Creating a healthy working environment has become the main focus in today’s working world. This is due to the proven benefits it brings to individual workers and overall business success. One strategy that has become the top choice for many companies is incorporating a sustainable office design. 

Along with helping the environment, sustainability in business will help cut long-term costs, provide a better workplace environment for workers, and ultimately drive business success. In this article, we look at what sustainability means, its benefits, and how to apply it in your office.

What does Sustainability Mean In Business?

At its core, sustainable business practices are those activities and operations that benefit the environment, the people, and society as a whole. There are many ways to incorporate a sustainable approach in your business, such as designing your office with sustainability in mind. So, for example, using energy-saving technologies, environmentally-friendly materials, and incorporating sustainable practices into your company culture. 

Measuring Your Sustainable Efforts

Many businesses are still reluctant to shift their business practices to a more environmentally-friendly approach. This is primarily fueled by the costly upfront cost, the complexity of structuring such changes, and the not-so-clear way of measuring the impact of your sustainable efforts on the environment. While this is true, many have decided to go with the switch because they agree that the benefits of sustainability in business outweigh the initial hurdles. 

In Singapore, the Building and Construction Authority(BCA) and the Health Promotion Board(HPB) have developed a scheme called the BCA – HPB Green Mark for Healthier Workplaces that businesses can follow to help structure a more environmentally-friendly office and track their progress and results. The scheme also includes some criteria to follow, which gives a company a score that corresponds to a Green Mark rating. This will provide a clearer idea of how companies are doing with their sustainable efforts and help find ways to improve if efforts are still short of the goals. 

Designing a Sustainable Office

Shifting to a more sustainable office is not as easy as it sounds. There is the complexity of actually applying the approach. If you are starting from scratch, you’ll have the benefit of locating a LEED certified building that can greatly help you reach your sustainable goals. If you are fitting out your current office, you can still make the change by making some improvements in your office interior design. Below are some ways you can apply to create a more sustainable office. 

Energy-efficient Solutions

One of the primary goals of your sustainability program should be to reduce overall energy consumption. One way to do this in your office is to use energy-efficient equipment such as lighting systems and temperature controls. For example, opt for LED lighting instead of incandescent lights, as the former is more sustainable. Also, make use of natural light to help brighten the room. Open up those windows and let the shine and the natural air in to help regulate the space.

Lighting control technologies should also be at your disposal. Occupancy sensors, dimming systems, and zonal lighting are useful lighting control systems. Furthermore, air purifiers and regulators are crucial in promoting a healthy working environment. To help reduce your energy bills, use biophilia options like plants to improve the air quality in the room and install air temperature control.

Check out our article on the importance of selecting the right office lighting and how to choose the best ones for your workplace. 

Efficient Material Selection

What you include in your workplace will affect the environment. Therefore, choosing the right materials is vital in helping you reach your sustainability goals. From flooring to furniture to other small items you install, make sure to check that they are made from sustainably sourced materials. For instance, carpets are made from a low volatile organic compound(VOC), which is known to help the air quality in the room. Moreover, you can also select products that have sustainability accreditations, such as ECOLOGO, which indicates that the process of making the products was done in compliance to strict environmental criteria.

Biophilic Design

Bringing the outside inside is the main theme of a biophilic design. The goal of this particular design style is to create a working environment that is greener, peaceful, and healthier. This environment is an optimal condition for relieving stress and tension, improving overall health, and boosting work productivity. 

A biophilic design is done primarily by incorporating the elements of nature. So, for example, plants, natural light, water, smell, and textures. 

For more ideas on how to apply a biophilic design to your office, read our article about it here. 

Social Sustainability Approach

Your sustainable strategy should not be limited to the physical environment. Foster sustainable practices in your company’s culture too. Encourage your workforce to implement behaviours that support your sustainability strategy. 

Remind your employees to turn off their equipment such as laptops, workspace lighting, chargers when not in use, and encourage them to use less water. You can also create different programs for your employees to follow, like company-wide recycling programs and carpooling. Another way to motivate your workers to be more sustainable is to give incentives like discounted public transportation passes. 

Redesigning and office renovation require expertise and should not be done without the right team. When it comes to office renovation, including office interior design, office space planning, project management, product selection to execution, the team at SORDC has all that it takes to deliver a successful office renovation project.