By Swaviman Das, Director-Design, Space Matrix
In today’s competitive business environment, success is not just reflected in the corporate
balance-sheets or profit and loss statements. Adhering to the triple bottom line, often
referred to as the three Ps – planet, people, and profit – is a true measure of success and
resilience. Businesses need to take care of the environment, social well-being of their
employees and propel a just economy to stay relevant and add value in a digital-driven
world.
A sustainable workplace is aimed at doing just that –it establishes the goal of balancing the
planet, people, and profit to produce success and viability in the long-term. Closely linked is
the concept of environmentally sustainable design. The latter is nothing but the philosophy
of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the
principles of ecological sustainability and aimed at improving the health and well-being of its
occupants.
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment and promote the
health and well-being of building occupants, thereby improving business performance. The
basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce the consumption of non-renewable
resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Sustainable design principles
While the practical application varies among disciplines, some common principles of
sustainable design are as follows.
Choose non-toxic, sustainably produced, or recycled materials that require little energy
to process
Use manufacturing processes and produce products that require less energy
Reduce consumption and waste of resources by increasing the durability of relationships
between people and products through design
Design for reuse and recycling
Targeted durability, not immortality.
Minimize material diversity in multi component products to promote disassembly and
value retention
Equitable design
Equitable design aims at designing for groups that have been historically underrepresented
and addresses diverse identities, taking into consideration gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity,
nationality, and abilities. Such design should be useful and marketable to people with
diverse abilities and should be based on principles of universal design. For example, a
counter space or desk surface may be raised or lowered to accommodate users of varying
height, or an individual who uses a wheelchair.
An inclusive workplace values individual differences in the workforce and makes everyone
feel accepted. However, the culture must translate within the workplace design, not just in
the workforce itself. Inclusive design can be promoted by undertaking all or some of the
following steps.
Open-plan offices help to boost collaboration, build relationships, and save on costs
Storage units and other equipment with U-shaped handles, push latches, side-hinged
doors and other elements that can be operated with a closed fist.
Versatile and flexible layout that encompasses private rooms and collaborative areas
alongside breakout spaces
Design ergonomically agile workspaces
Create communal areas where employees can relax and be with each other
Include plenty of natural light and biophilic elements to reduce stress levels
Implement acoustic solutions where noise distraction could be an issue
Consider implementing gender-neutral toilets
Include ramps instead in addition to stairs.
Go in for smart technologies and apps that can help staff adjust lighting and heating
as per their own personal preferences
Textural and different coloured walls and surfaces for visually impaired
Ultimately, a sustainable workplace is an empowered workplace. Traditional offices of the
past were usually of uniform environment in which staff was expected to just make the
most of what was available to them. Today, there is a much wider acknowledgement of how
diverse people are and how what might work for one employee might not for another. An
empowered workspace is built around the following essential principles — all about creating
a softer, more adaptable environment with changeable elements which can offer different
experiences for different people. It’s about empowering employees by providing them with
the facilities, resource, surroundings, and culture they need to succeed, and it can be done
in the following ways –
Create a range of different work settings where staff can move between according to
requirement. It may be a collaborative space to brainstorm with colleagues, a privacy
setting for individual focus or a social area where they can relax and rejuvenate.
Create adaptable space division solutions which can be easily moved around to
create micro neighbourhoods if necessary.
Go in for modular furniture which can be reconfigured to cater to the needs and
requirements of those using it.
Have an agile work culture which promotes and encourages the freedom of activity-
based work.
In conclusion, setting up a sustainable, equitable and empowered workplace is all about
creating a softer, more adaptable environment with changeable elements which can offer
different experiences for different people. It’s about empowering employees by providing
them with the facilities, resource, surroundings, and culture they need to succeed.
