Why Sustainability is Good for Business
As well as being important for the environment, sustainable home design can actually help your business to grow
An increased focus on climate change globally has prompted consumers to place more emphasis on sustainability for a while now, a trend that was highlighted in the 2019 UK Houzz & Home Renovation Trends Study. The research found an increase since 2016 in the amount of homeowners who prioritised energy efficiency and green materials in their renovation plans.
If you’re wondering what effect environmentally friendly choices could have on your business, read on to find out why it could pay off financially.
Professional advice from: Daniel Rees of REES Architects; Lior Brosh of Brosh Architects; Judith Wahle of JSW Studio
If you’re wondering what effect environmentally friendly choices could have on your business, read on to find out why it could pay off financially.
Professional advice from: Daniel Rees of REES Architects; Lior Brosh of Brosh Architects; Judith Wahle of JSW Studio
It can lower office running costs
It’s not just the actual construction costs that can be saved by working sustainably. Consider, too, how eco-friendly choices in the office or studio can result in lower overheads.
At REES Architects, for example, the studio space uses a heat recovery ventilation unit, and the building is well insulated. “Our heating requirement is minimal,” Daniel says. “We have two large windows, and all lighting within our studio is LED, so minimal energy is needed. Everything apart from food waste is recycled or reused. We minimise paper and ink use by reusing scrap paper and having most of our work saved and issued digitally.”
Lior, who is currently building a new office space at the end of his garden, also highlights the benefits of a sustainable working environment. “The entire roof surface will be a thick, wildflower green roof, not only to lower the impact on neighbouring properties, but to reduce the surface run-off of rainfall, improve sound insulation, reduce heat loss and increase the life of waterproofing membranes lying at the base of the roof,” he explains.
It’s not just the actual construction costs that can be saved by working sustainably. Consider, too, how eco-friendly choices in the office or studio can result in lower overheads.
At REES Architects, for example, the studio space uses a heat recovery ventilation unit, and the building is well insulated. “Our heating requirement is minimal,” Daniel says. “We have two large windows, and all lighting within our studio is LED, so minimal energy is needed. Everything apart from food waste is recycled or reused. We minimise paper and ink use by reusing scrap paper and having most of our work saved and issued digitally.”
Lior, who is currently building a new office space at the end of his garden, also highlights the benefits of a sustainable working environment. “The entire roof surface will be a thick, wildflower green roof, not only to lower the impact on neighbouring properties, but to reduce the surface run-off of rainfall, improve sound insulation, reduce heat loss and increase the life of waterproofing membranes lying at the base of the roof,” he explains.
It increases consumer trust
Consumers are placing an increased importance on sustainability when it comes to choosing products and services. A 2018 Nielsen global survey found that 81% of respondents feel strongly that businesses should help improve the environment.
“This is a very big topic these days,” Judith says, “and essential for many clients.”
“I think when you show a possible client the knowledge you have about sustainably, even if this is not high on their list, they trust that you will be thinking about it inherently,” Daniel adds.
Lior believes that sustainability isn’t a “hire-or-fire issue”, but says, “Every potential client would like to know their architect can be trustworthy, both personally and professionally.” So while your eco credentials might not be a deal-breaker, they could certainly help to build your relationship with individual clients and enhance your reputation within the wider market.
Consumers are placing an increased importance on sustainability when it comes to choosing products and services. A 2018 Nielsen global survey found that 81% of respondents feel strongly that businesses should help improve the environment.
“This is a very big topic these days,” Judith says, “and essential for many clients.”
“I think when you show a possible client the knowledge you have about sustainably, even if this is not high on their list, they trust that you will be thinking about it inherently,” Daniel adds.
Lior believes that sustainability isn’t a “hire-or-fire issue”, but says, “Every potential client would like to know their architect can be trustworthy, both personally and professionally.” So while your eco credentials might not be a deal-breaker, they could certainly help to build your relationship with individual clients and enhance your reputation within the wider market.
It adds value for the client
While style and practicality are essential requests from homeowners, the benefits of energy-efficiency will pay off in the long term. “We install new heating systems that use less energy, so of course this reduces running costs for the clients,” Judith says. It’s these gains that a client will appreciate over time and will hopefully lead them to recommend your company later.
“We always advise on using substantial insulation throughout and on installing the newest heating system to minimise heat and energy wastage,” Lior says. “An average home loses up to 30-40% of its heating energy through air leaks around windows and doors. A solution is to specify sliding doors with heated glass, so instead of being the source of the heat loss they become a heat source.”
While style and practicality are essential requests from homeowners, the benefits of energy-efficiency will pay off in the long term. “We install new heating systems that use less energy, so of course this reduces running costs for the clients,” Judith says. It’s these gains that a client will appreciate over time and will hopefully lead them to recommend your company later.
“We always advise on using substantial insulation throughout and on installing the newest heating system to minimise heat and energy wastage,” Lior says. “An average home loses up to 30-40% of its heating energy through air leaks around windows and doors. A solution is to specify sliding doors with heated glass, so instead of being the source of the heat loss they become a heat source.”
It increases innovation
It often takes a challenge to force creative thinking. A sustainable focus can prompt you to try new materials and design strategies, which in turn could provide a more interesting and innovative result for your client.
It helps to think laterally, as Daniel explains. “Clients’ initial thoughts are mainly about adding solar panels or similar bolt-on items, for example. While solar does have some benefits, it’s not as sustainable as other things we can do, especially in the UK.”
“We are very fond of closed-cell spray foam insulation,” Lior adds. “It has a higher thermal insulating value with virtually no air infiltration. It also saves on labour and time on site.”
Tell us…
Have you begun to focus more on sustainable design? Have you noticed any business benefits? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
It often takes a challenge to force creative thinking. A sustainable focus can prompt you to try new materials and design strategies, which in turn could provide a more interesting and innovative result for your client.
It helps to think laterally, as Daniel explains. “Clients’ initial thoughts are mainly about adding solar panels or similar bolt-on items, for example. While solar does have some benefits, it’s not as sustainable as other things we can do, especially in the UK.”
“We are very fond of closed-cell spray foam insulation,” Lior adds. “It has a higher thermal insulating value with virtually no air infiltration. It also saves on labour and time on site.”
Tell us…
Have you begun to focus more on sustainable design? Have you noticed any business benefits? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The use of new, innovative materials and systems is a key part of sustainable design, but it can often require a larger budget. But sustainability doesn’t always mean a huge outlay – environmentally friendly projects can be achieved in less expensive ways.
Daniel Rees explains that you can create a building with reduced heat loss and gain by just thinking carefully about how it’s designed. “This could be the orientation of the building or room, or the size and location of windows,” he says.
It also makes sense to reuse materials. “Embodied energy in building materials (the energy used to source, manufacture and transport materials) is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in the industry,” Daniel says. As well as lowering carbon emissions, using materials that have already been manufactured will help to reduce construction costs.
“Our strategy is never to gut the entire place and start all over again,” Lior Brosh says. “We always look at the existing space and how best we can use it for modern living. This ultimately saves a lot of cost on structure and new materials delivered to site.”
“I try to always check what we can still use from the old property instead of buying new,” Judith Wahle says. “It’s often surprising how old things turn out so beautiful and useful in a modernised home. We also restore old flooring so it looks great again, instead of buying new timber boards.”