Sustainable interior design is one of the buzziest new trends in office interiors, but it can be notoriously difficult to incorporate effectively. To get it right, we should think beyond the obvious to create something enduring for employers and employees alike.

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Understanding sustainable interior design

A common misconception is that sustainability is all about emissions. It’s more accurate, and more helpful, to say it isn’t just about emissions. With the race to net zero in full swing across the globe, there is a danger that organisations get carbon tunnel vision. That is, that they become less concerned with the wider aspects of sustainability when considering sustainable office design. 

Net zero, carbon neutral or energy-efficient strategies should absolutely be a key consideration when designing an office – incorporating environmentally friendly materials, efficient lighting and renewable heat sources – but this shouldn’t edge out others. To holistically incorporate sustainability into your office design, you may want to think about waste, circular economy, and, perhaps the most overlooked area of all, people.

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A sustainable approach to employee wellbeing

Health and wellbeing sit at number three of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, just behind ending poverty and world hunger. That is to say, human wellbeing is sustainability.

This is one of the quirks of interior design: creating something physical to affect something psychological – such as mood – is all part of the process. How a space is constructed can have a real impact on employees’ mental health, so considering how an office ‘feels’ should be a key part of the design.

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‍Sustainability in action: Entain

A good example of this process is reflected in our recent project for global betting and gaming giant Entain, where we transformed their office into a sustainable, inclusive workplace.

Not only did we design it to operate on 100% renewable energy, but we considered how light within the office affected employee wellbeing. By opening up the floor plates with a central amphitheatre, and strategically positioning built rooms closer to the core, the space is now flooded with natural light, which boosts productivity and satisfaction. It doesn’t hurt that energy consumption and costs are far lower too.

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Bringing the outdoors indoors: biophilic and biomimicry design

One of the most exciting trends in sustainable interiors and architecture at the moment is biophilic design, and its near-cousin biomimicry.

We wrote an article giving an in-depth look into the trend, but in simple terms biophilic design is all about bringing the natural world indoors. Whether that’s through verdant foliage spilling from office walls, natural (or implied natural) light pouring through a building, or clever use of space to reflect the vast expanse of the outdoors, the benefits are well documented – improved air quality, reduced stress and a boost to creativity.

Biomimicry is a more involved twist on this trend, where instead of adding small flourishes, we actively mimic the natural world, either in architectural style or through interior design choices. For instance, the elegant patterning of a butterfly’s wing or the iconic spots or stripes of the savannah cat can inspire a revolutionary interior.

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Using biophilic design to transform JTI’s office space

In partnership with JTI, we created a work environment that prioritises their employees’ physical and mental health. We incorporated biophilic design, specifically through elements scientifically proven to reduce absenteeism and enhance work productivity. 

The new space enhances natural light, which stimulates the production of melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep patterns and overall well-being), and we used fractal patterns and shapes inspired by nature to create a serene environment and reduce stress.

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Addressing waste and water

Though it often plays second fiddle to emissions, waste and water management should be a key consideration in any sustainable design project. By contemplating waste generation, recycling and circular design principles, it’s possible to minimise your environmental impact. 

Conservation measures such as installing efficient fixtures, low-flow toilets, rainwater harvesting systems, plus leak detection systems can significantly reduce consumption, contribute to conservation efforts and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to sustainability.

It’s important not to view waste as an afterthought or as something that ‘comes at the end.’ Some of the most substantial reductions occur when you think about waste from the very start, a trend known as: ‘designing for deconstruction.’ Instead of building something and forgetting about it for twenty years, if you use sustainable design principles in your build from the start, you can avoid waste entirely. Consider designing products that can be easily repaired, reusing existing fixtures and fittings, or upcycling and repairing the assets you already have to reduce the unnecessary consumption of virgin materials.

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And, finally, don’t forget the sustainable basics

Of course, it’s important not to forget the tried-and-tested approaches. Materials, efficiency, lighting, ventilation, recycling: all of these are integral to a successful project. As we’ve written before, sustainability as a workplace issue is only becoming more pressing. A recent survey from the Global Impact Investing Network reported 74% of investors now consider (ESG) factors crucial in their decision-making, which means that sustainability isn’t just a passing fad but a trend that’s here to stay for good.

Want to learn more about sustainable design? Talk to one of our experts about how you can start achieving your sustainability goals.