WORKING MODEL

DESIGN-LED FUTURE suggests how the developer can move 5 Tenant win – they gain a purposeEllen MacArthur broke the world record further towards net zero carbon buildings designed scheme to suit their for the fastest solo circumnavigation of and be cost neutral while delivering a higher organisation. the globe in 2005. Her bravery and talent quality space, all the time observing circular 6 End user win – the lighting for their task to overcome the challenges are a given, economy principles, reducing waste and is designed for them and their task, so it but the journey gave her an insight. All the improving sustainability. If we do fewer CAT will be more suited to their job and will supplies to successfully complete a round- A fit-outs we’ll achieve more of these things. typically be healthier. the-world sailing race were loaded on to The GRESB comments '… forward- 7 Planet win – no CAT A fit-out bar her boat before setting sail – there would thinking organisations identify the linear the demonstration zones. be no opportunity to gain more resources economy as a risk to their bottom line and after that, they would just have to be used as such are changing their business models THE FUTURE wisely. Her insight was that our planet is to reduce exposure by adopting [Circular So let us imagine that our post-COVID office the same: our resources are limited. She Economy] CE principles. However, it is is not just smaller, but now better designed went on to launch the influential Ellen a challenge to remain competitive when and better lit for its use, and is sustainable MacArthur foundation in 2010 promoting faced with prevailing economic structures, both in its operation and in its procurement. the progression to a circular economy. regulation and standards serving short-term But what might it look like? The Swedish

The logical way to release further energy linear business models.' government is already questioning the savings is to move to a delivery efficiency The following attempts to meet that ubiquitous recessed 600 x 600 LED panel focus, in other words a design-led approach challenge, working within the industry’s as a source of bland and visually where target task light levels are focused on commercial interests while delivering uncomfortable spaces. Research shows the desk, with visual comfort guaranteed by improvements in low carbon performance, that most space users prefer direct-indirect pro-rata lighting of the floor, walls and ceiling. circular economy compliance and waste schemes and some control over their space. Purpose-designed schemes lend themselves reduction, and comfortable and effective Moving the lighting design on from an to correctly zoned and commissioned control office lighting: overly simplified task surface allows more systems, ensuring that the lighting is only on consideration of lighting for people. when and where needed. 1 Minimise any barriers to letting – build A circular economy is based on the

A net zero carbon building is a highly out a show floor with finished zones principles of designing out waste and energy efficient building that is fully powered displaying different lighting and ceiling pollution, and keeping products and by on-site and/or off-site renewable energy options. The rest of the building is core materials in use. From an office lighting sources and offsets. Unpacking the first and floor, the capital expenditure saved perspective, this suggests not disposing or half of that definition, the lighting system from the CAT A scheme is held in an replacing fittings before end of useful life, must minimise carbon in both construction, escrow ‘pot’ and is offered back to extending useful life by ensuring components operation and whole-life cycle. tenants to create their fit-for-purpose can be replaced or upgraded (particularly

Carbon is emitted, and energy and raw ceiling/lighting scheme. the driver within the LED fitting), setting material resources are embodied into a 2 Developer win – they deliver client in place supporting maintenance, warranty light fitting at manufacture, delivery and choice and can be demonstrably greener or lighting as service structures, reusing installation. Following the principles of the when letting. redundant fittings elsewhere and ensuring circular economy, this embodied energy 3 Contractor win – the tenant scheme fittings can be readily dismantled into and resources can be used more efficiently could still be delivered by the main/ component parts and materials. by lengthening the useful operating life of electrical contractor so no work is lost, Our objective is to combine effective the fitting – short working lives have the plus the potential exists to upsell. working plane lighting within a visually opposite effect. 4 Agent win – while the agent still has comfortable space while achieving the show floor to demonstrate a lit environmental sustainability over whole SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT space, they can also now let and sell scheme life. By taking a holistic and intelligent THAT WORKS spaces that are more environmentally approach to lighting design, the energy savings End clients are calling for a net zero ‘label’ responsible and potentially more aligned made in other areas of a scheme allow a for their investments and nobody is investing to the WELL standard, which many ‘carbon budget’ for some ‘feature’ lighting in non-green schemes, but many are not clients are now asking for. which hugely benefits people’s emotional yet ready to embrace what true net zero response to the office space. actually builds out as and there will likely be resistance. We must therefore offer This article first appeared in issue 27.4 practical ways to build that better of Government Business Magazine future, which fit with the corporate objectives of all stakeholders in ‘The CAT A paradigm must Bob Bohannon, MSc FSLL, the building supply chain. The guidance below now itself be consigned to the MIET, is the current president of the SLL

skip and revisited to better align

Twitter: @sll100 with current requirements’ 11

WELL CONNECTED

Interior designer and health coach Kaye Preston and lighting designer Kael Gillam explain the aims of Designers Mind ‘As designers,

we have unique

esigners Mind is a forum and community where designers from a variety of backgrounds and specialisms can share their knowledge and experience to raise D mentality erodes the idea of a work-life balance; if we’re unable to 'shut off' from work, then we’re never really done working. Sleep becomes less important. Eating healthily gets thrown to the wayside for whatever is first, we find that we are actually happier, pressures from countless different awareness around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. The community open when you trudge back from the office. Making time to socialise starts to become too more productive sources in our was founded in 2019 by Kaye Preston, also a WELL AP and health coach, with the goal of helping to raise awareness and improve much effort to sustain. Our aim at Designers Mind is to cut through the status quo and help designers people in all aspects of life. We plan to professional lives’ the mental wellbeing of designers at work. establish habits that benefit themselves across host workshops As well as ourselves, the core contributing all areas of their lives. We know that there and seminars with team comprises interior designer Rosalind are damaging yet long-established norms in designers to find these Poerwantoro and workplace design the design industry that wear people down tools and learn how to strategist Rhiannon Laurie, both also and cause burnout. Our mission is to shake implement these techniques in involved/qualified in the wellbeing sphere. off stereotypes and rewrite potentially their daily lives. With our own unique

As designers, we have unique pressures damaging proscriptive routes to success. backgrounds, we hope to be able to from countless different sources in our We believe that everyone has their own contribute valuable perspectives, advice professional lives, all seemingly centred on way of living and working that is most and strategies learned both from our creating the best and being the best. Clients beneficial to them. We are strong advocates personal lives and our professional study. expect nothing but excellence from the of listening to your own body and responding We look forward to being able to do this consultants they employ, and designers are positively to what you hear. Awareness is the once it is safe to do so, as we feel that this notorious for never being quite satisfied first step to wellness; this encompasses our opportunity for a very personal connection with even their most accomplished works. physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual is at the heart of fostering good wellbeing. We are also a pretty tireless lot; late wellbeing. Kaye’s passion as a health and With this sense of intimacy in mind, we nights, weekends and holidays are often no lifestyle coach is to simplify wellbeing and help have encouraged members of the design boundary to ensuring that projects get the people incorporate it into their day without community to share their stories about attention they so rightly need. feeling as if they’re adding to an overwhelming personal wellbeing on our website. In doing

With this sort of internal and external 'to do' list. She believes that everyone should so, we hope that others can find solace and pressure, it is not difficult to imagine how it be able to create a wellbeing toolbox, an warmth; we want designers to know that begins to cascade into a designer’s personal arsenal of strategies that helps you maintain they are not alone both in their triumphs life. The all too common 24/7 working balance. When we start to put our wellbeing and their disappointments.