To green or not to green: A sustainable office on a budget

In deciding the right green solutions to invest in, companies may fall prey to sustainability gimmicks.

Beyond budget, the true key should lie in impact. Before investing, it’s critical to weigh the environmental benefit and impact that a new solution brings, especially when it calls for the physical office space to be modified or adapted.

For instance, replacing furniture with accredited sustainable alternatives from overseas might sound good on paper, but the embodied carbon of production and transportation could negate any gains. Think local when it comes to the big items in a fit-out!

A truly green office has to be a long-term commitment with employee involvement at its core.

Ideally, employees should be roped in from the initial design and construction phase and be actively involved in the planning for the entire life cycle of the office space. It is, after all, the place where they’ll spend most time in, second only to their homes.

While navigating budget constraints can be a tricky endeavour, achieving sustainability in corporate office design is part of the corporate mandate and the co-responsibility with other social agents and institutions.

This relatively new role of corporates as drivers or ambassadors of new behaviours and practices should not be anecdotical, but rather foundational. Designing spaces that enable people and businesses to operate and thrive under these new behaviours is the critical next step.

By striking the right balance, your green office can become a dynamic reflection of your evolving employee needs and a powerful magnet for attracting and retaining top talent while amplifying your organisation’s corporate values.

Unsure about the costs of building a greener office? Explore our Asia Pacific Fit-Out Cost Guide 2023/2024 for more insights, or reach out to a JLL design expert today.