Our top 5 sustainable design features of 2021

Sustainable design considers the environmental, social, and economic impact of the space. The way we use our workspaces has significantly changed in 2021, prompting noteworthy design changes. With the importance of sustainable design playing a large role in these changes, we have taken a look back over the year at our favourite design features.

Biophilic design

Biophilic design brings the outside in by introducing nature to the indoor space. Natural features, such as water, plants, and sunlight are incorporated into the design to provide the same mental and physical benefits one would experience outdoors. These natural elements not only offer health benefits but also provide natural alternatives to unsustainable design elements:

• Including plants into your interior design can improve the air quality by acting as natural antibacterial air purifiers
• Utilising natural light within your space will reduce the need for excess artificial lighting and the carbon footprint that comes with it.
• Water can be introduced into a space through water features, providing air purifying and antibacterial properties, or in water filters or dispensers to eliminate the need for plastic water bottles and other unnecessary waste.

Reclaimed Materials

Adopting a circular approach to design has resulted in many designers working with reclaimed materials. As well as resulting in unique and interesting design results, the use of reclaimed materials highly reduces waste and carbon emissions related to the interior design. Preventing existing materials from going to landfill and eliminating the waste and emissions created when making new materials has a significant impact on the overall sustainability of the design. The use of reclaimed materials can also have a significant impact on the budget of a fitout; this feature is a significantly more economical alternative for a fitout.

Flexible workspaces

Flexible working has gained relevance in 2021 as the pandemic has greatly influenced the way people use space. Creating a flexible environment will support the longevity of the space by being easily adaptable and underpinning many aspects of the changing surroundings. Sustainable design involves creating spaces for the future, that will provide a social benefit as well as benefiting the environment. Flexible workspaces are a design feature that focuses on the social pillar of sustainability- creating spaces that will last and support those who use them.

Energy efficient lighting

The environmental benefits of utilising more sustainable methods of lighting are higher than you would initially think. As well as utilising natural light (as mentioned previously in this article), simple changes to LED lighting and automated lighting systems will help reduce the amount of energy being consumed and the levels of wasted energy. Built in PIR sensors and zonal lighting are also energy efficient lighting options to create more sustainable spaces. These environmental lighting methods also support the economic pillar of sustainability as they have significantly longer lifespans than other alternatives.

Upcycling

Second-hand materials and products are becoming increasingly popular in all areas of design. Reusing and upcycling existing products greatly reduces the carbon footprint of the interior fitout and provides a unique design to the space, a feature gaining increasing value. By upcycling a product, you are eliminating the carbon footprint associated with the manufacture, and disposal that comes with a brand new alternative. Upcycling is a significantly more economic alternative as it eliminates the costs associated with creating new products.

To find out more about sustainable design and how design and construction industries can improve their environmental footprint download our Whitepaper document and join the conversation.

At Resolution Interiors we can help you turn your current workspace into a sustainable environment that works for you and your team. Our team can guide you through the design and installation process seamlessly and ensure that you create a space that will support your sustainable goals.
Need to get your office up to date? Get in touch with our team to discuss your project.