Corporate design firms are shifting their design practices to create healthier, vibrant spaces for employees, giving back to Mother Earth by thinking more deeply about what exactly office sustainability looks like when it comes to workplace design.

We will look at the positive impact of sustainable interior design, dive deep into why sustainable interior design is important, and examine some ways to ensure that the interior design within your office workplace can be sustainably-inspired.

What is Sustainable Office Interior Design?

Sustainable office interior design is creating and designing comfortable workplaces for the team members while also being mindful of the environment. At the heart of the sustainable movement is the wellbeing of both employees and the environment — access to light, selection of materials, and efficient space design are some of the core tenets when designing corporate offices.

Why is Sustainable Interior Design Important?

There are many reasons why sustainable office interiors are important for both wellbeing and the environment. Let’s start by looking at the benefits of sustainable office interiors for workers.

As humans in modern society, we tend to spend a lot of our time indoors. Now that the effects of COVID-19 seem long past and offices are gathered full of people again, we’re shifting from spending most of our time in our homes to a balance at our offices. As we spend a large portion of our lives at work, it is vital that space is good for our health. 

Sustainable office design is also effective at improving our physical and mental health, reducing stress for our workforce.

Instead of creating impractical and stark workplaces, designers are now shifting to colours and layouts that bring out natural light and clean lines. It has been proven that working in a space that mimics nature is good for overall well-being, leading to improvements in the worker’s heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. 

Many interior designers focus their work around nature, incorporating designs that reflect the natural world around us. This style of interior design is called ‘Biophilic Design’. This style of design has become increasingly popular, as working from home during COVID-19 has made people keenly aware of how important the outdoors – and nature – are for our health. 

Beyond the environmental benefits of sustainable office interior design, many employers are also making an active choice to shift to sustainable design for the health benefits of their workers alone. Mimicking natural designs such as waves, incorporating plants, and using natural elements such as light and air within the design are all important to our health. 

Sustainable office interior design is extremely important for the environment as it highlights a commitment toward living the values of ESG. The office design is not only environmentally healthy, but it also signals to the people within the company how to best live sustainably. 

Making a statement about the long-term goal of a healthy environment through interior design is important. Using materials and products that do not negatively impact the environment is key. This must also be balanced against the affordability of these resources for clients. As interior design can be complex with many details, sustainable office interiors promise to craft quality solutions that are environmentally friendly.

Sustainable Interior Designer Tips 

There are many ways our interior design concepts for your office can work towards sustainability.

• Maximise the use of space within your office: Ensure that all corners of the office are being utilised to their full potential. Utilising space and office furnishings is extremely important, as it not only allows for more space within the office but also cuts down on construction costs. Instead of single-function spaces, transform often-unused areas into multi-functional spaces. Maximise the usage of shared work desks and craft communal meeting areas. 
• Lush Office Greenery Benefits Productivity and Wellbeing: We don’t get out often enough during the workday, so let’s bring a bit of the ‘outdoors’ inside. Gone are the days of stark light greys and white walls. Top companies across the world are incorporating indoor plants into their office spaces. Office greenery and workplace engagement go hand-in-hand due to our innate human appreciation for nature. — ROI and bottom-line benefits also increase with better productivity when surrounded by office plants. 
• Energy Consumption: When thinking about sustainable office design, it is important to think about energy consumption. Excessive energy consumption within the office can have a negative impact on both human health and the environment. Try to design the space for exposure to natural light, which helps to bring the outdoors in for employees working inside all day. Also, opt for energy-efficient lighting options by using LED lights that use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional lighting. Sensors can be installed that automatically detect when people are in the rooms to reduce energy consumption further.
• Request More Sustainably-Sourced Materials and Furniture: Another way to ensure your interior design is eco-friendly is by using products that are sustainably sourced and made from sustainable materials. This is important as sustainable interior design means being sustainable from design to conception and all stages in between. In addition, you want to ensure that there are low volatile organic compounds as these can affect the air quality within an office space.

Working With a Sustainable Corporate Designer on Your Next Office

When it comes to sustainable office design, there are plenty of things you need to consider on your checklist to create a workspace that is best optimised for your company’s and your employees’ needs. 

In a time where employee satisfaction is at its most important, many companies are paying closer attention to the factors that will help retain employees, such as a culture that walks the talk of sustainability. One of those factors is having an office space that reflects not only the principles of a company but also an office space that welcomes employees each day at work.

We have given you some of the basics to consider, but there are plenty of other design strategies that an experienced design company can bring to the table, such as space division and organisation, optimal layout floor plans, and where to source furnishings, etc.

The primary benefit of working with an interior design firm like Aym Design is that we can assist in creating an office space that will meet your expectations. We will provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your office space. Designing an office space can be very specific, so our interior designer will walk you through the necessary steps to make sustainability a concept and a concrete part of your office space.  Contact our design team today if you have an office interior design project.