BDO STOY HAYWARD’S CARBON NEUTRAL FIT-OUT

9th December 2008 - FSC certified Medite Premier

In 2008, leading accountants and business advisors BDO Stoy Hayward made a significant move; relocating all London employees (previously based in a number of locations) to one office at 55 Baker Street. Specialist interior design division, Bennett Interior Design, was commissioned to deliver a design concept that reflected the values held by BDO Stoy Hayward, helping to assure its position as a leader in its professional field.

Specialist joinery company Taylor Made Joinery Interiors Limited, with its reputation for high quality, precision and detail, was contracted for the fit-out. The ground floor reception provides the first impression and sets the tone for the design throughout. A transition between the ground floor and first floor is created by linking both with an impressive timber ‘strap' feature, and a secondary reception on the first floor provides the opportunity for a more personalised service.

Staff facilities have been intentionally designed to be side by side with client meeting facilities on the first floor to reinforce the importance of staff as key to the firm's success. The creation of an equal and democratic space is the focus on the five office floors, endorsed by a company-wide move to open plan working - from senior management down.

The building has an ‘Excellent' rating according to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and BDO Stoy Hayward undertook an independent assessment to ensure that the fit-out works did not compromise this rating. As well as an environmental audit of the site and environmental training for all their staff, BDO Stoy Hayward made the decision to raise the bar with initiatives including packaging minimisation, CO2 emission monitoring, segregated waste management, and specification of FSC certified timber and wood products throughout the building. This included Medite Premier MDF, whose excellent face properties made it suitable for the thinnest laminates and coatings. Its consistency of quality, thickness and its weight advantages enabled Taylor Made Joinery to incorporate this versatile, high performance and fully certified wood panel product seamlessly throughout the project.

BDO Stoy Hayward was also one of the first firms in the UK to include the embodied energy in the raw materials in their carbon offsetting calculations; the entire fit-out is carbon neutral.

Throughout 2008, Coillte Panel Products, the Ireland-based parent division of Medite, has been running a high profile campaign “Time To Choose”, asking decision makers throughout industry to be uncompromising in their choice of wood products. Geoff Rhodes, marketing and business development director says, “The traditional criteria long used to determine product choice is being challenged. Purchase decisions impact on the environment and concern is growing. Our panel products match the environmental and performance expectations of today's marketplace. For a prestigious firm such as BDO Stoy Hayward to take this lead and make a real difference is hugely encouraging.”