The demand for office and commercial space is only growing by the day – yet company carbon footprints are shrinking. That’s because going green is more than just a flash-in-the-pan trend. Consumers are becoming more environmentally-conscious, and implementing eco-friendly and sustainable solutions and practices in our everyday lives is now a necessity, not a trendy preference. It has become a prerequisite for all companies to establish ethical business practices to do their part to save the environment.
But it’s not just about preserving and repairing the earth. Implementing sustainable and eco-friendly fit out solutions in your workspace will have the added benefits of saving your company money as well as boosting employee productivity, creativity, health, and wellbeing. Going green is a win-win solution for everyone involved. Here’s how to achieve a sustainable office fit out in Dubai:
Install Energy-efficient Solutions & Technology
The digital era has brought with it many creative technological advancements that can help your company go green. Smart solutions like high-quality sensors, solar panels, water-saving features, LED lighting, and technology that monitors everything from the HVAC system to the coffee machine ensure that no unnecessary energy and water goes to waste. Installing these effective green solutions optimize your building’s energy efficiency.
Heating and ventilation are major contributors to high-energy usage in the office. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce consumption and save money without compromising on employee comfort on hot or cold days. There are many other greener options available to maintain a comfortable temperature within the office, from innovative glazing to technological solutions. Proper use of insulation in exterior walls and allowing for plenty of natural ventilation wherever possible are just two ways that you can avoid over-reliance on inefficient HVAC systems.
Incorporate Biophilic Designs
Naturally, a greener office would involve some actual greenery. Biophilic designs are more than just an aesthetic trend to beautify the workplace. In addition to being a more sustainable and eco-friendly design, introducing natural elements into the office has been proven to have a positive impact on employee productivity, health, and wellbeing. Just by adding indoor plants, water fountains, living walls, more earth tones, and maximizing natural light in workspaces has an endless amount of benefits that are great for you, your company, your employees, and the environment.
Eco-friendly Furniture
Creating a more sustainable work environment means refurbishing your office space to be eco-chic. Carbon-neutral furniture can be cost-effective, eco-friendly, and aesthetic. Organic design elements like bespoke reception counters made of upcycled tiles, conference tables made from reclaimed wood, and 100% recyclable plastic chairs can be incorporated into your office design to be more green.
Office partitions are a great way to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and make the workspace more functional and flexible. Partitions are a cost-effective option – with minimal wastage potential – that allows for endless customization of the office layout. Custom-built partitions can be made with recycled or sustainable materials like bamboo, glass, and wood to make for an easy and effective solution that can be integrated into any existing space. Be sure to decorate your partitions in stimulating colors to boost creativity and productivity. Or create a living wall with moss or ivy on your office partitions for an effortless biophilic design.
Use Non-toxic Paints & Renewable Materials
The psychology behind the use of color in interior design is well researched and documented. Colour plays a big role in the workplace and has been proven to influence our moods and feelings. When decorating the walls in vibrant colors to stimulate your employees, be sure to keep their health in mind by using low- or non-toxic paints that carry a green certification. Conventional paints are made up of harmful, toxic compounds which vaporize the air and contribute to atmospheric pollution. Using these paints puts your employees’ health at risk and is damaging to the environment. Most toxin-free paints available today offer performance and service that matches that of conventional paint, with some brands possessing antimicrobial properties which are resistant to scrubbing and staining.
And lastly, make sure to use renewable materials throughout the entire office fit out process. Your fit out contractor should work with a fully sustainable supply chain and favor the use of naturals resources and recyclable materials. Glass, bamboo, timber, and metals are just a few natural materials that can be renewed and recycled. Be sure to implement them wherever possible around the office space.
Do your part to save the environment by turning your office into an eco-friendly and sustainable workspace. Get in touch with Contractors.Direct and connect with quality contractors who can make your building LEED-certified and help your company go green.
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