A Morgan Stanley office in Sydney has been officially recognised as the first green office in Australia, setting a benchmark for office fitouts around the country by achieving a 5 Star Green Star Certified Rating recognising 'Australian Excellence'.
“The Green Building Council congratulates Morgan Stanley on achieving the first officially recognised green office in Australia,” said Green Building Council Chief Executive (Acting), Romilly Madew.
“Morgan Stanley is also to be applauded on its investment in its staff - after all, more than 25% of the average Australian office-worker's life - or more than 40% of their waking hours - is spent in the office, and international research has clearly shown that green office fitouts have enormous impact on comfort, health and productivity.”
The Morgan Stanley office on Level 2 of 30 The Bond was assessed under the Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star - Office Interiors rating tool, which was released in May 2005 to promote office fitouts that provide healthier, more productive work-places which also have less impact on the natural environment.
30 The Bond was awarded a 5 Star Green Star Certified Rating under the Green Star - Office As Built rating tool earlier this year.
The Morgan Stanley office fitout achieved maximum scores for its workstations (reflective of low-impact content, environmentally friendly production, product stewardship, durability, reusability and design for disassembly) and the Transport category of the rating tool (with no car parking dedicated to the tenancy), as well as high scores for flooring and chairs.
The fitout also exceeded the Green Star benchmark in a number of areas, including the supply of outside air, and it received points for innovation for installing the previously used access floor in 35% of the office area.
The firm's objective for its office at 30 The Bond, which currently houses more than 150 employees, was to create a stimulating and innovative workplace that would attract and retain top financial services talent.
Steve Harker, CEO of Morgan Stanley Australia, said, ”We are pleased that this outstanding workplace has been externally recognised, and congratulate the partners and professionals who developed this excellent environment. The Firm strives to be an employer of choice and provide staff with the best infrastructure and environment.”
Other key features of the Morgan Stanley fitout include:
- 85% of flooring achieved a 100% score recognising low-impact content, environmentally friendly production, product stewardship, durability, reusability and design for disassembly;
- Base building fixtures were replaced to further improve potable water efficiency;
- More than 80% of construction waste was diverted from landfill;
- External views are available to more than 60% of work settings;
- Indoor air quality has been improved through the use of low-VOC paints and carpet;
- Chilled beams and good lighting design enable the fitout to operate at or potentially above the 5 Star ABGR fitout rating;
- Electrical sub-metering has been provided for light and power and other major energy uses; and
- Existing ceiling tiles were left intact.
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm and a market leader in securities, investment management, and credit services, with more than 600 offices in 30 countries. Morgan Stanley's Australian operations include mergers and acquisitions advice and financing; fixed income; institutional equities sales, research and trading; international asset management; and a range of support services for the Firm's global and Asia-Pacific operations. The Firm's headcount in Australia has increased from 48 to more than 250 in the past six years.
Media contacts:
GBCA
Sarah Turner
0416 147 534
Morgan Stanley
Hugh Fraser
0412 677 081