Solid Energy Christchurch offices awarded Green Star rating

9 March 2012

Solid Energy Christchurch offices awarded Green Star rating

Solid Energy’s Christchurch offices in Show Place, Addington has recently been awarded a 5 Green Star NZ - Office Interiors 2009 certified rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) which complements the 5 Green Star – Design rating that the building already holds.

Solid Energy Chief Executive Dr Don Elder says, “This is a welcome acknowledgment of Solid Energy’s continued efforts to achieve improvement in environmental performance across all our sites and activities. It also reinforces the corporate commitment we have made to Christchurch and to the city’s rebuild.”

The Green Star - Office Interiors rating tool is the third in a suite of rating tools for office buildings under the Green Star environmental rating system. A Green Star rated fitout promotes plenty of natural light and task lighting on work stations; low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) finishes and paints; low emission and recycled content fabrics for furnishings; and offices that avoid toxic wood panel products and laminates.

The NZGBC only has certified 73 projects in New Zealand across office, industrial and educational buildings with a prestigious Green Star rating. “A 5 Green Star - Interior fitout rating represents New Zealand excellence for commercial interior design and construction,” says Alex Cutler, NZGBC Chief Executive. “Achieving a 5 Green Star rating shows environmental leadership and a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of development.”

The environment isn’t the only benefactor in running an environmentally-friendly building – staff also reap the benefits. Findings from international research have identified that having green office fitouts are better for the health and productivity of the people who work in them. “Staff and operational costs outweigh all other costs during the lifetime of a building, so investing in healthier, productivity-enhancing workplaces makes sound financial sense,” says Mr Cutler.

To recognise this achievement, Solid Energy is holding a small celebration on Monday 12 March at 2.30pm at 15 Show Place, Addington, Christchurch. Mr Craig Price, Board Member of NZGBC, will be presenting Dr Elder with Solid Energy’s 5 Green Star certificate.

ENDS

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