Speaking at the Overbury SCORe 2007 Sustainable Commercial Office Refurbishment Seminar, Jack Pringle said that existing commercial stock would have to be “totally re-engineered if not rebuilt”, incorporating features such as low-energy lighting, renewable energy systems and green roofs.
More than 180 delegates from across the sector – including end user clients, office facilities managers, developers and architects – attended the event which was held in June at The Congress Centre in Bloomsbury, central London. This was the second year running that Overbury, the first commercial office fit out and refurbishment specialist to become CarbonNeutral®, has organised the conference focusing on the sustainability challenges facing the refurbishment industry.
Among key findings from this year’s survey conducted by Overbury of those who attended the event was the revelation that 84 per cent of delegates surveyed believed the industry did not have a clear understanding of the Government’s new Part L legislation – which aims to reduce carbon emissions from new and existing buildings – and its implications.
‘Circle of blame’
Speakers at the 2007 seminar included Michael Tiplady, director at Jones Lang LaSalle, whose presentation explored sustainability in the real estate sector. This included an outline of the barriers to a more sustainable approach including the ‘circle of blame’ whereby investors and developers perceive little demand for more sustainable office space and - as a result - occupiers who would like more sustainable buildings, have too few to choose from. Investors and developers currently see little evidence of premium rents to balance the perceived increase in development costs, he said, although occupier demands are changing while investors are also keen to take a longer-term view. Among key factors that he highlighted as considerations for new-build and fit out projects were waste management during refurbishment, the undertaking of Cat A and B fit outs at the same time and planned, preventative maintenance to extend the efficient working of plant and equipment.
Among other speakers were Mark Cook, head of design, BRE; Daniel Turner, project manager for The Carbon Disclosure Project and Ray Wilson, risk and governance director, Barclays Facilities Management.
