Sustainability initiatives at the workplace

In October 2022, HLK (a global cooperation combining Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP and HL Kempner Partnerschaft mbB) moved its Bristol office to a new generation sustainable office space, One Portwall Square. Built by Skanska in collaboration with developers Nord, One Portwall Square combines contemporary architecture with a distinct focus on post-Covid occupant wellbeing and holds sustainable operation at the core of its design.

Heralded as the green capital of the UK, Bristol is known for is sustainable initiatives and green credentials. Recognising that the concept of One Portwall Square was very much in line with their business ethos as a progressive and dynamic employer, HLK’s move was driven by a need for innovation and support for sustainability.

Ranked BREEAM Excellent standard and EPC A rated, One Portwall Square is located a short eight-minute walk from Temple Meads Station – Bristol’s main transport hub – promoting use of public transport and increasing ease of connectivity with HLK’s other office locations. One Portwall Square boasts a concrete core cooling system, using chilled water pipes embedded in the concrete slabs to cool internal spaces, whilst it’s mixed mode ventilation system intelligently monitors the external conditions to enable the use of natural ventilation wherever possible, saving energy that would be otherwise required for mechanical ventilation. The building is also connected to the Bristol Heat Network in order to support reduced energy demands and lower the carbon emissions that result from heat.

One Portwall Square brings a new standard in wellness with vast amounts of natural light and a clean pared down aesthetic which supports staff productivity and the physical and emotional health of office users. A 3.65 metre ceiling height and opening windows contribute to the spacious feel of the office environment and large terraces on each upper floor provide employees with an outdoor space to take in some fresh air.

HLK offers a hybrid work model, and over the past month employees have been enjoying the increased collaboration that comes from hot desking in their new office space and making the most of their new generation, sustainable work environment.

Businesses are increasingly interested in adopting sustainable business practices; along with over 12,000 companies globally, Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP joined the UN Global Compact as a signatory in 2021. This is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with a mission to ‘unite companies to align their strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, anti-corruption and take shared responsibility for a better world’.

Amongst other initiatives, this year HLK will be donating to World Land Trust’s Plant a Tree project. Each employee of HLK will have a tree planted on their behalf in order to contribute to global reforestation efforts, restoring lost forests, repairing damaged ecosystems and mitigating climate changes.

Please send your sustainability stories to [email protected].

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