Looking to boost the sustainability credentials of your office?
You’re not alone. 75% of CEOs told KPMG that their organisations had increased their investment in a greener future (20% reporting a significant increase) - and little wonder given the results of recent consumer and employee surveys.
For B2C businesses, Simon-Kucher’s Global Sustainability Study 2024 gave a clear message - consumers, even those concerned by affordability, are increasingly prioritising sustainability.
And stats collected in last year’s Design of the Workplace report* were enough to make any employer up their office sustainability game:
- 93% of office workers feel happier working in an environmentally friendly office, with 90% believing a sustainable workplace is good for both their own wellbeing and for the planet.
- 81% believe their company should be run in a climate-conscious and sustainable way.
- 35% of age 18–20 would consider leaving if their employer didn’t demonstrate a commitment to sustainable initiatives.
- 24% feel their mental and physical health is impaired by a workplace that is not environmentally friendly.
- * From the “Design of the Workplace” report 2023 by Brookfields and Foster + Partners
With the long-term benefits of sustainable office design ranging from energy savings and reduced operational costs to improved employee health and productivity, there’s no doubt that sustainable workspaces aren’t just better for the planet - they’re better for your business too.
But where to start?
We love delivering stylish, out-of-this-world office designs with sustainability at their core - so we thought we’d share 4 actionable ways to help you be more eco conscious with your workspace design.
From net-zero furniture and SKA ratings to biophilic elements, let’s dive deeper…
Design Tonic X Phoenox Textiles - Sustainable Office Design in action, from furnishings to fit out
1. The Sustainability Impact of Furniture
Why do people overlook the eco impact of furniture so often?
Furnishings play such a pivotal role in office design, but it’s important to look beyond aesthetics to consider the sustainability of materials and manufacturing processes - because choosing eco-friendly options has the power to significantly reduce your overall carbon footprint.
And it’s a relatively simple way to demonstrate your sustainability to employees- around half of whom told PLAY’s Corporate Climate Crisis survey that they “felt eliminating the use of unsustainable materials” was the most effective way that their organisation could improve their environmental impact.
What should you be looking for?
Look for furniture companies who:
- Take the full lifecycle of their products into account.
- Continually look to reduce waste and pollution across their manufacturing processes.
- Choose their raw materials carefully.
- Employ eco-conscious production methods, with a policy of continual improvement to their ISO4001 Environmental Management System.
- Are certified by trusted regulatory bodies like FSC®, FISP and FIRA.
- Are local to you.
Who do we turn to for our clients?
We’re proud to partner with Elite Furniture, a company local to us who are deeply committed to protecting the environment and achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
Their exceptional range of sustainable and stylish furniture is only available to trusted partners (like us :), meaning our clients get the full benefit of our partnership with exclusive furniture options that don’t just meet the highest environmental standards - they also bring incredible design flair to any workspace.
Love to explore a Design Tonic X Elite Furniture transformation for your workspace?
Beyond sourcing?
Businesses can easily embrace the principles of the circular economy by repurposing existing furniture, choosing pieces made from recycled or recyclable materials and, perhaps most important of all, investing in furniture designed for durability and longevity.
This curbs the need for frequent replacements - and all the waste and environmental impact associated with repeated disposals.
Design Tonic X Kinrise Real Estate - A 101 in choosing sustainable materials
2. Choosing Sustainable Materials in Design
Of course, there’s more to a workspace than its furniture, and making sustainable choices across all your materials is a fundamental part of achieving an eco-friendly workspace.
We’ve long been committed to using eco-friendly, durable materials that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the exceptional style people expect from a Design Tonic space.
So we were delighted to work with Kinrise Real Estate again, with a brief to deliver a standout, SKA-rated space where sustainability was a core focus.
All about SKA ratings
Developed by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), an SKA rating evaluates the sustainability of office fit-outs.
Unlike other certifications like BREEAM or LEED, which assess entire buildings, SKA targets the fit-out process alone - which makes it a flexible standard for businesses looking to improve their office interiors.
To achieve a rating, designers and developers must focus on minimising the environmental impact of a building's interior during renovations or new projects.
Projects are assessed against 100+ measures, covering everything from energy efficiency and water conservation to waste management and materials sourcing - then projects are classified into one of three categories - Gold, Silver and Bronze - based on the level of sustainability achieved.
And why is it good for business?
Getting a high SKA rating doesn’t just improve a business’s environmental footprint, it also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that appeals to consumers, clients and employees.
And, for those looking to rent a space out to tenants, it will also help you command a higher rent - good news all round!
Choosing sustainable materials - what to look for
The Kinrise project required careful selection of sustainable materials throughout the design and fit-out process and, like furniture sourcing, that means you should seek out certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), ensuring that any wood used comes from responsibly managed forests.
Reclaimed wood and recycled metals are excellent choices, offering both sustainability and unique character to the space.
For sustainable designs, we love to work alongside a building’s original features, enhancing and accenting to make the most of all available biophilic elements (more on biophilia below!), including light and spaciousness.
Natural materials like cork and bamboo are not only renewable but also highly durable, making them ideal for modern office flooring and partitioning - these are materials which don’t just minimise environmental impact, they also contribute to the overall look by bringing their natural texture and tactility into the workspace.
And, to further support long-term sustainability goals on the materials front, choose low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and finishes to ensure better air quality, and contribute to a healthier working environment.
Design Tonic X White Rose Education & Inc Spaces - moss walls and draping greenery show biophilia in action
3. Biophilic Design for Health and Sustainability
Biophilic design, or incorporating natural elements into the built environment, is a hallmark of sustainable office design - and of a Design Tonic space!
For years, we’ve taken a biophilic approach to creating our out-of-this-world workspaces - working to connect our clients with nature, reduce their energy consumption and enhance the wellbeing of their workforces.
And it’s not just about looking pretty.
Yes, biophilic design is pleasing on the eye, but it also plays a key role in reducing your office’s reliance on artificial lighting, heating and cooling systems - saving energy, and boosting your bottom line.
Design Tonic X Pawsome Paws Boutique - Faux Florals for the win
Design Tonic’s Biophilic Design Checklist for Sustainable Offices
Want to bring in a little biophilia to promote a healthier, more eco-conscious workspace? Here’s our 6-point checklist:
1. Natural Light
- Maximise natural light by placing workstations near windows.
- Use reflective surfaces to bounce light around.
- Incorporate light wells or skylights where possible.
2. Greenery and more greenery
- Add a mix of indoor plants to improve air quality and aesthetics.
- Consider plant walls or vertical gardens for larger spaces - moss is great for this.
- Choose low-maintenance plants that thrive indoors (succulents, ferns and moss are brilliant).
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3. Natural Materials
- Use natural materials like wood, stone and cork for flooring, walls and furniture.
- Opt for FSC-certified or reclaimed wood for sustainable sourcing.
- Bring in textures inspired by nature to conjure a connection to the outdoors.
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4. Views of Nature
- Wherever possible, workspaces should be placed to enjoy direct views of the outdoors, whether that’s gardens and greenery or city life.
- Use large windows or glass partitions to maintain open sightlines to the outside.
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5. Airflow and Natural Ventilation
- Design your floorplans to maximise natural airflow.
- Wherever possible, fresh air through operable windows is still the best way to go (unless it’s one of those rare UK hot spells!).
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6. Biomorphic Patterns and Forms
- Integrating nature-inspired patterns, colours or shapes into your office design is a wonderfully simple way to bring extra calm to your space - as is…
- Using artwork or décor that reflects natural themes and palettes.
Why do we love biophilic design so much?
We love biophilia because it helps us create beautiful spaces that feel more alive, more connected to the environment and more fulfilling for everyone who works there.
DesignTonic X Caddick Construction - LED lighting meets biophilic design meets bespoke joinery = office perfection
4. Sustainable Lighting and Smart Tech considerations
For any office, lighting is one of the most energy-consuming elements - but it is possible to reduce this significantly with a bit of clever consideration and smart tech.
We’ve already talked about maximising natural light sources - it’s a key part of biophilic design.
But even with the biggest windows, most offices are going to need artificial lighting, and that’s where energy-efficient options like solar energy and LED lighting come into play.
For any new refit, it’s always a great idea to look into all the ways you can improve your workspaces’ energy efficiency - it might even be possible to run on 100% green energy with your own renewable sources, like solar panels and wind turbines.
LED lights are a no-brainer when it comes to lighting.
Consuming far less energy than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs, they’ve also got a much longer lifespan and can even mimic natural light.
Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to use within the kinds of smart lighting system we love to specify for our clients - the ones which automatically adjust based on the natural light available and the people in the space, saving energy while also enhance employee comfort by making sure the lighting on offer is always perfect for the task at hand.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that improving the sustainability of your office design will improve your bottom line - in lots of ways!
Eco-friendly workspaces aren’t just a trend, they’re a smart, long-term investment with benefits for everyone - from your business to your employees to the planet.
By consciously choosing furniture and sustainable materials, designing in biophilic elements and incorporating energy-efficient lighting systems, you’ll be creating an office that enhances employee wellbeing, reduces operational costs and meets the growing demand for climate-conscious business practices.
At Design Tonic, we’re experts at delivering sustainable, stylish office designs tailored to your needs.
Whether you're looking to incorporate eco-friendly materials, biophilic elements, energy-saving solutions or any other sustainable design elements, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to make your workspace greener and more efficient? Let our experienced team guide you - get in touch today!
