Sustainability and simplicity were the keywords for Wessex Water’s furnishing of their new operations centre at Claverton Down in Bath, UK.
Completed in August 2000, Wessex Water’s new facility was awarded the highest possible rating for environmental performance by the Building Research Establishment, setting a benchmark for the future of office construction. Its high-tech design incorporates everything from solar panels to rainwater catchment tanks. At the same time the long, low building blends into the sloping landscaped grounds and wild flower meadows in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Wessex Water’s firm commitment to sustainability was fundamental in the selection of furniture providers. Their brief demanded that the furniture, like the building itself, should fulfill strict criteria, reducing the impact on the environment at every stage of manufacture and delivery. Herman Miller, also an award-winner for its ecological initiatives, was well-placed to meet this challenge. Together with the recyclability of the products themselves, the practice of reducing packaging by blanket wrapping desks for delivery was noted by the selection team.
Another factor was geography, as Wessex Water were keen to minimise transportation by using local suppliers wherever possible. Herman Miller, also located in an environmentally sensitive site close to the centre of Bath, was an appropriate choice, in partnership with its Bristol-based dealers Workscape.
The exceptional design and aspirations of the £21.3 million building made choosing what would go inside it particularly difficult: ‘Furniture was an emotive subject’ admits Mike Caple, Facility Manager.
A rigorous selection procedure was undertaken before Abak desking and Aeron chairs were selected, with input from staff and directors as well as the Facilities team. Mock-up workstations were put to the test for six weeks in the portacabins on site while building work was still in progress. Mike Caple identifies this ‘hands-on’ testing as a crucial stage in the selection of the Abak product tendered by Herman Miller and Workscape. Actually using Abak allowed the team to identify benefits that could not be fully appreciated on paper, such as the ‘pinnability’ of the screens.
Also beneficial at this pre-qualification stage was Herman Miller’s rapid response to the request for adaptation of the Abak desk , resulting in extensive re-engineering to tailor the desk understructure to the company’s specific requirements. Wessex Water opted for an unusual ‘linished’ (brushed) matt aluminium finish for the desk legs and also choose veneer worksurfaces. These options were both considered to be ‘greener’ than using paint, chrome or plastics. In addition to Herman Miller’s usual practice of using only sustainable wood supplies, the manufacturer also agreed to plant a sapling locally for each tree felled for the desktops.
The selection of the Aeron chair was not part of the assessment team’s original intention. The Aeron was initially considered too expensive and the team were considering chairs in a lower price range. However, having spotted an Aeron chair next to the other, cheaper, options the immediate reaction of the directors was ‘that’s the one we want.’
Neil Fisher, Project Manager, observes that ‘all the other chairs were pretty similar’ but instantly recognised the Aeron as ‘a very impressive chair.’ ‘The Aeron was so different. It’s the type of chair you either like or dislike.’ It certainly proved instantly popular among staff, who ‘couldn’t believe they were getting that quality of chair!’
Whereas different chairs in Wessex Water’s old regional offices were used to indicate status, the choice of Aerons for everybody in the Bath operations centre reflects a new understanding of the purpose of office seating. It is also a testimony to the cross-performance capability of the Aeron. ‘Departmental champions’ or representatives were given the opportunity to test the chairs before selection, providing invaluable feedback. Herman Miller also provided training in adjusting the chair, enabling staff to get the most out of the Aeron’s capabilities.
The vast majority of the Aeron chair is both recyclable and made from recycled materials, an important factor on a site where even 75% of the construction materials were recycled. Another unique benefit of the Aeron - particularly in an office without air-conditioning such as this one - is its Pellicle suspension, which keeps air circulating to cool the back and legs. The natural ventilation system in the new E-shaped building has yet to be put to the test during the summer months, and it is essential to avoid the uncomfortable ‘sticky’ feeling of heat build-up that results from foam backed chairs.
The uniformity of providing Abak workstations and Aeron chairs for all 580 staff on site, from the Chief Executive to the Call centre staff, is part of a deliberate strategy. The business philosophy behind the new office environment is to foster ‘teamwork, informality and fun’ as well as to improve operational efficiency. ‘Having the same for everyone breaks down barriers between managers and staff’ observes Neil Fisher, ‘and making people feel important in the building has got to lead to improved efficiency.’ Managers do have a larger space allocation, with an additional meeting table, but the layout for the main offices is completely open-plan, with conference rooms available for privacy.
Another benefit of the generic desking layouts is the ease of managing the inevitable churn, which now requires only minimal switchboard changes, and no furniture shifting. With Abak wire management baskets, the nine-strong facilities team are appreciating the simplicity and flexibility of IT cabling, now a straightforward job.
It is fortunate that the furniture is reducing the team’s workload, as the increasing number of visits to the building is threatening to redefine their departmental role as ‘Facilities tour guides’! From Radio Four’s Question Time to the local women’s institute, the dedicated community room, café and restaurant areas are being put to good use.
The architects, Bennetts Associates, are widely acknowledged to have succeeded in designing a sympathetic building that is a model of energy conservation and sustainability. The open, airy interior with spectacular views over the surrounding valleys make it a perfect showcase for its army of Aeron chairs and Abak desks. It is an inspiring project that will no doubt pave the way for more buildings of its kind.
