Top 6 Sustainable Materials for Eco-Friendly Office Designs
As climate change becomes more of a hot topic, sustainability is becoming a necessity for businesses. And not just in their products or practices but in their office design. Both employees and customers want to see sustainability implemented in office design.
Sustainable office design ideas use eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient solutions to look stylish and on-brand while reducing the impact on the environment.
At Jade Aden Interiors, we are experts at creating unique interior designs that inspire creativity and productivity using sustainable materials. With over 30 years of experience, you can rely on us to create a stylish space that suits your needs. Plus, over these years, we have kept a keen eye on sustainability and eco-friendly materials, as we want to do our bit for the environment.
In this blog, we want to share six sustainable materials that can be used for your environmentally friendly office design.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is an excellent material for your office interior design.
Using reclaimed wood reduces the need for sourcing new timber, conserving forests and lowering carbon emissions in chopping down the trees and transporting the products.
Most of the time, it can be sanded down and repainted, meaning you can refurbish it to match your branding. Alternatively, you can leave it as is for an aesthetically pleasing rustic style, as the textures of the wood bring a natural feel to your office.
Sustainable office design ideas with reclaimed wood include:
- Furniture such as meeting room tables or coffee tables in breakout areas.
- Flooring
- Accent walls, such as panelling or unique features, bring warmth and character.
Recycled Metal
In most offices, you will see a large amount of metal.
Choosing to use recycled metal where possible is another sustainable office design idea as this, similar to reclaimed wood, reduces the need for raw materials, minimising energy consumption to produce and transport it.
On top of this, metal is a durable and long-lasting material, meaning you won’t have to replace them frequently, saving you money too.
Uses for recycled metal include:
- Recycled metal in desks
- Shelving
- Decorative elements for a modern, industrial feel.
Low-VOC Paints
Many people don’t know that there are more environmentally friendly paints available. These are called low-VOC paints (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Usual paint can contain a large amount of these, which emit harmful chemicals. A low-VOC paint option contains less volatile organic compounds, meaning they emit fewer toxic chemicals, improving indoor air quality within the office.
Sustainable office design ideas using these paints include:
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Furniture
Solar Panels
While not a direct decoration material for your office, solar panels are a great environmental solution when completing an office design or refurbishment.
Solar panels use clean, renewable energy to produce electricity, reducing your reliance on fossil fuels to run your office. They make a statement about your commitment to sustainability and can help save money on energy bills.
How can you use solar panels in your office design?
- Install them on your office roof for discrete placement and optimal sunlight absorption.
Cladding for Energy Efficiency
Installing cladding on the exterior of your building is another sustainable office design idea.
There are several materials and cladding types available, some of which are purpose-made to help a building’s energy efficiency. These typically have a layer of insulation which helps prevent heat from escaping the building during the winter and stops heat from getting in during the summer.
Improving energy efficiency using these cladding options will also help you reduce your energy bills, as a comfortable temperature will be maintained, so you won’t need to heat or cool the space as much.
Eco-friendly cladding options for your office design include:
- Recycled metals
- Sustainably sourced wood
LED Lights
Even with large open windows, you are likely to need some artificial lighting in your office – especially for the darker afternoons in the winter.
LED lighting is a sustainable choice for your office design as it consumes less energy. Additionally, they produce less heat and have a longer life span, meaning you won’t be battling the heat output with cooling solutions in summer, and you won’t need to replace them as often as traditional lighting.
Sustainable office design ideas with LEDs include:
- Ceiling lights
- Desk lighting
- Decorative lamps around the office
Professional Help With Sustainable Office Design
Balancing sustainability with a branded look that is functional can be difficult. Jade Aden Interiors are on hand to help.
From full office fit-outs to office refurbishments, we can work with you to design a space that meets your needs, creating a predictive and motivated space with sustainable materials that will reduce your environmental impact and demonstrate commitment to sustainability.
Our team are incredibly eco-conscious and are always looking for ways they can produce unique and branded designs with minimal impact on our environment. Over the 30 years of running the business, we have kept up to date with developments and changes in design practices and materials to offer the best solutions to our customers.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help generate sustainable office design ideas and bring them to life. Call us on 01425 689199 or complete our online contact form to request a callback.