Sustainability, in its broadest sense, means meeting our own needs without compromising the future generation’s resources. It is not limited to environmentalism but also involves a concern for social equity and economic development. In the interior design context, how can systems thinking, life cycle assessment, ecodesign, and the principles of circular economy matter in developing a sustainable environment that we can adopt in designing retail spaces?One area in sustainable development, which was first recognised and defined in 1987 through the UN-commissioned Brundtland Report, is the role of design and its importance towards creating responsible and sustainable production and consumption models. Design, across all disciplines, impacts the environment. A European Commission research stated that around 80% of all product-related ecological impacts are decided during the design phase. For builders and designers, their ecological footprints begin at strategic planning, conceptual phase, and design development up to construction and maintenance. But the real sustainable solutions are found in the materials and their sources. The overall motivation is to build a sustainable environment— a human-made space with less environmental impact where people can live, work and do all kinds of activities. Of course, we also need to consider how people will interact in these spaces to maximise our sustainable design objectives.Sustainable MaterialsBiophilic design is more than just sprucing up your interior spaces with plants. However, a study confirmed that having Sustainable materials are generally defined as materials that are used for building or developing products and environments with limited negative impacts on communities and natural resources. In 2017, humanity’s material consumption has breached 100 billion tonnes. The construction industry alone consumes 40% of the world’s natural resources. This is a significant number that paints an alarming picture of material resources becoming less abundant, amassing waste in limited disposal spaces and CO2 emissions triggering climate change. To evaluate the environmental impact of materials and products consumed in the design and construction industry, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a good tool to guide designers and architects in the material selection process.The cradle-to-cradle life cycle of all the building and interior materials— from material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, and usage, up to how they are managed at disposal after use— supports the Circular Economy principle. Circular Economy creates a new future for materials by the end of their use period to transform into another form and purpose through various options — reuse, refurbish and recycle. A number of interior architects are promoting the sustainable design movement which also introduces us to a system beyond sustainability and more regeneration.At this point, It’s important to realise the interconnectedness that is present within this complex strategy. This whole new system facilitates dialogue and collaboration between B2B and treading the intersections of equity, economy and ecology together while achieving our own personal business goals. Going back to the Life Cycle Assessment, knowing how the raw materials are ethically extracted and which manufacturers deliver such quality is a good start for designers and builders.Construction and finishing materials are classified according to natural, converted, and artificial materials. Natural materials remain in their natural condition with expectations that they are treated to prolong their quality. Examples of these are wood and stones. Converted materials, on the other hand, are natural materials that have been converted to another form such as cement and bricks. Lastly, artificial materials are materials that went through manufacturing processes and are not found in nature such as plastics and glass.materials, regardless of whether they are natural, converted, or artificial, have characteristics and values that make them a healthy solution to developing a sustainable environment.Efficient – the materials are not only energy efficient but as well as waste efficient and cost-efficient. Renewable – the materials came from renewable energy and organic materials (solar, wind, water, biomass, plants, etc.) where they are constantly and naturally replenished.Biodegradable – the materials, after their end-of-life, disintegrates by the natural process through decomposition by microorganisms.Raises the quality of life – the materials are high quality and don’t negatively affect the health of the community and the environment.Sustainable design in retail spacesFollowing the key characteristics of sustainable materials and the ecodesign principles and other approaches, we can define sustainable interior design as designing built environments and systems that integrate the functional aspects and aesthetic qualities of interior spaces with sustainability by maximising materials in an innovative way, and positively impacts our social, economic and environmental systems. This practice should enable the conservation of natural resources.The retail industry has already surpassed the oil and gas industries in carbon emission output. Adopting sustainable practices in constructing and designing brick-and-mortar stores not only benefits the business profit but also the people and the planet. Becoming sustainable by association empowers brands to influence the mindset of the industry and consumers. Econyl, a regenerated nylon brand, shared five sustainable interior design principles that retail designers can apply to build a sustainable environment in retail spaces.Design for energy efficiencyDesign for low environmental impactDesign for waste reductionDesign for longevity and flexibilityDesign for healthy environmentsIt’s also worth noting several approaches in ecodesign product strategies that we can integrate in the context of interior design:DematerialisationThis simply means reducing the total material and energy incorporated into a design or product. As James Baldwin, industrial designer and student of Buckminster Fuller — a sustainable design pioneer, said, “the less material used per function, the closer the design is too pure principle.”Here are some of the best examples of workplaces with biophilic design around the world:ModuarityModularity is the ability of the product to be reconfigured in various ways to adapt to different spaces and functions. Modular interiors are also designed in this same manner where flexibility is maximised while being energy efficient and cost-effective.EquityDesigning for equity breaks the reinforcement of stereotypes of different users. Equity in interior design promotes diversity, inclusivity and equal conditions for people of different socioeconomic statuses, genders, race, physical abilities, etc.Key Techniques In Sustainable Retail DesignWe’ve generally covered quick lessons, strategies, and concepts in sustainable interior design to inspire our next retail projects that incorporate sustainability. Below are additional practical techniques and examples of brands that may belong to the 80% of companies around the world that report on sustainability.Rental Retail Several furniture companies have followed the fashion industry’s lead in rental retail. Brands such as Ikea, Muji, and John Lewis & Partners have furniture rental initiatives. This model helps reduce landfill waste where 9 million tonnes of fast furniture are disposed of every single year according to The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Biophilic Design Biophilic design is a current trend in offices and retail spaces where elements of the natural environment are brought within indoor spaces. It promotes productivity, happiness, and healthy well-being. The biophilic design perfectly fits a sustainable built environment. The M.I. Bookstore in Harbin, China seen above is a spectacular example of biophilic retail design. BiomaterialsBiomaterials are synthetic-based or made from biodegradable matter that is eco-friendly. Examples of biomaterials are hemp, wood, cork, bamboo, chitin, linoleum, bioplastic, and mycelium. Examples of brands, companies, and creators that supply, invest and promote the use of biomaterials are MarinaTex, Lino Leather, and Cork House to name a few. RetrofittingRetrofitting retail spaces or buildings to become a sustainable environment can help entrepreneurs switch to sustainable practices in their businesses. This is known as adaptive reuse in architecture– recycling and converting existing structures for new use. Retrofitting can include technologies that are energy efficient, new interior materials that are made from biomaterials, or anything from the old interior systems that require sustainable upgrades. A good example is the lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters headquarters in Philadelphia. The company turned the 33,000 square feet space of an abandoned navy yard ship into green buildings for the benefit of its creative employees as well.Greater Group is a multi-disciplinary global retail design agency. We have been creating award-winning retail spaces, customer experiences and workplaces since 1989, utilising our combined expertise to deliver high-impact, high-return design, fit-out and manufacturing solutions and provide clients with one point of contact throughout.Contact us at contact@thegreatergroup.com to discuss how we can elevate your brand through innovative, future-proof retail design solutions.Share :
Sustainability, in its broadest sense, means meeting our own needs without compromising the future generation’s resources. It is not limited to environmentalism but also involves a concern for social equity and economic development. In the interior design context, how can systems thinking, life cycle assessment, ecodesign, and the principles of circular economy matter in developing a sustainable environment that we can adopt in designing retail spaces?One area in sustainable development, which was first recognised and defined in 1987 through the UN-commissioned Brundtland Report, is the role of design and its importance towards creating responsible and sustainable production and consumption models. Design, across all disciplines, impacts the environment. A European Commission research stated that around 80% of all product-related ecological impacts are decided during the design phase. For builders and designers, their ecological footprints begin at strategic planning, conceptual phase, and design development up to construction and maintenance. But the real sustainable solutions are found in the materials and their sources. The overall motivation is to build a sustainable environment— a human-made space with less environmental impact where people can live, work and do all kinds of activities. Of course, we also need to consider how people will interact in these spaces to maximise our sustainable design objectives.Sustainable MaterialsBiophilic design is more than just sprucing up your interior spaces with plants. However, a study confirmed that having Sustainable materials are generally defined as materials that are used for building or developing products and environments with limited negative impacts on communities and natural resources. In 2017, humanity’s material consumption has breached 100 billion tonnes. The construction industry alone consumes 40% of the world’s natural resources. This is a significant number that paints an alarming picture of material resources becoming less abundant, amassing waste in limited disposal spaces and CO2 emissions triggering climate change. To evaluate the environmental impact of materials and products consumed in the design and construction industry, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a good tool to guide designers and architects in the material selection process.The cradle-to-cradle life cycle of all the building and interior materials— from material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, and usage, up to how they are managed at disposal after use— supports the Circular Economy principle. Circular Economy creates a new future for materials by the end of their use period to transform into another form and purpose through various options — reuse, refurbish and recycle. A number of interior architects are promoting the sustainable design movement which also introduces us to a system beyond sustainability and more regeneration.At this point, It’s important to realise the interconnectedness that is present within this complex strategy. This whole new system facilitates dialogue and collaboration between B2B and treading the intersections of equity, economy and ecology together while achieving our own personal business goals. Going back to the Life Cycle Assessment, knowing how the raw materials are ethically extracted and which manufacturers deliver such quality is a good start for designers and builders.Construction and finishing materials are classified according to natural, converted, and artificial materials. Natural materials remain in their natural condition with expectations that they are treated to prolong their quality. Examples of these are wood and stones. Converted materials, on the other hand, are natural materials that have been converted to another form such as cement and bricks. Lastly, artificial materials are materials that went through manufacturing processes and are not found in nature such as plastics and glass.materials, regardless of whether they are natural, converted, or artificial, have characteristics and values that make them a healthy solution to developing a sustainable environment.Efficient – the materials are not only energy efficient but as well as waste efficient and cost-efficient. Renewable – the materials came from renewable energy and organic materials (solar, wind, water, biomass, plants, etc.) where they are constantly and naturally replenished.Biodegradable – the materials, after their end-of-life, disintegrates by the natural process through decomposition by microorganisms.Raises the quality of life – the materials are high quality and don’t negatively affect the health of the community and the environment.Sustainable design in retail spacesFollowing the key characteristics of sustainable materials and the ecodesign principles and other approaches, we can define sustainable interior design as designing built environments and systems that integrate the functional aspects and aesthetic qualities of interior spaces with sustainability by maximising materials in an innovative way, and positively impacts our social, economic and environmental systems. This practice should enable the conservation of natural resources.The retail industry has already surpassed the oil and gas industries in carbon emission output. Adopting sustainable practices in constructing and designing brick-and-mortar stores not only benefits the business profit but also the people and the planet. Becoming sustainable by association empowers brands to influence the mindset of the industry and consumers. Econyl, a regenerated nylon brand, shared five sustainable interior design principles that retail designers can apply to build a sustainable environment in retail spaces.Design for energy efficiencyDesign for low environmental impactDesign for waste reductionDesign for longevity and flexibilityDesign for healthy environmentsIt’s also worth noting several approaches in ecodesign product strategies that we can integrate in the context of interior design:DematerialisationThis simply means reducing the total material and energy incorporated into a design or product. As James Baldwin, industrial designer and student of Buckminster Fuller — a sustainable design pioneer, said, “the less material used per function, the closer the design is too pure principle.”Here are some of the best examples of workplaces with biophilic design around the world:ModuarityModularity is the ability of the product to be reconfigured in various ways to adapt to different spaces and functions. Modular interiors are also designed in this same manner where flexibility is maximised while being energy efficient and cost-effective.EquityDesigning for equity breaks the reinforcement of stereotypes of different users. Equity in interior design promotes diversity, inclusivity and equal conditions for people of different socioeconomic statuses, genders, race, physical abilities, etc.Key Techniques In Sustainable Retail DesignWe’ve generally covered quick lessons, strategies, and concepts in sustainable interior design to inspire our next retail projects that incorporate sustainability. Below are additional practical techniques and examples of brands that may belong to the 80% of companies around the world that report on sustainability.Rental Retail Several furniture companies have followed the fashion industry’s lead in rental retail. Brands such as Ikea, Muji, and John Lewis & Partners have furniture rental initiatives. This model helps reduce landfill waste where 9 million tonnes of fast furniture are disposed of every single year according to The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Biophilic Design Biophilic design is a current trend in offices and retail spaces where elements of the natural environment are brought within indoor spaces. It promotes productivity, happiness, and healthy well-being. The biophilic design perfectly fits a sustainable built environment. The M.I. Bookstore in Harbin, China seen above is a spectacular example of biophilic retail design. BiomaterialsBiomaterials are synthetic-based or made from biodegradable matter that is eco-friendly. Examples of biomaterials are hemp, wood, cork, bamboo, chitin, linoleum, bioplastic, and mycelium. Examples of brands, companies, and creators that supply, invest and promote the use of biomaterials are MarinaTex, Lino Leather, and Cork House to name a few. RetrofittingRetrofitting retail spaces or buildings to become a sustainable environment can help entrepreneurs switch to sustainable practices in their businesses. This is known as adaptive reuse in architecture– recycling and converting existing structures for new use. Retrofitting can include technologies that are energy efficient, new interior materials that are made from biomaterials, or anything from the old interior systems that require sustainable upgrades. A good example is the lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters headquarters in Philadelphia. The company turned the 33,000 square feet space of an abandoned navy yard ship into green buildings for the benefit of its creative employees as well.Greater Group is a multi-disciplinary global retail design agency. We have been creating award-winning retail spaces, customer experiences and workplaces since 1989, utilising our combined expertise to deliver high-impact, high-return design, fit-out and manufacturing solutions and provide clients with one point of contact throughout.Contact us at contact@thegreatergroup.com to discuss how we can elevate your brand through innovative, future-proof retail design solutions.Share :