Is your new office fit out sustainable?
With £6.5 billion spent every year on office fit outs, creating sustainability is becoming increasingly important. Could your office benefit from a green upgrade?
With companies fostering their environmental consciousnesses, the importance of sustainable office resources is coming to the fore. When refurbishing or moving office you should consider whether your company can take steps towards becoming more eco-friendly and explore the options of a sustainable fit out.
Some aspects of sustainability that you may wish to take a closer look at include:
- BREEAM rating – this is the BRE Environmental Assessment Method which gives international buildings a rating according to their green credentials. Assessment can be carried out on new builds, major refurbishments and office fit outs and a rating can lend real kudos to your company.
- Recycling – aside from the feel-good factor of saving the planet, separating your office waste materials in an efficient recycling system can save resources and help your company become more socially and environmentally responsible.
- Carbon neutrality – many companies are looking to reduce their carbon emissions or offset them in some way. This needs to be considered prior to drafting your design plans.
- Energy saving – installing energy-saving systems, air con, heating and lighting can save your business money. So be sure to explore your options before you unwittingly commit to an energy inefficient system as part of your fit out.
- Materials – utilising eco-friendly, recycled or even reclaimed materials are all sensible ways of implementing sustainable office design. Particularly useful to consider if you require new furniture for your build and are looking to go green.
Cutting energy bills and helping the environment are the obvious perks to going eco-friendly in the office, but studies have also suggested that the incidence of sustainability could increase productivity and contentment in the workplace. So what are you waiting for? Go green and make moving office a beneficial transition for your company.
