Our recent post about biophilia is a great introduction to introducing nature to your office, but what about protecting nature in your office? Sustainability should be at the forefront of our minds when designing a new office. Here at Bluespace we take pride in considering every aspect of an office design and the impact each will have on the environment, both in the short and long term. Having a sustainable office is more than just taking on sustainable practices such as using sustainable supplies or recycling your waste. We’ve collated our best advice on how you can ensure that your office is not only good for you, but the best it can be for the planet.
Office Furniture
The first step you can take is to ensure you responsibly source furniture. Many of our favourite suppliers such as Orangebox and furniture specialists Herman Miller are dedicated to ensuring that when designing and producing their products they’re being conscious of the effect they will have on the environment. This includes reducing waste and excess materials and creating long lasting furniture. When trying to think sustainably, it’s easy to only focus on what happens to our furniture once we’re finished with it, but brands are beginning to understand the importance of responsibly sourcing their materials.
Alongside this, consider the longevity of your furniture. Choose furniture that will not only last visually, but will remain sturdy and reliable for years to come. For example, many people say that once you buy a Herman Miller chair you will have it for life – this is due to their exceptional quality and longevity. If you still feel as though you will want to update your office’s look regularly, choose materials that can be reused or will not be as harmful to the environment if thrown away and are sourced locally where possible.
Timeless Designs
When thinking of a concept for your workspace, be mindful of trends – try and avoid opting for designs that will be dated and out of fashion in a matter of months. Instead choose timeless and classic designs that will age well. This will eliminate waste created by the need or desire to frequently replace furniture to keep up with trend cycles. You should also consider how adaptable your space is, recent months have shown how quickly office spaces need to adapt to current situations, so creating a space that is not fixed but versatile will increase the longevity of your office. Try to incorporate easy to clean surfaces too, this will mean you can keep the space looking fresh for a longer period of time.
Wildlife Conservation
It’s always a great idea to have an outdoor space for your employees to use to unwind, getting some fresh air is always a good way to relax and unwind. When creating an outdoor space for your employees, be mindful of the ways in which they impact the existing space. Some great ideas are to include some bird feeders, bee villages and retain as much of the natural habitat as possible. Your space belonged to the wildlife long before it belonged to you, so you should respect that and incorporate it within your garden space and work harmoniously with nature.
Lighting & Energy
You should opt for eco-friendly light bulbs and use natural light wherever possible. Not only is natural lighting great for creating a motivating work environment, but it means you can reduce the amount of energy required to light the office. Try opting for motion sensor lighting, so when unoccupied your business is not wasting energy and make sure the lighting is strategically placed to get the most out of it. Ensuring your office is energy efficient is vital also, try looking into environmentally friendly heating systems such as ground and air source heat pumps. If these aren’t viable options, make sure your workspace is fully insulated and has double glazing to ensure heat is retained during the colder months. Alongside this, you could look into solar energy, and opt for a renewable energy source, this is a great investment and will help the planet. One of the most energy consuming devices within an office is the kettle, so perhaps opt for a hot tap to rectify this, take a look at the Hotspot Titanium Tap we integrated within one of our recent office designs.
Company Culture
Emphasise the importance of sustainability within your business, try setting up goals for your employees with reward systems or perhaps organise days for beach clean ups. Getting your staff involved and passionate about sustainability will help the wider fight against global warming and create a greener, more sustainable future.
If you’re interested in an office redesign, or ways we can help you create a sustainable, environmentally friendly office space get in touch today on 01603722123 and arrange a free, non obligation consultation.