy life. Ergonomic furniture (sit-stand desk, laptop stands, adjustable chairs) is key to reducing the risks of musculoskeletal problems, amongst many other things. We would also strongly recommend that, if operating a hot desking model, each employee is provided with adequate storage such as lockers. We spend 90% of our time indoors so ensuring that you maintain good air quality indoors is important. Low Volatile Organic Compound (Low-VOC) paints and finishes should be specified to avoid potentially harmful or irritable gases from entering the space. Plants are very effective at cleaning the air and introducing them in your fit out will also help connect your employees to nature which is proven to have positive mental health benefits. Finally, installing air quality sensors is an effective way of tracking good air quality and communicating this to your staff.
What to look out for when sourcing materials?
How to I choose a fit-out contractor that delivers sustainable solutions?
To minimise the carbon emissions associated with the extraction, manufacture and transport of materials, use products with high recycled content wherever possible. Procuring materials from responsible sources is also important and there are certification schemes to demonstrate this. These include BES6001, ISO14001 and FSC/PEFC for timber. For full guidance, we recommend following the BREEAM responsible sourcing guidelines. We would recommend sourcing as many materials with Environmental Product Declarations as possible to encourage transparency on the environmental impacts of construction products.
Always prioritise a contractor with an Environmental Management System and if this is not possible, a suitable system must be in place for identifying and managing significant environmental risks. You should request a Resource Efficiency Plan. You should look to set targets for the waste generated on site. Fit-out contractors could also be engaged to take on candidates through Landsec’s community employment programme, which works with local charities to support people facing barriers into sustainable work. This includes young people, prison leavers, people who have experienced homelessness or long-term unemployment. Contractors could provide meaningful opportunities such as work experience, apprenticeships or entry level jobs, helping to create social impact throughout the process.
How do I reduce energy consumption?
Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us.
Try upgrading inefficient lighting types to LEDs or connecting lighting to motion controls which will minimise the amount of time lights are left on in unoccupied areas. Perhaps consider replacing energy intensive equipment to more efficient units, for example, white goods such as fridges with high energy rating labels (ideally A+) should replace existing units. An energy review can help identify a full list of measures that can be implemented. This review will help build the business case for implementing changes by highlighting costs and the potential for savings.
We are keen to collaborate with customers on all sustainability initiatives. Please contact: sustainability@landsec.com
More info — Read more about energy labelling guidance here. — BREEAM Responsible Sourcing Guidelines: Responsible Sourcing in BREEAM | BREEAM — About environmental product declarations: The EPD | EPD International (environdec.com) — Reyooz An ethical and sustainable clearance service. As part of the service, you will receive your very own photographic inventory and an impact report showing you the carbon you’ve saved and the social impact your furniture is having in the community. Visit reyooz.com/clients or email hello@reyooz.com to find out more
Land Securities Group PLC 100 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL +44 (0)20 7413 9000
landsec.com