Summertown Interiors, UAE-based corporate turnkey design and fit-out solution specialist, said there was a positive side to the global economic downturn as it had opened up avenues for new business for the company.

There has been a sudden surge in green initiatives as companies embrace cost-saving measures during the current economic climate, said the design solutions company.

The design team has seen a trend in many corporations investing in new office fit-outs and refurbishments for their office space; using money saved as a result of the decrease in the rental market, said a company official.

'In this current economic climate commercial rental properties have adjusted, at times falling by up to 40 per cent, and this has opened up avenues for new business for Summertown Interiors,' said Marcos Bish, managing director, Summertown Interiors.

'Some corporations have almost halved their rental costs and many have been directing this extra capital to new office fit-outs or office refurbishments or alternatively some decide to move premises as they get more value for their money in terms of location or square meters,' he noted.

A market leader in eco-friendly design, Summertown Interiors is compliant with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, in the gold category.

'In a time of economic crisis the LEED certification is a further coup for Summertown Interiors as businesses are realising that they can actually save money with their new or refurbished office, whilst simultaneously minimising the company’s corporate carbon footprint,' Bish pointed out.

'There has been a significant increase in the uptake of green initiatives in the UAE, as companies become more aware of cost-savings during the current economic climate,' he added.

By incorporating environmental designs which are LEED compliant, Summertown Interiors can create an office which uses up to 35 per cent less energy, 40-50 per cent less water and can divert over 90 per cent of its waste from the landfill, he said.

'When you add all this up on a yearly basis, it can be a considerable saving for a company,' noted Bish.

'Not only can Summertown help businesses work efficiently by cutting running costs but also encourage the corporate sector to become environmentally intelligent by following the lead of the UAE’s government initiatives by creating a green future for this country,' he added.

Summertown Interiors recently opened its multi-million dirham corporate headquarters and showroom in Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone), Dubai, implementing the international green standards already on offer to its clients.

The new premises offer water efficient fixtures to reduce water consumption; usage of LEED certified furniture, products and materials with high recycle content and reduced energy consumption through sensor-controlled lights.

The Summertown premises also incorporated into their design star-rated energy electrical equipment; indoor CO2 monitors; water usage reduction through sensor based systems and waste segregation for recycling purposes – all of which will save money for the company.-TradeArabia News Service