In the present day, sustainability has become a major objective for businesses in almost all industries. Hence, space design professionals need to create and design concepts and spaces with a predominant focus on sustainability for the environment, the space being designed and the occupants of the space.
When space designers design a concept, they strive to ensure
the lowest possible environmental impact, reduce the carbon footprint, and use
recycled materials. The Space Design industry today is already quite dedicated
to this cause and ensures that sustainability prevails in their creations.
What is
Sustainability in Space Design?
Sustainability in design can be explained as the use of
materials and objects that adhere to principles of economic and ecological
sustainability, with the major focus being on the latter. Another aspect of
sustainability in space design is the longevity of the designs - think of
timeless spaces that persist over time - thus avoiding renovation and
redecoration of the space every few years.
The Environmental Protection Agency considers indoor air pollution as one of
the top 5 threats to public health. This has come about due to the use of
materials and products with a high level of toxic emissions. Hence, it is
important for space designers to create and design concepts that are not only
exceptional but also do not harm the planet.
How to Implement
Sustainable Space Design?
The main goal of sustainability in space design is to be
environmentally friendly, use recyclable materials and reuse materials that
might originally be single-purpose. The concept of sustainable design has now
become a trend in this industry.
The characteristics of sustainable space design are:
●
Reduction of environmental impact
One of the avenues of reducing polluting emissions into the environment is to
use raw materials that do not exploit natural resources.
●
Improved energy efficiency
Sustainable space design that is responsible in regards to greenhouse gas
emissions must meet certain prerequisites such as favouring natural light,
reducing energy consumption and using colours that reduce the need for
artificial lighting.
●
Promotion of recyclable and reusable materials
Our circular economies have been reasonably effective at extracting reusable
and recyclable materials from waste and scrap for greatly reduced environmental
impact. Therefore, it is imperative for space designers to use these reusable
elements and recyclable materials when designing spaces.
●
Creation of healthy spaces
Another element of making space design sustainable is to prioritise the
creation of healthy spaces. Quite often, the chemicals used in the creation of
space design elements can be harmful to the environment as well as people’s
health. Great space design strives to create healthy and natural spaces that
are free of pollutants and allergens and are easy to clean and maintain.
Sustainable Materials
for Space Design
Sustainable space design materials not only lower your
ecological footprint but also add an earthen feel to your spaces. The elegant
look that these materials bring to a space might surprise you!
Some of the best sustainable space design materials are:
●
Recycled steel
Steel created from recycled materials uses 75% less energy than that
created from raw materials.
●
Sheep’s wool
This is a sustainable and swiftly renewable resource.
●
Reclaimed wood
Using reclaimed wood reduces the demand for fresh wood.
●
Bamboo
Bamboo is 100% biodegradable, antibacterial and eco-friendly. It also grows
back quickly within 3-5 years.
●
Cork
As only the bark of the tree is scraped off to harvest cork, the tree is
not cut down and continues to grow, making it a renewable resource.
●
Straw bales
These take negligible energy to manufacture and can be considered a renewable
material. Straw bales are often used as bedding.
●
Organic cotton
It is cultivated without the use of herbicides, pesticides and other
chemical fertilisers. This has immense health and environmental benefits.
●
Felt
This is a textile that is manufactured by matting, condensing and pressing
fibres together. It has a low environmental impact and is completely
biodegradable. It is generally used to make drapes and furniture.
●
Jute
Jute grows quickly within 4-6 months. Similar to bamboo, it is an efficient
source of renewable material. Jute also absorbs carbon dioxide and releases
oxygen much faster than trees. It is generally used in making rugs.
Conclusion
Recycling resources, materials and waste is an integral part
of sustainability because it ameliorates the negative impact on the environment
and helps preserve natural resources. A renowned space design agency like Interics INSpaces can
help you accomplish this in your spaces.
With over 34 years of operations under its belt, INSpaces - an accomplished exhibition stall design agency - has the authentic expertise and an illustrious track record in office branding, brand experience centres, tech centres and other space design jobs. When it comes to environmental graphic design, we are the corporate branding agency that culminates projects to transform your office premises into a physical manifestation of your brand. This makes sure that when employees and visitors enter the spaces, they walk through your brand. With a strong blend of graphic design, interactive design and 3D design, INSpaces uses the holistic package to tell a story that extends and elevates your brand experience and kindles a distinct, impressive and inviting experience.
Have a look at INSpaces’ splendid portfolio at www.smartexhibitiondesign.com
