With so much of today’s emphasis being based on environmental sustainability it is worth highlighting the steps that can be taken to ensure your fit-out is furnished with environmentally friendly and/or certified product.

There are simple steps that can be investigated and adhered to throughout the design process to ensure that the majority of building materials and furnishings used in your fit-out environment are meeting today’s ‘green’ requirements.

Today, some tenants relocating their business to new buildings with a green star rating have no choice and the building fit out guidelines will make mention that certain products must be of such a standard so as not to jeopardise the earned green star rating.

It is worth noting that green accredited products generally cost slightly more than your average daily materials. It is however a small price to pay to ensure that whatever environment is left will remain for our future generations and enjoyment.

The materials and furnishings that should be considered will be briefly looked at below. Preferred Clockwork Projects suppliers of environmental product will be listed. For more information follow the links to the appropriate web sites of these environmentally conscious companies or contact us here at Clockwork Projects.

The majority of these companies have been certified or acknowledged by:

BUILDING MATERIALS:

Flooring:

Every good space needs a floor. There are combinations of styles and finishes which will leave your new space looking clean and professional. For Creative companies a large range of colours are available to give that bright, creative edge that is becoming more and more common in today’s business society. For commercial spaces we would recommend carpet tiles for their practicality. Should a spill or other damage occur to a particular area you can easily pull up the damaged tiles and replace with left over stock.

Vinyl, carpet and timber flooring from a few suppliers are now meeting the green star requirements through use of recycled content that does not compromise the product quality.

Tiling

Commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens and foyer/entrance areas, even tile manufacturers are doing their part. The use of recycled water, a reduction/elimination of emissions and reduced energy levels being used throughout production has resulted in a far more eco friendly product. Projects are made to order so waste is kept to an absolute minimum and they can of course be recycled post consumer applications.

Ceilings

Ceiling tiles are more common than not in the commercial business office sector. They offer ease in relocation and installation of ceiling services and mean that ceiling space access is of no problem for electricians and the like. Depending on the particular tile you can source them to include thermal and/or acoustic properties to best suit your business requirements.

With a mid to high range of recycled content present in the compilation of product suppliers are now happily meeting the green requirements as designated by relevant authority companies.

Walls (Plasterboard)

Plasterboard has been used for decades to provide wall and or ceiling linings amongst other things. It is flexible in use as can be bent or shaped to suit the final layout. Always known for its fire properties products are now increasing acoustic properties and increasing the recyclable content – both pre and post application.

Walls (Linings/Panels)

More resistant than plasterboard when it comes to impact, fire, and acoustic properties these are being used commercially and residentially as they offer a more architecturally viable option. Coming in a series of finishes and styles that can be painted they are another option when looking for that extra edge.

Being manufactured from recycled content of up to 95% in some cases and with a reduction in waste from plasterboard, although a more expensive option, they are becoming more and more popular.

Insulation

Sometimes required in commercial environments where the need for increased thermal and/or acoustic properties are present. Today, some insulation is manufactured from previously recycled fibre (from PET plastics) ranging in content from 40% – 75%. It is manufactured on Zero waste policies where any off cuts are reprocessed to make more insulation. Better yet, some suppliers’ product remains completely recyclable for its lifetime.

Paint

Necessary in almost every single fit-out or project. Paint contains VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), petroleum based solvents that evaporate into the air as the paint dries. It contributes to respiratory symptoms and green house gas emissions. Some traditional paints had a VOC content of 50+% meaning that for every 10 litre tin of paint used, 5 litres would evaporate into the atmosphere. Some manufacturers have now managed to reduce VOC contents in some of their paint ranges to <1% making them almost fume and odour free resulting in a perfectly acceptable indoor application.

Lighting

In conjunction with your design/architecture Company and electrical engineers a best case design can be put forward so that your new space is in compliance with relevant Australian Standards and the Building Code of Australia. Light fittings and bulbs/tubes are now being produced in environmentally friendly plants in accordance with ISO 14001:2004 (International Environmental Standard) with the view towards better improving. Power draws are reduced for energy savings and thus, you save money on you annual bill.

FURNISHINGS:

Furniture

Now offering furniture that is manufactured through energy and water conservation techniques with again, emphasis on waste reduction. Methods have grown to encompass sustainable patterns of production and to prevent pollution and impact on the natural environment.

o Please consider when looking for new furniture

a. E0 board – Low formaldehyde emission MDF (approximately $5-$10 more expensive per desk)

b. PVC – Look for product that can eliminate or reduce PVC (polyvinyl chloride) content. Mostly found as the perimeter edging around the desk/workstation etc.

Seating

Suppliers are embracing ways through production to better serve the environment. Focusing on eliminating all CO₂ emissions where appropriate, cutting edge design and modern science is coming together to create new sources of electricity and heat energy powered by renewable raw materials. Chairs are now starting to be made from a large amount of recycled product. Even transport methods have changed to make sure minimum impact on the environment is caused.

Storage

Storage units, like furniture, also have common PVC content. We are glad to say that some companies are now also supplying a non-PVC alternative. Again, a big focus is on production and recycling of scrap metals etc. All methods of the production, wrapping, storage, delivery and install aspects have been created to reduce environmental impact.

There are plenty of other ways to reduce environmental damage. Waterless urinals, recycled office stationary, sensor lighting and water use etc. Even cleaning chemicals are getting the environmental tick. With a bit of research and a professional’s advice you could aim for an interior green star rating. This is a big step, but even the smallest of contributions means we are on our way.

Clockwork Projects can help transform your commercial space with minimal environmental impact. For more information or to discuss your up and coming project contact our experienced staff for a professional consultation.