Once upon a time, sustainability wasn’t a top priority in the construction sector. Today, that’s all changed – and even includes eco-friendly office fitouts.
A growing number of people are becoming aware of the fact that sustainability improves the quality of our lives, protects our ecosystem and preserves natural resources for future generations. In the corporate world, sustainability is also associated with an organisation’s holistic approach to their business operations and takes into account everything from manufacturing to logistics to customer service.
What’s more, is that sustainable building practices are also on the rise. The carbon footprint of a brand not only has a big role to play in their monthly expenses, but a growing number of employees and customers alike are paying attention to a company’s ethics and if they’re doing their part to help save the planet.
Despite this, eco-friendly office fitouts go far beyond simply adding a recycling bin to the break room. If your brand or business is on the move to a new building or your existing one is in dire need of a facelift, there’s never been a better time to incorporate measures to address sustainability – but what exactly do these types of features look like?
Five Sustainability Features To Include In Office Fitouts
Research prepared by Deloitte and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2017 found that 64% of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region are willing to spend more on products produced by companies committed to social responsibility. As such, specifically including eco-friendly aspects in an office refit is not only an effective tool to appeal to new customers, but it could also help to lower your outgoings as well.
Carbon Neutral Materials – Carbon emissions from certain building materials have been known for causing negative effects on the atmosphere. By incorporating materials that do not emit a high amount of carbon such as ‘green’ steel and concrete and alternative products such as geopolymers, your brand is already eco-friendly before you even start work for the day.
Pursue Energy Efficiency – In commercial office environments, energy efficiency goes far beyond simply turning off a computer at the wall when the work is done. Instead, aim to buy electrical equipment and appliances with energy efficient features such as power saving mode, and pay attention to your insulation to cool or heat the office selectively.
Use Cloud Technology – Even in today’s digital economy, it’s amazing to learn just how much paper gets used in a typical office. In many cases there are more environmentally-friendly alternatives, such as using cloud based technology for document and file storage that can be accessed from anywhere, and effectively eliminates the need for paper.
Embrace Natural Light – Lighting accounts for more than 30% of the average commercial tenancy’s power consumption, even for those who have already taken energy efficient steps towards swapping to LEDs. The solution? Aiming to include as many windows and skylights as possible in an office refit as this can significantly reduce the need for lighting at the source.
Bring The Outdoors In – According to a study by UTS Sydney2, having indoor plants in the office could reduce stress and negative mood feelings by over 40%. While green additions like potted plants, hanging gardens, living walls or even an edible garden into your office space not only looks great, they can also improve air quality in the office and boost productivity.
If you’re moving forward with a new office fitout for your brand or business, try to remember that it’s unlikely that we’ll be going back to the way things were before – if we ever do. Along with not getting left behind, adding green upgrades to address sustainability during office fitouts is a simple way to wow your clients, visitors and customers while cutting down on expenses over the long term.
Partner With The Experts On Office Fitouts
Whether you’re considering a residential or commercial facelift, it’s always important to speak to a professional before you start tearing down a wall or two. In operation for over ten years, Brisbane based Kibo Constructions believe that quality, reliable workmanship with an honest approach shouldn’t be the exception to the rule.
With a wealth of experience in office fitouts already under our belts, our in house joinery provides access to having your very own custom home furniture and features such as tables, desks, shelves and drawers to fit any space or design requirements necessary. By working closely withour clients, we ensure that the entire process is both a transparent and enjoyable experience from start to finish.
If you know that there’s an upcoming project for you, your brand or your business, we would love the opportunity to provide a quote – you might be pleasantly surprised at the result. As we specialise in commercial, hospitality and residential fit out options in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, please get in touch to discuss how we can bring your vision to life.