StepChange isn't just about advocating for a sustainable future, we’re about living it. Our recent office move presented us with a prime opportunity to integrate eco-conscious design principles, and we're thrilled to share the results.
We're thrilled to share the eco-conscious features we've incorporated into our design.
A Breath of Fresh Air (and Reduced Energy Consumption)
Staying cool in the summer is essential, but so is minimizing our environmental footprint. Here's how we're achieving both in our new office:
High-Efficiency ACs: We opted for 5-star rated split AC units instead of the industry-standard 3-star models. This translates to significant energy savings over the long term.
Zoned Cooling: Instead of a centralized ducting system, we strategically placed multiple AC units. This allows for more granular control over temperature in different areas, preventing unnecessary cooling in unoccupied spaces.
Optimized Placement: We ensured the optimal positioning of AC units to maximize their effectiveness and minimize energy consumption. This includes factors like tonnage per unit of area and efficient copper wire usage.
Natural Ventilation: We installed sliding windows to promote natural ventilation, reducing reliance on ACs, especially during cooler months. We’ve chosen a space with almost entirely open North-South facing windows, allowing plenty of indirect sunlight in and eliminating the heating consequences of direct sunlight.
Fan Integration: We've planned for the future installation of fans to further supplement natural ventilation and minimize AC use.
Temperature Regulation: We champion maintaining a comfortable temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and prioritize responsible refrigerant use.
Furnishing for a Sustainable Future
Our approach to furniture selection reflects our commitment to resource conservation:
Refurbishable Workstations: The tabletops of our workstations are made from refurbishable materials, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.
Eco-Conscious Seating: A majority of our chairs are from Featherlite, a company renowned for its sustainable production practices.
Featherlite uses efficient processes and rapidly renewable components for more than 40% of the total material used. They also have zero VOC emissions from glue and use no hazardous materials (or ‘chemicals of concern’) in their manufacturing process. Featherlite products are also modular, which contributes to better lifecycle management through upgrading, modification, upcycling, and recycling.
Re-used Loose Furniture: We are crowdsourcing loose furniture by applying the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle principle.
Green Cleaning: We're committed to using eco-friendly cleaning products that minimize environmental impact.
Building Blocks of Sustainability
Using Aluminum: The framework for our glass partitions, frames, and doors is constructed from aluminum, a highly recyclable material.
Local & Sustainable Roofing: The terrace utilizes Onduline sheets, an eco-friendly and locally sourced roofing material. It is opaque, and intended to keep the terrace area cool in summer.
Terrace garden: We plan to green the outdoor area on the terrace and plant local/endemic species of plants, including pollinators.
Eco-Conscious Touches
Nippon's Eco-Friendly Paint: Our interior walls are adorned with environmentally-friendly paint from Nippon. This paint utilizes non-toxic and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). VOC - present in conventional wall paint, is a pollutant that has hazardous consequences on human health.
Upcycled Elegance: The boardroom boasts a beautiful coconut timber floor, crafted from locally sourced scrap trees, promoting resourcefulness.
Exposed Brick Beauty: We embraced the natural aesthetics of exposed brick walls, eliminating the need for additional finishes and reducing material use.
Warm White Advantage: We opted for warm white lighting, which consumes relatively less energy than traditional cool white lighting.
A Sustainable Future Starts Here
By incorporating these eco-conscious features into our new office design, we're taking a step towards a more sustainable future. We believe that businesses have a responsibility to make environmentally responsible choices, and we're proud to lead by example. We hope this inspires others to embrace sustainability in their workplaces and beyond.