How sustainability can shape the “Bricks” of your future workspace

So how can our office workspaces, that is, the “Bricks” part of “Bricks, Bytes and Behaviors” become an important pillar of sustainability initiatives of an organization? And how can office spaces and locations align sustainability commitments with corporate identity, strategy and workplace culture?

Understanding the purpose

While looking at the office spaces, the most important aspect is to precisely understand the purpose of the building. One needs to understand the ambitions of the company, the workforce strategies and the organization’s culture. Different types of organizations will have different needs. For example, the needs of a service-based organization may be different from the needs of a manufacturing company. Also, in the post covid era, workplaces need to incorporate the required flexibility with people working from home and in hybrid modes. A long-term perspective must be considered in determining the overall purpose of the infrastructure. Once the purpose of the workplace is clear, various optimizations such as site, locations, strategies and layout can be planned. 

Earning the commute

The concept of “earning the commute” encapsulates the idea that the office should be so purposeful and attractive that employees are willing to make the journey to the office. This ties back to the notion of a destination office where workplace becomes a hub of collaboration, communication and building networks.

In addition, the location of office building is very important not only in terms of what it signals about the company but also from a sustainability perspective. If an office is far off in the countryside without connections to public transport, employees will have to take their own cars. However, if location is suitable from a public transport and accessibility perspective, the commute is made easier for employees while the carbon footprint of commute is drastically reduced. 

Also, if offices are close to business hubs, visiting client locations will require travel over shorter distances, helping business strategically as well as in terms of sustainability.

Filling the office

Purchasing new furniture to fill office spaces has a very substantial environmental impact. Due consideration needs to be given to the lifespan of office furniture, encouraging a balance between purchasing new items and renovating existing ones. This approach not only contributes to environmental conservation but also maintains an appealing and fresh office environment for employees. 

The discussion expands to the importance of strategic choices in furniture selection, emphasizing the need to avoid items that quickly go out of fashion. The adoption of a forward-thinking approach involves investing in furniture from suppliers who work actively to reduce the emissions in production, and choosing products that can be refurbished or refinished to extend their lifespan and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, companies should explore the possibility of short-term or long-term leasing of furniture, contributing to a circular economy.

Sustainable office spaces

When making something sustainable, it is important to understand that sustainability is not just about greenhouse emissions. Several factors contribute to sustainability, ranging from chemical content to selecting the right materials and technology. There are several environmental certifications which can be utilized to drive best-in-class sustainability. 

Efficient utilization of office space is also equally important. Offices with lots of empty spaces require construction of more buildings for a given population size, resulting in increased environmental impact. When looking for additional office space, it is always important to check if there is any existing space that can be used or carefully renovated to achieve desired outcomes. 

Walking the talk: EY Stockholm office

In March 2021, the EY organization’s Stockholm office moved into its environmentally certified premises at Hamngatan 26, and in a year, achieved a 70% reduction in total energy consumption for its Stockholm employees. This achievement resonates with EY team’s vision of being a leading knowledge-based company, where technology, working methods and sustainability converge. In addition, a 50% reduction in square meters showcases optimization and multifunctionality. Opting in on a LEED Platinum certified building and driving purposeful and well-considered continuing innovations, underscores the organization’s dedication to sustainability, mirroring the overarching strategy to become carbon negative by 2025. 

Contact us today to learn how you can successfully integrate sustainability into your Future of Work strategy.