10 Steps to a Sustainable Office Design & Fit-Out

1.   Best practice planning

Designing and building - using sustainable materials, making environmentally conscious choices and employing energy saving technologies is now a requirement of office design. Plan your project carefully to maximise space, daylight and the availability of fresh air. Click here to find out more.

 

2.   Implement energy efficiency measures

Have you considered sub-metering of electricity and water, even zonal controls for your heating, ventilation and lighting? Implementing energy efficient technologies will save cost and have less of an environmental impact. Click here to find out more.

 

3.   Understand government & corporate legislation

At the planning stage you must consider legislation. These include Building Regulations, and The EU’s Directive on Energy Performance in Buildings. Plus if you are a public sector organization you need to consider ISO 14001, Carbon Reduction Commitments & DEC’s. Click here to find out more.

 

4.   Involve your employees

‘67% of employees want to help their company reduce carbon emissions but do not know how’ (Carbon Trust Survey). Consider empowering your staff to help reduce energy consumption. This can be in the form of training courses, posters, email bulletins or other communications. Furthermore, ask your employees what they would like to see from the fit-out. Not only will this foster an inclusive culture but you will gain valuable feedback. Click here to find out more.

 

5.   Maximise office comfort

Improving your building’s physical environment will have a number of benefits. Research has shown that people work better in buildings that use increased levels of natural lighting and ventilation. This is because they feel more in control of their environment, more comfortable, more relaxed, more productive and less subject to minor illness and absenteeism. Click here to find out more.

 

6.   Use sustainable materials

The responsible sourcing of materials ensures that you have taken into account the environmental impact of the products that you are going use in your fit-out. Always ask the following questions: What’s the recycled content? Are they locally produced? Can they be recycled or re-used? Click here to find out more.

 

7.   Consider enhanced capital allowances

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA’s) are a straightforward way for a business to improve its cash flow through accelerated tax relief. The scheme encourages businesses to invest in energy saving products to help reduce carbon emissions. Click here to find out more.

 

8.   Consider using BREEAM

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. All public sector office fit outs must be BREEAM certified. Click here to find out more.

 

9.   Be smart with your waste

Initiating an effective waste policy and systems can improve your environmental credentials, as well as, ensure that you deal with your waste properly. Reducing your waste, recycling it properly and reusing where possible will benefit your business and the environment. Click here to find out more.

 

10. Choose the right contractor

Excellent environmental credentials are vital when undertaking a sustainable fit-out, so think carefully about selecting the right contractor. Consider the following questions: Do they take an active approach to sustainability both internally and the services they offer? Can they provide an environmental conscious design service and advice on sustainable materials? Do they have Environmental Management System (EMS)? Do they have in-house Environmental Management Team? Are they officially ISO14001 certified? Can they offer BREEAM fit-out assessments? Click here to find out more.

 

If you would like to discuss a Sustainable Office Fit-Out contact our Environmental Manager - Emma Louise O’Neill on eloneill@cubeinteriorsolutions.co.uk or Tel: 0207 647 5200.