tp bennett designs a fresh new spot for Aviva at EightyFen
A transparent, community-focused office design represents a milestone in the organisation's commitment to creating positive workspaces.
25/07/2024
3 min read
A force for good: Showcase reflects on a year of social and environmental action
The independent furniture dealer is now Carbon Neutral, setting a standard for future corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
Paid feature by
Showcase
02/02/2023
2 min read
freshfields office london
Words: Showcase
Photography: Sarah London
Showcase is an independent furniture dealer that recognises the significance and value of corporate social responsibility policies and practices. In all their endeavours, the team aim to demonstrate a strong dedication to protecting the integrity and diversity of individuals, communities, and the environment. Participation in furniture donation initiatives to local schools, committing to projects in Mexico and Cambodia along with a reforestation project in Cumbria are examples of the company’s expanding social pursuits that have been integrated into its daily operations.
Last year, Showcase announced plans to measure and reduce its carbon footprint. The furniture specialists are now Carbon Neutral in accordance with PAS2060, with due credit to its partnership with environmental experts, Planet Mark.
Working with Planet Mark has propelled Showcase’s sustainability efforts. Recent Carbon Offset projects have included planting a forest in Cumbria, increasing the share of renewable energy in Mexico’s grid through wind farming, supporting steam generation using renewable biomass in India, and protecting the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia.
freshfields office london
Showcase’s portfolio also demonstrates a dedication to its social beliefs throughout its projects. Showcase was commissioned by Freshfields, a worldwide law company, to provide its furniture consultancy and procurement service for its new head office in Bishopsgate, London. The building, which spanned 11 floors, underwent a fit-out to facilitate well-being and community values. Initiated with a briefing and interaction with environmental consultants Twin & Earth, the sustainable precedent was set from the very start. Showcase created an environmental questionnaire and issued it to 285 suppliers to shortlist those who could meet the rigid sustainability objectives.
Freshfields assigned Showcase to work alongside construction specialists ISG and Architects IDSR. During the project, ISG led an initiative with ‘Trees for Cities’, a charity that aims to improve lives and communities by planting trees in local and international neighbourhoods – with 700 trees planted in woodland space as a result. Upon the project’s completion, it was evident that sustainability targets had been met for both the finished product and throughout the installation process. The environmental assessors, RICS, gave Showcase an unequivocal seal of approval as its efforts contributed towards the project’s ‘SKA Gold’ award.
freshfields office london
The drive for Showcase’s social beliefs can be found in the company’s very core. Owners Nigel and Emma Boreham recognise the significance of their responsibilities by supporting local charities and giving back to their surrounding communities. In the past year, Showcase has donated laptops to local schools to aid early years IT learning, and furniture items such as chairs and beanbags to learning facilities in London and beyond.
The company’s Public Sector division also worked alongside Gensler to donate furniture items to First Love Foundation’s Docklands HQ, tackling poverty in Tower Hamlets, London.
As another year begins, Showcase looks forward to continuing efforts and finding new ways to support causes that matter, for the benefit of individuals, surrounding communities, and the environment.
