Sharp Tudhope Lawyers and Sustainability – a Winning Formula

1.10.12
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Sharp Tudhope Lawyers and Sustainability – a Winning Formula

The Bay of Plenty’s oldest law firm takes top honours in the Trailblazer Sustainable Medium Business category at regional Sustainable Business Network Awards.

TAURANGA, 1 OCTOBER 2012: Sharp Tudhope Lawyers reaped the rewards and recognition of six years’ hard work as its cutting-edge new building helped it take out the Trailblazer Sustainable Medium Business Award at the Bay of Plenty / Waikato Sustainable Business Network Awards (SBNA) Ceremony, held in Rotorua on Friday.

The company beat out two other Tauranga-based finalists to take the top spot and will now move on to compete in a national competition across a number of categories including Trailblazer Sustainable Medium Business, People’s Choice and Sustainable Innovation and Design.

The Greenstar four-star-standard building (awaiting final accreditation) was a major factor in the firm taking the top honour for medium businesses in the regional awards as a result of its clear commitment to sustainability across all stages of development, design, build and fitout as well as its blend of practicality and style.

One of the major sustainability features is the building’s rainwater system. Rainwater is captured and stored in sizeable tanks for use in the building’s toilets and urinals. The storage tanks also release water gradually back into the council’s storm water system to minimise pressure during times of heavy downpours.

The firm minimises its impact on landfills through a well thought-out waste management system. Paper, which is the major waste item in most companies, is shredded and donated to a local worm farm.

In addition, all food scraps are given to a piggery and all cardboard and recyclables are recycled, resulting in the bare minimum of waste ending up in a landfill.

General Manager, Peter Wilson, says that the accolade is a triumph for the firm, especially for the project team who upheld their commitment to the development of a building which embodies sustainability.

“Having had our efforts recognised at the Sustainable Business Network Awards is very satisfying. The team behind this project has ensured that our building epitomises sustainability in all its senses, without compromising on aesthetics. Creating a workplace our staff can be proud of, in an environment that looks after the community was paramount,” he says.

Wilson believes the company’s building is an iconic addition to Tauranga’s cityscape and has revitalised an area of the city that offered a huge amount of opportunity. He also says that it is the perfect complement to a business which places sustainability in all its senses as a driving priority.

“Our building has allowed us to better align with the values of many of our clients and staff, and is an important part of the equation in attracting and retaining lawyers with top pedigrees. We have benchmarked our energy use in our previous premises and will quantify our expected energy savings when we have a year of data in the new building,” he concludes.

Other sustainable features include:

Videoconferencing: Sharp Tudhope uses Skype to videoconference in a purpose-built conference room to minimise unnecessary travel to other cities.

Cycling: The building has cycle racks in the basement parking area and nearby showers to encourage staff to cycle to and from work. Mail collection and document delivery around the CBD is by cycle.

Energy: Air conditioning and lighting activate only when people are in a room and close down when they leave. Air conditioning in the boardroom and staff cafeteria shuts off if the doors or moveable walls to the deck are open.

Building: The building is designed to Greenstar four-star standard, and application has been made for accreditation. The fitout is also designed to Greenstar four-star standard.

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