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Summertown opens new eco-friendly HQ

Dubai, April 14, 2009

Summertown Interiors (SI), a leading corporate turnkey design and fit-out solution provider, has opened its new Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) corporate headquarters and showroom, which features a number of green standards. 

SI is a market leader in eco-friendly design, and is compliant with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) certification, in the gold category.

The company was one of only three companies nominated for the Environmentally Sustainable Design of the Year award at the annual Commercial Interior Design Awards in Dubai in December 2008.

SI’ new Jafza premises use water efficient fixtures to reduce water consumption by more than 32 per cent, and building lighting energy has been reduced by about 54.98 per cent.

To create a superior working environment, ventilation has been increased, providing about 30 per cent more fresh air than the minimum specified in the standards set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

“There has been a significant increase in the uptake of green initiatives, as companies become more aware of the cost-savings in reducing energy,” said Marcos Bish, managing director of SI.

“We incorporated all the best elements of green design into the new headquarters and showroom to demonstrate to existing and potential clients how to create an eco-friendly work environment that is also cost-effective and productive,” he added.

With high-profile customers such as Procter & Gamble and CB Richard Ellis in Dubai and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in Abu Dhabi, Summertown has a strong focus on aesthetics, while working within budgetary and space restrictions.

“A key consideration of the design was creating a positive work environment for our staff – we believe that by focusing on vital aspects such as ergonomics, productivity is boosted. Our philosophy can be summed up in a popular saying in this part of the world: We shape our buildings; there after, our buildings shape us,” said Bish.

The colour scheme in the new Summertown facility is calming yet conducive to work, space is optimised and clutter is reduced. Natural materials have been chosen – including medium-density fiberboard made from eucalyptus.

All wood used in the project was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, in keeping with the responsible management of the world’s forests.

The state-of-the art premises occupy 900 sq mt over two levels. The design strategy has factored in access to public transport and other services. As an initiative to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, the facility has bicycle storage spaces with changing room facilities.

In addition, Summertown has provided car pooling for its staff to reduce pollution and the strain on the local infrastructure. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Water | Dubai | Jebel Ali | Environment | Green | Summertown Interiors |

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