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Sustainable design: niche or normal

A decade ago, customers questioned if a furniture product was stackable, demountable and reconfigurable. Today, those features are expected. The big question, and a proper concern, is a manufacturer’s approach to sustainable development. Customers ask questions about how companies are reducing their environmental footprint through facilities and processes, as well as design and packaging and transportation. They want products that can help create healthy work environments and minimize environmental impact.

In the near future, if a company cannot document how its operations and products affect the environment — and the steps being taken to reduce that impact — it will not be able to maintain market position or make it through the RFP process. Government agencies, as well as the architecture and design community, are focusing on greening the office environment. Designers and facilities managers are choosing to specify “green” products and to work with suppliers who have significant environmental initiatives in place. Green has made the shift from a “peripheral movement” to mainstream.

Again, there are generational differences. Millenials and GenX workers do not view sustainable practices as optional, but rather as one of the basic tenets of doing business. They expect the workplace to reflect aesthetic and environmental values; to function well, look great and be healthy, too. Today, green design is a key factor in recruiting talented employees, particularly Millenials and GenX-ers who embrace sustainable thinking and make it a part of their lifestyle outside the office as well.

In many cities, stringent building codes that affect both new construction and renovation have been signed into law. The new codes focus on conserving water and energy, recycling, reduction of carbon emissions and the use of green paints, finishes, carpets and furniture. The number of LEED Gold and Platinum projects is growing as more and more companies are investing in healthy workplaces that can thrive for years to come. The sustainable office requires thoughtful planning and a rich exchange of knowledge and expertise among architects, engineers, designers and product manufacturers, but the payoff is not only greater building efficiency, but also enhanced human productivity and organizational performance. Sustainable choices include furniture that makes efficient use of space and materials and meets guidelines for natural light, unobstructed views and healthy airflow.