Sustainable office specialist first to achieve new energy efficiency standard

Press release: 6 April 2010

Green office design and fit out company Morgan Lovell has become the first organisation in Britain to achieve certification from BSI to the new energy management system standard, BS EN 16001.

The workplace refurbishment company has secured certification to the standard after establishing processes and systems to improve energy efficiency at its London office.

This has included fitting smart meters to measure and control energy usage, technology to power-down equipment such as computers when they are not in use, and regular communication with staff to promote the benefits of adopting environmental efficiencies.

Morgan Lovell has also introduced a range of sustainable features in the office to reduce its impact on the environment.

These include lighting based on movement sensors, which is supported by dimming units that reduce the need for artificial light by taking account of the natural lighting conditions, as well as a heating and cooling system - zoned across the office floors - which harnesses any heat rejected in areas being cooled and uses it to warm up other parts of the building as required.

Since introducing these measures, Morgan Lovell has seen its energy bills drop by around 30 per cent over 12 months.

Victoria Barron, of BSI Group said: “Morgan Lovell is the first company in Britain to achieve certification to BS EN 16001 with BSI.

“This new energy management system standard provides a comprehensive set of controls designed to help organisations establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy efficiency, as has been demonstrated by Morgan Lovell.”

David Henderson, MD of Morgan Lovell said: “We are delighted to achieve a first in the industry with certification to BS EN 16001.

“As well as cutting costs, improving our building’s energy performance has offered a range of tangible benefits, including preparing for the mandatory CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme – and supporting our corporate social responsibility policy.”

The achievement of BS EN 16001 is the latest success for Morgan Lovell linked to the environment.

Its Noel Street office scored the highest BREEAM rating ever for an office refurbishment of its type in the UK, winning both a Green Apple and BIFM Award – and the company has made the Sunday Times’ Best Green Companies list in 2008 and 2009.

About Morgan Lovell

Located in London, Birmingham and the Thames Valley, Morgan Lovell is the UK’s leading office interior design, fit out and refurbishment specialist. With its own teams of designers, surveyors and project managers, the company can design, manage and deliver entire projects, with the benefit of just one point of contact. It is part of Morgan Sindall plc, a leading UK construction and regeneration group which operates through five divisions of fit out, construction, infrastructure services, affordable housing and urban regeneration, which are supported by two specialist units of investments and professional services.

Morgan Lovell is a licensed BREEAM Offices Assessment Organisation. This means it is now licensed to measure the sustainability score of an office in order to identify ways companies can reduce high energy usage and waste, whilst increasing comfort and satisfaction for users of the building. For further information please visit www.morganlovell.co.uk.