Sumitomo

Sumitomo were required by the Landlord to assess the environmental impacts of their fit-out and positively impact and maintain the building’s overall performance. The CBRE environmental policy requirements outlined in the Vintners Place Occupiers Fit-out Guide had a BREEAM assessment request, but after the value and results of SKArating were outlined to the management agents, it was accepted as the suitable environmental assessment for the office project.

Grigoriou Interiors were invited to advise on and assess Sumitomo’s new office fit-out project under the SKArating for Offices environmental assessment scheme by DMG, who were selected as the Design & Build project partner.

Sumitomo Corporation have a global Net Zero and sustainability related mission and commitment to reducing environmental and social impacts as an ongoing action.

DMG were new to environmental assessments but deeply committed to doing the right thing and learning what sustainability looks like in practice. They committed to designing and delivering the project to a SKA Gold rating from the start.

The project commitments given by DMG to Sumitomo run across all pillars of Sustainability; in addition to the environmental impact reductions, they also were committed to delivering a highly aesthetically impacting interior design, one that supported occupant comfort and wellbeing, and they also had to deliver the project in a tight timeframe and fixed budget.

Our involvement was through a personal recommendation.

In the UK, approximately 26% of environmental impact and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the construction sector. This highlights the importance of implementing practical and effective sustainable tools to reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. The SKArating assessment has proven to be one of the most effective tools as it is specifically designed for fit-out projects in across sectors, including Office, Retail, and Higher Education.

Our use of the SKArating scheme for Sumitomo’s new office workspace delivered against the national and corporate goals. The scheme has inherent drivers through the criteria and the higher the rating a project achieves, the lower the environmental impact generated. By achieving a Gold rating, the project achieved over 75% of the environmental issues related to an office design and its fit-out delivery.

From the early design stage through to handover, all environmental decisions were achieving the SKArating criteria in addition to staying true to aesthetic, durability, cost and timescale goals.

19% of the UK’s carbon footprint is from operational emissions, which is from energy needed to heat, cool and power buildings. The new systems introduced by the Landlord and added by Sumitomo were aiming at a significant operation reduction for operational energy consumption. This happened through specifying products from the Energy Technology List and combined with good design practice on controllability and user engagement. Just in the first 3 months of operation, the Facilities team has been able to see the efficiencies of energy reduction pay-back.

A smart way to combine energy reduction needs with occupant comfort needs came through a solution developed by the mechanical sub-contractors Owen Ltd. They used sensors detecting occupant presence that recorded air quality with air flows and temperature systems operation. Instead of running HVAC systems at high consumption on a permanent basis, the team proposed a solution that enabled the most efficient operation without compromising on user experience.

In addition to energy impacts and the GHG emissions related to these, the design and delivery teams at DMG worked constantly to refine material and resource efficiency through resource management. Multiple solutions were explored and a number implemented, which reduced material waste and increased re-use on and off site. The implementation of a resource management system in DMG’s project delivery operation enabled complete transparency and efficiency of material resources.

“Thank you for your time last week, it is great to understand in greater detail what you need from us and also how we can improve going forward – it is crucial in our industry!”

Samantha Allan, Andreu World Business Development Manager

As part of the harder packages on the project to align to a sustainable trajectory was the furniture package. The team, from the Sumitomo internal stakeholders owning this, to the Interior Design team in DMG and the furniture contractor Tsunami Axis, all worked exceptionally hard to bring the full furniture package to SKArating compliance. The results meant that all timber containing products aligned fully to timber responsible practices all the way to the site. The application of this SKArating requirement highlighted numerous problems in the supply chain and through a collaborative approach by the whole team and supply chain, were resolved. This is one of the most valuable returns of undertaking a SKArating assessment; the correction of systemic issues in the market and supply-chains, enabling everyone to benefit from the process and improve. The team at Tsunami Axis dug deep and really excelled in their own skills development and knowledge, which in turn they are now applying on numerous other projects.

“Thank you again to yourself and the team for the incredible support.”

Daniel Ringshaw, DMG Workplace Director

Thanks to the determination of both Sumitomo and DMG, an openness to challenge the unsustainable status quo, and an appetite for our support along the way, determined the significant lift of industry delivery. The result was an experience of what sustainable interiors entail and developed for all involved a better understanding of how to reduce environmental impact in practice, how to enhance wellbeing performance in workplace projects, and how to leave a client and the whole team happy and better off from going through the process.

The outcome of the SKArating assessment was the achievement of a Gold certificate.

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Systemic thinking was developed around the solutions in the design and delivery of the HVAC system. It both aligned with the wider building strategy which was aligned to Net Zero Carbon, as well as the tenancy’s own systems.
• R32 refrigerant was used to replace the old system, ensuring a low GWP and high energy efficient gas was used. The system design focused on preventing emissions and where they might occur they will align with international targets for Net Zero. The system is centrally monitored and features automated on/off controls based on occupancy, plus alarms for any leakage which can allow immediate shut-down and drawdown.
• Circular economy practices: Existing doors were retained and rewrapped, RAF tiles and pedestals were retained and pre-loved ones were newly installed, carpet off-cuts were sent back to manufacturers as part of a closed-loop recycling schemes, furniture booths and a store wall runs were re-used from the existing office.
• 100% landfill diversion: All strip-out and construction waste was diverted from landfill,
• Electric Vehicles (EVs) were used for waste collection transport cutting direct emissions from the project delivery.
  • Energy and water efficiency: A centralised Monitoring and Targeting system was installed, allowing Sumitomo direct access to occupant consumption that allows the team to track and reduce consumption with targeted actions.
• Exceptional efforts were made for the design and specification of compliant furniture by the whole project team.
• Joinery finishes such as fabrics, worktops and FSC certified timber were systematically developed to ensure SKArating compliance, which in most cases for finishes this meant the provision of products with compliant Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
• Bespoke, high-efficiency lighting: All lighting was designed with LED lamps and in high-efficiency fittings. Daylight and occupant presence were installed throughout the design with strong commissioning activities to ensure best experiences for Sumitomo in use and to meet their efficiency consumption goals.
• Recycling and waste management: Multiple waste collection points were installed to facilitate recycling separation during occupancy, aligning with the building’s waste strategy which ensured a smooth and flowing operation for all.
• Smart thermal comfort control: Air quality sensors were linked to heating systems, adjusting heat output based on occupancy, preventing unnecessary energy use and maximum comfort.

Social

• Improved workplace wellbeing: The integration of air quality sensors and thermal comfort controls enhance employee health and productivity.
• The waste separation strategy and sustainable office design encouraged a culture of environmental responsibility among employees which gives positive emotional experiences.
• Lighting controllability through the work, wellbeing and public spaces support emotional, physical and cognitive comfort.
• The development of a wellbeing space has been a huge hit with many using it for quick naps, especially when adjusting from international travel.

Economic Value

• Efficient resource management: The project tracked materials from strip-out to new installations, optimising processes and demonstrating value in both contractor delivery and client cost savings.
• The energy-efficient HVAC system, LED lighting, and AMT monitoring reduce ongoing utility costs.
• Long-term sustainability compliance: Ensuring all furniture met compliance standards.
• The 3rd party accredited assessment met the operational environmental compliance needs and ensured Sumitomo’s compliance needs were exceeded.