How office design is evolving around ESG principles
Office design is evolving fast. Change has accelerated in the last five years in response to changing working habits including flexible and hybrid arrangements, and to the growing value placed on ESG by companies and their investors which puts an increased focus on employee wellbeing.
Workplaces that are designed around the needs of end users, from incorporating flexible working, meeting and socialising areas to providing end of trip facilities, can play an important role in meeting a company’s ESG targets. It’s clear that today’s office buildings are about more than providing a space to work – they say a lot about the company that calls it home too.
What is ESG and what does it mean in the context of office design?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. It defines the standards businesses use to measure their impact on society and the environment, ensuring they operate responsibly and are accountable and transparent.
It has a broad scope covering almost every aspect of business and workplace facilities are no exception to scrutiny against ESG standards. So, how is ESG shaping our offices and workplaces today?
Environmental
Sustainability is a key aspect of ESG and it demands a long-term approach, considering from the outset the full lifecycle of a space in terms of how it’s built, how it’s used, and how it can evolve in the future. The materials we specify have their part to play in this. We’re seeing more clients who are keen to work exclusively with materials that are responsibly sourced or can be easily reused or recycled to lower the project’s overall environmental impact.
The fact that we manufacture in house means we have greater control over the provenance of the materials we use and we’re working with several innovative suppliers using recycled materials to create stunning new products we can turn into beautiful interiors for our clients in a more sustainable way. We make sure such materials never feel like a second choice – they enhance both aesthetic appeal and environmental impact. It’s about specifying materials that offer longevity and reduce waste.
Beyond calculating the carbon footprint of the fit-out itself, to meet ESG targets designers must also consider how a workspace will be used day-to-day by staff. Including features such as low energy lighting and smart technology will help to reduce its ongoing operational carbon. Similarly supporting staff to opt for more sustainable ways to travel into the office can also reduce its environmental impact.
One practical way of helping to encourage office staff to walk or cycle into work is by providing end of trip facilities. These dedicated shower and changing areas provide everything an end user would need to prepare for the working day post-commute, creating a place of calm to recharge and potentially removing a barrier to those wanting to commute into the office by foot or bike. Working with our partner company, Washroom Washroom, we’ve developed an extensive End of Trip range designed to feel more akin to a luxury health club or boutique gym than an office shower room. The range includes bespoke folding bike lockers, heated lockers, charging lockers and ironing stations, as well as large private showers and changing areas including make-up vanities.
Social
A well-designed office supports the people who use it. What this means in practice is providing a variety of workspaces from quiet zones for focused work to collaborative areas that encourage connection and the sharing of ideas. We’re seeing an increase in demand for individual workspace booths which include acoustic insulation and power outlets, coupled with relaxed breakout areas to allow offices to cater for all. This creates spaces that are suited, not just to different work tasks, but also to the varying needs of individual staff, resulting in a more inclusive working environment.
The way we use different spaces has become more fluid which means office buildings are increasingly including space for staff to socialise as well as work. Providing café style areas where they can meet in a relaxed setting helps foster a sense of community which is especially important in workplaces where teams are no longer in the same location five days a week.
Meeting ESG targets also means ensuring workplaces are inclusive and accessible to all. Including gender neutral toilets in addition to disabled toilets is an ideal way to create an open and welcoming office environment.
We recently conducted a poll which pointed to wellbeing-focused layouts and end of trip facilities as among the top priorities for offices as ESG continues to shape current and future office design. Whether including varied working and meeting spaces or developing a basement area into a stylish end of trip facility, our expert team can deliver workplace interior fit-outs that tick all the boxes for employees, building owners and investors.
