From designing some of the most sustainable data centres in the world to publishing a book that takes sustainable building design to the next level, engineering consultancy Cundall leads the way in making the built environment more sustainable. An accreditation from Bioregional demonstrates that when it comes to its own business, the company practices what it preaches.
Cundall's projects include a data centre for Facebook, several BREEAM outstanding projects, a Northern Irish hospital that saves £200,000 on electricity thanks to its lighting, and an office fit-out that won the firm a SKA gold rating. The business has also achieved LEED platinum on international projects and currently holds Building magazine's "cut the carbon" award.
But the consultancy's efforts reach well beyond its projects. Cundall is helping the government set standards for more efficient school buildings. It provides environmental leadership to the building industry, investing in research and development, presenting at conferences, lecturing at universities and taking part in industry bodies. Its book, What Colour is Your Building, contains practical guidance on developing low energy buildings along with a whole carbon footprint methodology for buildings, developed by the company.
Cundall's approach to sustainability involves working closely with clients and designers, to make sure everyone understands the issues in order to find the best possible solution. There are regular seminars to keep staff up to date on sustainability activities and achievements.
It is this embrace of sustainability that led to Cundall's accreditation as a One Planet company by Bioregional, the first consultancy to achieve the endorsement. It is evidence of the company's undertaking to live and work within a fair share of the planet's resources, following the guiding principles set by Bioregional and WWF.
Lorna Thorpe is part of the wordworks network
The Guardian Sustainable Business Sustainability Case Studies contain articles on all the initiatives that met the criteria for the GSB Awards.
