Sustainability & ESG

THE MARIS METHODOLOGY:
CIRCULARITY FIRST

At Maris, we treat a refurbishment project as a mining operation. We mine the existing office for value before we import anything new. Our methodology is built on Circular Economy principles.

1. The Pre-Demolition Audit
Before design begins, we audit the existing fabric.

• Retain: Can the glazed partitions be re-sprayed to match the new brand? (Saving 90% of the carbon of new glass).
• Refurbish: Can the raised access floor be cleaned rather than replaced?
• Reuse: Can the existing doors be re-laminated?

2. The M&E Upgrade (Operational Efficiency)
We target the biggest energy guzzlers. Old HVAC systems are often oversized and inefficient. We replace 15-year-old fan coil units with modern, variable-speed equivalents that consume 40% less energy. We install intelligent lighting controls (DALI systems) that harvest daylight, dimming the LEDs when the sun shines.

3. Responsible Specification
When we must buy new, we scrutinise the supply chain.

• EPDs: We request Environmental Product Declarations for major items like carpet and furniture.
• VOCs: We use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints and adhesives to ensure indoor air quality is non-toxic.
• Biophilia: As noted in the Maris Guide, we integrate “biophilic features” not just for aesthetics, but to improve oxygen levels and reduce occupant stress.

THE CFO’S CORNER:

SKA RATING VS. BREEAM

Navigating the alphabet soup of green certifications is complex. For a refurbishment project, the choice of certification impacts both budget and reputation.

BREEAM:
The heavyweight champion. It assesses the entire building. It is rigorous but expensive and paper heavy. It is best suited for major structural refurbishments.

SKA Rating:
The specialist’s choice. Designed specifically for fit-out and refurbishment, SKA (operated by RICS) is flexible. It assesses only what you change (e.g., “Gold,” “Silver,” “Bronze”). It is generally more cost-effective and relevant for internal refurbishments than BREEAM.

The Financial Incentive:
Investing in green technology often qualifies for Capital Allowances. Under current UK tax law, replacing thermal insulation, lighting, or heating systems can attract 100% tax relief in the year of expenditure. We work with your finance team to code invoices to capture this benefit, effectively subsidising the green premium.

MARIS TOOLS:

THE “GREEN AUDIT” CHECKLIST

Use this checklist to ensure your refurbishment isn’t just “greenwashing.”

• Waste Diversion: Have we set a target to divert 95%+ of strip-out waste from landfill?
• The “Furniture Amnesty”: Have we categorised every piece of existing furniture as keep, repair, or donate? (Never skip the Repair option – reupholstering a task chair costs 30% of buying new).
• Metering: Are we installing sub-meters on the distribution boards? (You cannot manage energy usage if you only have one bill for the whole floor).
• Materiality: Is the timber FSC-certified? Are the carpets cradle-to-cradle (recyclable)?