FOK magazine #2 on Sustainable Design

SUSTAINABILITY

The logical outcome of a design process with focus on wellbeing

In the 24 years of our existence, Fokkema & Partners has been involved in numerous projects with high sustainability requirements. With the building The Edge in Amsterdam, for example, we were part of the team which achieved the highest BREEAM score for a new office building in the world. The funny thing is that sustainability has never been the starting point of our design process: that has always been the wellbeing of users. It is for them that we strive to design a work environ ment that is not only beautiful but also healthy, not only functional but also simply a great place to work. A place that is there for the long run and deserves sustainable choices. We design environments with a long-term mind set. So we prefer timeless quality over completely recyclable options that have only short-term value. And we rather renovate an existing building instead of building something comple tely new. We believe that the way we use renovations to revive outdated buildings has become our distinctive trademark. In this dynamic world we see ourselves as a cata lyst for positive change. With a passion for innovations we explore all sustainability concepts with an open mind before making the most optimal choice. Sustainability may not be the starting point of our design process, but it definitely is its outcome. For if you combine innovation with a lasting work environment where people feel great, the design is truly sustainable. To share with you the results from our endeavors we present our sustainability facts & figures on the next pages.