Office design: How to create a sustainable workplace

storage-planters.jpg

Recent years have seen climate change and the importance of eco-friendly practices placed front and centre on the global stage. Just last month consulting firm, McKinsey, released a report underlining the need for companies to take immediate action. This has led to a demand for greener ways of working in the business world, in an attempt to minimise its negative impact on the environment. 

Sustainable office design is key to success in this area, applying innovative methods to save energy, cut waste and boost the quality of life of all those involved. Here, Stewart Simon, managing director of Coulter Office Interiors, discusses how this can be achieved. 

1.      Energy-efficient design

One of the main goals of sustainable office design is to reduce energy consumption and waste, which involves gaining efficiencies across the areas of lighting, heating, water and air conditioning. This may include structural changes, such as adding insulation within external walls to preserve warmth or installing skylights to maximise natural daylight and ventilation – two things proven to positively impact the health and wellbeing of employees. 

Businesses can also improve their ecological footprint inside the building. There are a number of green ways to incorporate artificial lighting throughout the workplace, ranging from dimming systems and occupancy sensors to reflective surfaces and glass walls. LEDs are widely considered the most eco-friendly lamps on the market, using 90% less energy than traditional incandescents and fluorescents. This also makes them incredibly cost efficient, with a typical payback period of around three years. 

Perhaps predictably, nature is key to the sustainable workplace and can be used both internally and externally to make significant energy savings. Outside, trees can be planted to shade the building from the summer heat, reducing the need for air conditioning, whilst bringing plants inside can improve air quality – they happen to look good too!

2.      Sustainable materials 

The sustainable workplace incorporates eco-friendly materials, with recycled furniture, non-toxic paints and recyclable equipment at the top of the list. More businesses are also opting to source materials locally, saving money and energy on transportation. These low-emission options reduce the environmental impact right across the supply chain, spanning from the manufacturing process to eventual landfill. 

There are a number of innovative and aesthetically pleasing methods to incorporate sustainable materials throughout the workplace. One of the most popular being upcycling. Otherwise known as creative reuse, this involves transforming waste or unwanted objects into a product of higher quality and environmental value. The end result is often a bespoke piece of furniture, which adds both character and a personal touch to the office space. 

3.      Caring culture 

For sustainable design to be effective, the workforce needs to believe in the eco-friendly practices it promotes. This begins with the organisational culture of the company, with many promoting recycling programmes, car sharing and cycle to work schemes as a way to engage employees with the cause. In some cases, it’s as simple as setting out rules around shutting down computers at the end of the day or switching off lights when a room is unoccupied. 

The job of the designer is to make this culture easier to implement and maintain. This may involve installing a cycle rack on the premises or creating designated recycling stations. It’s also important to note that sustainable design isn’t limited to preserving natural resources; it is also concerned with enhancing the wellbeing of employees. Therefore, features that maximise the comfort and happiness of the workforce, such as ergonomic seating and noise-control measures, are also key considerations. 

The future is now 

At a time where public concern over climate change is at an all time high, sustainable office design has never been so important. Done effectively, it promises a whole host of benefits to the environment and the workforce, enhancing wellbeing and providing a collective sense of purpose. Organisations that take their ecological footprint seriously are also more likely to be viewed favourably by customers and clients. All of this can be achieved without compromising on aesthetics, with a ride range of options that are as good looking, as they are responsible.   

If you would like to find out how to transform your office into a sustainable workplace, contact Coulter Office Interiors for a free assessment today on 01772 702555.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Coulter Office Interiors

Latest news

1

Staci snapped up by Belgian group in £1.3bn deal Staci

Staci snapped up by Belgian group in £1.3bn deal

11 Sep 2024

2

Eric Wright Group turnover jumps by more than a third jeremy-hartley-eric-wright-group.jpg

Eric Wright Group turnover jumps by more than a third

09 Sep 2024

3

Second round of Miller Homes Community Fund re-opens In North West Community Fund Launch.jpg.jpg

Second round of Miller Homes Community Fund re-opens In North West

10 Sep 2024

4

Exit planning for success: Why every SME needs a strategy HR Trends from RfM Transform sale.png.png

Exit planning for success: Why every SME needs a strategy

10 Sep 2024

5

A notice to Blackpool businesses paying over 7p/kWh for gas BU SEPT_5.jpg.jpg

A notice to Blackpool businesses paying over 7p/kWh for gas

10 Sep 2024

Bec Email Signature 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2024

Lancashire Built Environment Conference

Conference and Exhibition Centre, Winter Gardens Blackpool, FY1 1HL

08:30 - 13:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 Jun 2024 - 04 Dec 2024

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 16:30

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 1
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
30 Jul 2024 - 08 Oct 2024

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 1

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Corporate Sports Day
CSDCFKsept-02.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
12 Sep 2024

Corporate Sports Day

UCLan Sports Arena, Preston, PR2 1SG

10:30 - 13:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (12).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Sep 2024

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

30 Minutes: Net Zero Introduction for Blackpool Businesses
BU AUGUST_6.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Webinar
12 Sep 2024

30 Minutes: Net Zero Introduction for Blackpool Businesses

Online Event, Blackpool, FY4 1EW

14:00 - 14:30

NLP Diploma Foundations
LBV Hub Seminars
13 Sep 2024 - 15 Sep 0024

NLP Diploma Foundations

Unlocking Possibilities training venue, 166 Waterloo Road , Blackpool, FY4 2AF

09:00 - 17:00

Born Survivor
Born Survivor Socials and Hero-09.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2024

Born Survivor

Gisburn, Lancashire, TBC

07:19 - 07:19

Longridge Soap Box Derby 2024
Screenshot_10-4-2024_144844_static.wixstatic.com.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
15 Sep 2024 - 15 Sep 2024

Longridge Soap Box Derby 2024

Berry Lane, Longridge, Lancashire, PR3 3JA

09:45 - 17:00

Help to Grow Management Course
HTG2.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Sep 2024 - 11 Dec 2024

Help to Grow Management Course

UCLan Burnley Campus , Burnley , BB10 3EF.

09:30 - 14:00

LBV118 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
18 Sep 2024

LBV118 Magazine Launch Event

Blackpool & The Fylde College, Blackpool, FY4 2QS

16:30 - 18:30

30 Minutes: How to decarbonise your business
BU AUGUST_7.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Webinar
18 Sep 2024

30 Minutes: How to decarbonise your business

Online Event, Blackpool, FY4 1EW

10:00 - 10:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV117 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin