20 environmental focus


Steps to a sustainable office design


Designing a sustainable office not only can save money, but it also increases productivity, improves your company’s image and ensures you comply with legislation. Area Sq specialises in office design and fit-out and advises on sustainability in the workplace – here it shares its top 10 tips on how to achieve a sustainable office design and fit-out


1 Include sustainability in the early design stages of your office


Making environmentally-conscious choices prior to embarking on an office design project will help you save money in the long run so ensure your contractor includes options such as:


• Sustainable materials


• Flexible floor plans which can be rearranged and reconfigured • Layout maximising daylight and fresh air • Recycling points • Eco-friendly furniture. 2 Implement energy efficiency measures Consider:


• Sub-metering electricity and water to allow you to measure energy consumption within particular areas of your office or by particular items of equipment


• Adjusting heating, ventilation and lighting in relation to occupancy patterns


• Installing high frequency lighting • Selecting low-water-use appliances.


3 Adhere to government and corporate legislation and validate environmental credentials


There are new legal requirements to consider, including:


• Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) – a carbon trading scheme for companies spending over £1 million of electricity/year which offer incentives for energy reduction


• Zero carbon policy: all commercial buildings are required to be zero carbon by 2019, therefore only appoint a contractor offering a carbon offsetting facility


• ISO14001: gaining an environmental accreditation will enhance the environmental performance of your workspace and raise awareness of your green credentials. IS0 14001 is the international accreditation for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) which enables organisations to minimise the negative impact of their operations on the environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations.


4 Involve your employees The following will help involve your employees:


• Carrying out a staff survey as part of your office design process to identify employees’ requirements


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• Promoting recycling and energy saving through emails, posters, green bulletins, bin labelling and environmental competitions.


5 Maximise office comfort Ensure wherever possible that design includes:


• Increased levels of natural daylight and ventilation as people in control of their environment are more comfortable, productive and less subject to minor illness and absenteeism


• Air quality control to improve comfort and staff productivity


• Anti-glare measures to prevent excessive heat gain and discomfort when using computer screens.


6 Use sustainable materials


Always ask the following questions: What is the recycled content? Are they locally produced? Can they be recycled or re-used?


• What is the % of recycled resources used in the manufacture of the product?


• Has the product got reduced chemical content, eg low VOC emissions in carpets


• Where is it made? Carbon mileage? 7 Consider enhanced capital allowances


Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA’s) are a straightforward way for a business to improve its cashflow through accelerated tax relief. The ECA scheme encourages businesses to invest in energy-saving products to help reduce carbon emissions, ie:


• Energy saving and water-conservation plant and machinery


• Low CO₂ cars.


8 Consider using BREEAM and Ska ratings


BREEAM (Buildings Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a globally recognised scheme that aims to quantify and reduce the environmental burdens of buildings by rewarding designs that take positive steps to minimise their environmental impacts.


Ska ratings are an environmental labelling method designed to rate and compare the environmental performance of fit-out projects.


9 Be smart with your waste


New waste management regulation means that all businesses have now to consider the hierarchy of waste options open to them –


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prevent, reuse and recycle – before disposing of waste.


Initiating an effective waste policy and systems will benefit your business, the environment and your credentials.


10 Choose the right contractor


Excellent environmental credentials are vital when undertaking a sustainable office redesign and fit-out so consider the following questions before appointing a commercial interiors contractor:


• Do they train their staff and supply chain on environmental best practice?


• Can they provide an environmentally- conscious design?


• Do they have an environmental management system and in-house environmental management team?


• Are they officially ISO14001 certified?


• Can they offer BREEAM fit-out & SKA rating assessments?


About Area Sq


Area Sq is a leading office design and fit-out company, specialising in the creation of innovative, sustainable and inspiring office interiors.


Environmental responsibility underpins its operating principles and its robust Environmental Management System (EMS) has gained it the ISO14001 accreditation as well as being listed in the Sunday Times top 60 UK Green companies where the company came number 1 in the category “making the world greener”.


Area Sq is able to advise and manage the environmental aspect of your office fit-out project and have in-house advisers and assessors to help you achieve BREEAM or Ska ratings.


Area Sq is part of Fourfront Group, one of the UK’s leading commercial interior specialists.


Details: www.areasq.co.uk


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