PB leads by eco-example

Globally leading provider and operator of infrastructure solutions, Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) has recently shown it's a company that believes in heeding its own advice. The highly respected international engineering consultancy has just moved into new 22,000 sq ft premises in the City of London that are a showcase example of sustainable design - a quality it exhorts on all of its projects.

The relocation into the new offices, which were designed and delivered by the TSK group, was instigated due to the phenomenal growth of PB's London team which has trebled in size over the last three years. With plans to further increase staff numbers to 200 within the next 12 months, PB needed more room and also saw this as a good opportunity to bring together its people in the Capital who had previously been located across two separate sites.

Having found the perfect space across two floors of 6 Devonshire Square, the consultancy knew from day one that it was important to be seen as a pioneer and that its new offices - which offer views of Lord Foster's 'Gherkin' - should be as ecologically sensitive as possible.

To realise this vision, the engineering consultancy set up a dedicated project team known as 'The Green Team' and also employed the services of TSK, who had previously created high quality workplaces for PB at other locations in the UK.

In creating the new offices, which consist of a reception area, open plan workspace, an executive suite, meeting rooms, boardrooms and social spaces, TSK and The Green Team considered every detail in the interests of sustainability. Fixtures and fittings, materials and furnishings are all made from recyclable material wherever possible, whilst walls are decorated with organic paint. At the same time, water consumption and wastage is streamlined thanks to flow efficient systems and marmoleum flooring is widely used - chosen because it is made from natural, renewable raw materials.

Not content to stop there, TSK and the Green Team also specified the latest AV technology, including web, video and telephone conferencing facilities, to reduce unnecessary travel requirements and associated carbon emissions. Plus, to further cut the office's carbon footprint, showers have been included to encourage staff to cycle to work and Dyson Airbaldes installed because they use up to 80% less energy than conventional warm air hand dryers.

With the new offices now complete and PB fully moved in, the company's Director of Facilities, Neville Gray, said: "We are delighted with the results at 6 Devonshire Square. On an immediate level, you can't help but notice the impressive aesthetics, the quality of the finish and the considered layout of the new interior. However, it's the unseen attention to detail which we are particularly proud of, as this is reflective of PB's wider business approach. This is an office where no stone has been left unturned to ensure it's not only fit-for-purpose but also as eco-conscious as possible."

Andy Burke, Group Commercial Director at TSK added: "With sustainability continuing to top the social, political and economic agenda, the TSK group is increasingly asked to provide greener working environments. The project at PB London demonstrates just how much is possible and we are proud to have been involved."

Following on from this project, PB has subsequently employed TSK to fit out additional office space it has recently taken in Manchester.