Happy spaces with sustainable office design

Energy-saving LED lights, office plants, honest coffee, recycled paper, optimal acoustics and even bamboo furniture. These are all ingredients for sustainable office design.

Sustainable office design is current for many organizations! It's often associated with sustainable office furniture and energy-efficient equipment. But you can also look further! For example, towards the sustainable employability of employees, climate control, acoustics, environmental impact, new technologies and efficiency.

Sustainable office furniture‍

Sustainable office furniture is, not surprisingly, made from environmentally friendly materials. More and more furniture is produced according to the Cradle to Cradle principle. This already takes into account the possibility of 100% recycling in the design phase of the furniture. The raw materials of Cradle to Cradle products can be easily separated and then reused. Are you going for environmentally conscious? Then choose bamboo in your office design. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and absorbs CO2. Would you like wooden office furniture? Then bamboo is the perfect, sustainable option! But at least opt for eco-labelled office furniture.

8 tips for purchasing sustainable furniture

1. Sustainable office furniture is easy to recognize by the eco-label. Eco-labelled office furniture is completely sustainably produced.
2. Opt for office furniture with a minimum lifespan of 5 years.
3. Is the office furniture used intensively? Then opt for sturdy, durable furniture. Cheap often turns out to be expensive.
4. Don't choose heavier office furniture than you actually need. Light furniture is easier to adjust, move or move than heavy office furniture.
5. Please note that parts, but also colors, of the office furniture can still be ordered in the next 10 years, so you do not have to replace the entire furniture if a part is lost or broken.
6. Limit the number of variants of colors, types and materials so that the new office furniture can be used flexibly.
7. Foldable or stackable office furniture is also a way of being flexible with office design. In addition, foldable or stackable office furniture makes more efficient use of the available space.
8. Opt for office chairs and other office furniture with easy-to-clean upholstery. This means you don't have to replace it immediately when the upholstery has become dirty.

Energy efficient equipment

An energy-efficient computer or refrigerator uses electricity more efficiently, making it better for the environment. In addition, this type of equipment is critically assessed for CO2 emissions. Opting for low-energy equipment seems obvious, but that is far from the case in every organization. For example, a desktop consumes much more energy than a laptop. With energy-efficient equipment, you can also save money.

Sustainable employability of employees

Organizations that pay attention to the health, engagement and development of their employees are well on their way to sustainable employability. The result of sustainable employability is more job satisfaction, less absenteeism and higher work productivity. Sustainable office design with happy spaces contributes enormously to the health, engagement and development of employees. Fresh air, good acoustics and sufficient daylight are essential. And it creates happy faces for your employees!

A plant for the atmosphere

The use of plants provides more oxygen and higher humidity in rooms. The green office plants make us healthier, more productive and reduce stress. They evaporate water and filter the air from dust particles and other harmful substances. Besides the fact that the green office plants make us feel more comfortable, it provides atmosphere and completes the office space.

Activity Based Design‍

Using flexible workplaces and flexible working hours has a positive influence on the environmental impact and the economic return of the office. In addition, when it comes to sustainable office design, it is important that employees know what activities (working together, concentrating, working individually, relaxing, flexible working, etc.) the spaces are intended for. The right mix of spaces based on activity-based design has a positive influence on the sustainable employability of employees.

New technologies

New technologies are an integral part of sustainable office design. The use of these technologies helps to make efficient use of the available time. For example, Microsoft Teams or Zoom for video calls or working 'in the cloud'. Smart document and printing solutions, apps that support the work process, the use of electric cars and the stimulation of the use of public transport are also part of sustainable office design.

Efficiency improvement

In order to increase efficiency towards sustainable office design, issues such as security, lighting, IT and cleaning must be viewed critically. Efficiency also applies to purchasing. Energy, equipment, materials, coffee/tea and furniture: everything can be purchased efficiently and sustainably. Especially when you do it on a large scale.

Do you drink your coffee green?

Coffee is essential in every office. For many people, it is essential fuel and is essential to get through the day. Of course, honest and responsible coffee cannot be missed in a sustainable office space.

Do you want to know more about a sustainable office environment and the multi-space approach? We'd love to have a (green) coffee with you (online or offline). Then take contact with us.

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