How to Incorporate Sustainability Into Your Office Design
Pritzker Prize-winning Australian architect, Glenn Murcutt, frequently references this timeless Aboriginal proverb when discussing his architectural philosophy: “Touch the earth lightly.” It’s a profound, elegant principle and one that embodies a deep respect for both nature and design. In today’s world, where sustainable workspace design is becoming increasingly valued, this sentiment rings truer than ever.
Across the US, organizations are embedding sustainability into their processes as a business essential. Strategies such as energy-efficient lighting, biophilic design and the use of responsibly sourced materials are reshaping how companies approach workspace design. Considering we spend an average of 90,000 hours in workspaces over a lifetime, a shift in mindset towards these spaces is highly impactful.
The transition has been significant. Many more companies are now making workspace design decisions with a focus on long-term cost savings, environmental responsibility and employee well-being. We believe that financial efficiency, sustainability and workplace wellness can be seamlessly integrated with a thoughtful approach to strategy, design, material selection and technology integration.
Prioritizing Responsibly Sourced Materials
While sustainable building systems and controls have the greatest environmental impact, thoughtful material selection remains a key factor. Choosing responsibly sourced, recycled and low-emission materials reduces your space’s carbon footprint while improving its long-term sustainability and performance.
Every project contributes to the bigger picture. By prioritizing sustainable options from the outset, your organization can drive a changing narrative for the built environment. The UN Environment Programme reports that buildings and construction account for 37% of global emissions, underscoring the urgent need for more responsible design strategies.
A genuine approach to responsible material selection requires attention to detail. For example, our standard specification of low-VOC paints improves your space’s air quality and reduces your team’s exposure to harmful chemicals.
For companies committed to full-time office attendance, the focus remains on optimizing spaces to support productivity, collaboration and team wellbeing. Meanwhile, a successful hybrid workspace should combine the best aspects of remote and in-office experiences. It should offer flexibility for your teams while maintaining the benefits of in-person collaboration, granting your employees greater autonomy and work-life balance.
Embedding Energy Efficiency at the Core of Your Space
Reducing energy consumption is one of the most effective and measurable means of enhancing the sustainability of your workspace design. It’s also one of the easiest aspects to control, with energy-efficient lighting, smart HVAC systems and passive design strategies reducing carbon footprint while driving long-term cost savings.
In the case of HVAC alone, successful implementation of high-performance control has been shown by the US Department of Energy to reduce HVAC energy use in commercial buildings by 30%. Meanwhile, automated lighting and climate controls are now a standard part of sustainable building design, ensuring energy efficiency through integrated sensors and occupancy-based adjustments. These systems are now often code-mandated in many jurisdictions and their strategic implementation further enhances performance, reduces operational costs, and supports long-term sustainability goals.
The use of glass in a workspace environment can also be transformational in enhancing sustainability and wellness-related factors. Thoughtful interior design choices – such as strategic glass partitioning, reflective surfaces and integrated daylighting solutions – can maximize brightness, reduce reliance on artificial lighting and enhance thermal comfort within a space.
Bring the Outside In with Biophilic Elements
Biophilic design elements represent a science-backed approach to creating workplaces that enhance well-being, productivity and environmental responsibility.
By incorporating living walls and indoor plants installations, your workspace gains a natural air purifier, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Certain plant species can even remove airborne pollutants while providing your teams with a much-desired connection to the natural world.
Aside from living walls and indoor plants, biophilic spaces may incorporate responsibly sourced, renewable materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled textiles. These elements enhance the visual and tactile quality of the office and contribute to lower embodied carbon within the design.
Sustainability Through Our Unified Design-Build Approach
Effective sustainability strategies in workspace design extend beyond materiality and certification. They require efficiency, precision and a streamlined process to minimize waste at every stage. At Formcraft, our unified design-build methodology integrates architecture, interior design, preconstruction and construction under one seamless workflow. This approach enhances project speed and accuracy, where sustainability is embedded from concept to completion.
Our design-build methodology allows for projects to be delivered 25% faster, which translates to fewer emissions from prolonged construction activity, reduced material idling, and optimized labor schedules. Faster timelines also mean businesses can operate in their new, sustainable workspaces sooner, reducing reliance on inefficient legacy offices.
Sustainable Workspaces: It Starts with a Conversation
No two workspaces are the same. That’s why our dedicated Workspace Consultants work with you to create a plan based around your organization’s unique needs: including sustainability commitments. To find out more about how we can create a successful environment with minimal environmental impact, contact us now to organize a free, personalized consultation.
Formcraft: Unified by Design
We’ve assisted businesses and organizations throughout the US in reaching their next milestone. If you’re considering troubleshooting or refining your current approach, let’s talk. To get started, contact us, and one of our workplace strategists will be in touch to organize a free, personalized consultation.