Thirdway for GKN Automotive

We were appointed by the design and build company, Thirdway Interiors, to assist and certify an office fit-out of the 2nd floor of the Nova North building at Victoria, London, for their client, GKN Automotive. The client aspired to achieve a SKA Silver Rating.

The space occupied one floor of the building and, as typical with similar design and build fit out projects, had a fast timeframe for design and delivery. We had to get to grips with the design and engage with the team quickly and efficiently to ensure that SKA related sustainability decisions could be integrated effectively without incurring additional cost or delays, and without missing out on timely actions.

The first step was to review design proposals and scope the works against the SKA requirements.

Once the initial review was complete, we disseminated initial scoping and targeting of SKA measures to the team through a design team meeting where specification and evidential requirements for meeting criteria were communicated. This early meeting also provided room for exploration of additional measures required to safeguard a Silver rating, as well as opportunities to “design out waste” through design, reuse and site practices.

To facilitate engagement with all project team members in designing out waste, a google doc was circulated for completing the exercise. Some great examples of waste reduction through design were targeting reuse of over half of the ductwork and related insulation from strip-out, and giving back removed ceiling tiles to the landlord for reuse as spares elsewhere in the building.

We worked with all material and services sub-contractors to understand the scope of each trade’s package and the issues available to work with and reduce environmental impact and support occupant wellbeing.

Because of the fast pace of the project, we carried out bi-weekly site visits to keep track of progress (materials procurement, energy and water, waste etc) during the construction/Handover stage. This strategy made evidencing simpler and gave the construction team the opportunity to ask questions and point out sustainability initiatives they had enacted.

Economic Value

• The client achieved deeper value by hiring us and combining team up-skilling along the assessment journey.

Social

• Up-skilled in sustainability the supply chain and numerous sub-contractors through on-site support and workshops.
• Local sub-contractors were used.
• Responsible sourcing through selected suppliers and their supply chains.
• Occupant wellbeing measures were targeted through the assessment process.

Environmental

• High energy efficiency of light fittings and HVAC design.
• All timber was responsibly sourced.
• High number of materials were environmentally certified or came with an EPD.
• Strip out furniture was partially re-used, and items not wanted by the client were donated.
• Ceiling tiles and existing light fittings were given back to the landlord.
• 98% of waste was diverted from landfill and there was strong work to reduce its creation through design decisions.