Summertown Interiors settling in with personal and LEED challenges
07/10/2009
We have now all settled into our new office showroom and have become comfortable, overcoming teething problems of an unfamiliar environment.
We have each found our own system and habits enabling us to work productively, as it is the familiar and daily rituals that enable us to work efficiently. The fresh feeling that accompanies a new environment also leaves staff a little vulnerable as things are awkward and uncomfortable; simple things as learning how to use the new phones, presentation screen, conference room TV and new technology or suddenly working alone in a private office as opposed to having a group of people around you, or having people around you when previously you had more privacy takes time to overcome, however, eventually new habits and comfort zones are created and after a couple of months you cannot even remember the old offices any longer. But one thing we do remember and that is the journey to reach this point. Being the FIRST LEED Gold compliant office interiors within our industry is no small achievement and brings us great pride as it also encourages us to follow a greener lifestyle elsewhere. But like any successful journey there were many challenges along the building process.
Our main LEED challenges:
Sourcing of green materials. Not all LEED certified products could be found in the local market and through market research as well as our strong and close connections with existing suppliers we were pointed in the right direction. Eventually many of the products had to be sourced overseas. Selection of light fittings to bring the lighting load to the required LEED standards. Close cooperation was required between our Interior Designers and our Lighting supplier Inlite to come to an optimum solution taking into consideration the LEED requirements, the interior design, the budget, and the functionality. Recycle content information on products. In accordance with the LEED rating system many of the products and materials must have a high recycle content which must be substantiated through documentation. For suppliers and agents to provide this type of information was difficult. To obtain this information we had to follow up and follow through with our suppliers right to the source of the product of the entity that manufactured the products to obtain the documentation on the recycle content of the products or the raw materials used in the final product. Documentations for USGBC submission. Every step of the fit-out execution process had to be documented, through photographs and supporting documents. In addition we had to provide proof and certificates for all the raw materials and products used in terms of recycle content, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content, and the use of raw materials from rapidly renewable resources. All the information was collected and compiled for USGBC submission. Education of Summertown Design and Project execution team on LEED requirements. We started with an awareness training program after which we build our knowhow and knowledge base by working closely together with a USGBC certified LEED consultant. Construction waste management. We developed and implemented a construction and waste management plan quantifying materials diversion goals as we could not dispose of it to a landfill. We either re-used the waste generated at site or re-sold it to a third party. (For private viewing please call 8053300)