CASE STUDY
meeting room next to the reception area is an
innovation from Dulux which (a) reduces solvent
emissions and (b) absorbs light so that, in theory,
when it gets dark an extra hour of light is gained
every day. Kitchen surfaces in the break-out
area comprise recycled plastic bottles, stylish
stackable chairs used for client seminars are
made from car batteries and seatbelts while fl oor
tiles are the clippable variety which require no
adhesives or solvents.
All this results in a defi nite ‘feel good’ factor
and a healthier working environment.
“A survey after the refurbishment revealed
exceptional levels of satisfaction among
employees with a score of 95%,” states
Conaway, not without pride. “We were also
placed seventh for having the ‘greenest’
employees in the Sunday Times Green
Companies List announced in May 2008.”
Has it been hard to win over employees’
hearts and minds?
“When the original concept was discussed,
boards were put up and the staff were showed
what was planned. They were also invited to
suggest changes. These were relatively minor
and included things like installing a Nintendo
Wii in the break-out area which was included.”
All this adds up to an enviably healthy
working environment.
“We’ve noticed there have been less sick days
taken,” adds Conaway.
Now the six million dollar question; how
much more expensive was it to ‘green’ up the
Morgan Lovell headquarters?
“To do what we did, you are looking at an
increase of 10% to 11%,” says the sustainability
manager without hesitation. “However you need
to bear in mind that this includes an M&E fi t out
and the BREEAM certifi cation. Other companies
should not let this deter them. There is fi nancial
help out there. For instance there are enhanced
capital allowances for businesses (although we
don’t think this gets advertised enough) and we
always recommend that our clients speak to their
fi nancial advisors about where to get funding.”
Despite wanting to hear more about the
cost implications, products and results of the
company’s green fi t out, it is time to leave No 16
Noel Street. Conaway has another appointment
and then she and nine other colleagues leave
for an awards night at the Dorchester, for the
Emirates Glass Sustainability Awards where
Morgan Lovell has been short-listed for (yet)
another green gong.
The company bookcase made of FSC
certifi ed American black walnut is soon
going to be groaning under the weight of all
those trophies, but that is a prospect Morgan
Lovell’s sustainability manager is clearly
happy to put up with.
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS October/November 2008 23
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