Designing social change

After contributing to the design of global projects like the Sydney Opera House and British Museum, this forward-thinking engineering company is looking to leave a smaller footprint.

Social and environmental responsibility is at the core of everything international building consultants Steensen Varming do. The firm boasts offices in Sydney, Canberra, London, Copenhagen, Hong Kong and New York, specialising in mechanical and electrical services, lighting and sustainability design. Over the past 90 years it has innovated iconic structures both here and abroad, including a seawater cooling system for the Sydney Opera House and energy reductions and improved environmental control at the National Gallery of Australia.

Now the company has joined the certified B Corporations network of environmentally responsible businesses. CEO Dan Mackenzie explains why the move was a natural progression of the firm’s longstanding values.

Why is sustainability so important to Steensen Varming?

We believe in creating positive environments and being aware of the social implications of every project we undertake. To demonstrate our responsibility to sustainability, we have chosen to meet B Corp’s high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

Why B Corp certification?

We believe B Corp is responsible for the most rigorous test of values in action and it reflects how we go further than “talking the talk”, putting real substance to our actions.

What changes have been made to achieve B Corp certification?

Our responses reflected how we have long acted as a company. But it has given us a focus on issues such as transparency, setting targets and looking closer at our supply chain. We need to be better at structuring our data collection and reporting for ongoing certification and improvements we would like to make.

How do you see Steensen Varming as a business that is a force for good?

Our projects are chosen for their wider societal or environmental benefit, such as our design for the UWS Eucalyptus woodland free-air CO2 enrichment (EucFACE) facility, which was recognised at the Engineering Excellence Awards for Environment and Heritage in 2013. We try to enhance these by doing our job better than anyone else so that naturally leads to being a force for good.

What does the future hold?

We use the term “good work with good people for good reasons”. We look forward to transparently continuing to balance profit and purpose while exceeding our goals of social and environmental responsibility. As David Bowie said, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know it won’t be boring!”

For more information on Steensen Varming, visit steensenvarming.com