What
Summertown Interiors is the first interior design and turnkey fit-out contractor in the UAE to occupy a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold standard office.
Where
The office is located a short distance from gate seven, Jebel Ali Free Zone.
When
Construction of the office building commenced in 2007. Both the structure and the interiors were completed in April 2009.
Who
Summertown's design team, led by interior design manager Heidi Demuynck, provided the blueprint for what it is today.
How many
There are 40 people currently working in the office.
How
"As there is a lot of external and internal glass, we chose a light grey Marmoleum floor in order to control noise and reduce glare. Other important aspects of the floor are that it is made of renewable materials and is 100 per cent biodegradable," says Marcos Bish, managing director of Summertown Interiors.
Most of the finishes are shades of white and grey with a few accent colours. "This was made in order to give the interiors a fresh and clean look," he explains.
The open plan office was designed to utilise space effectively. "It optimises the usage of space, enhances communication, and allows for an effective and efficient workflow," says Marcos. "The colouring also had to be bright in order to be able to achieve less than 8 watts of power consumption/m² while giving the interiors a pleasant ambience."
What Else
The office includes a prayer room, video conferencing facilities, showers, a breakout area, a dedicated showroom space and a special needs parking area. To reduce environmental impact, the company also encourages carpooling among employees.
