Feeling Good: The Science and Economics of Wellbeing in Interiors

The introduction of Ska Rating environmental assessments for interior fit-outs has focused attention on research evidence for the wellbeing of occupants. Many design factors – colour and lighting, acoustics, air quality and furnishings can have a calculable impact on building occupants. Job satisfaction, productivity, higher occupancy/lower absenteeism can result from applying an increasing body of [...]

Mixology Ball 2010 – New Interior Design Environmental Design Award

A new award was introduced this year at the industry Mixology Awards 2010 recognising the sustainable efforts in commercial Interior Design projects. The award was sponsored by Antron and judges were moi! Elina Grigoriou and Annabelle Filer of SCIN. Harwinder Bharma of Antron and our table’s lovely  host for the night announced the winner as Max [...]

WRAP’s Report for COP15 and Construction Sector Involvement

WRAP commissioned a report in preparation for COP15 that assessed the contribution of resource efficiency to overall GHG reduction. Below are some extracts that pick up elements relative to the construction sector and the materials used. The text sections and tables below highlight the choices we are making and where we need to focus on next to [...]

The RICS Q4 2009 Report on Commercial Property

The RICS has released its report on the state of the commercial market as of the last quarter of 2009 and it generally bodes well for business. In summary the general messages are: Tenant demand rises further for office and industrial property although retail still lagging. Rents no longer expected to fall in Central London [...]

Return of the Kings

I love Sports. I love doing sports, seeing sports and reading about it, especially in the free issue Sport magazine given out every Friday at stations. It is the highlight of my week. Yes, me, a girl, says that sports is a highlight of my week! Last Friday’s issue (no 136) had stories on Rugby [...]

Low-Carbon UK Threatened by Cuts

According to an article in The Times (Low-carbon UK threatened by cuts by Rebecca  O’Connor, 02.11.09) The CBI has warned that public spending cuts are driving down bids for construction projects to such  low levels that builders will be unable to meet the Government’s low-carbon economy targets. The business leaders’ organisation has begun a campaign [...]

Is Sustainability Still as Important in a Troubled Economic Climate?

Is Sustainability still as important in a troubled economic climate? The current economic climate is extending real-estate life-expectancy according to RICS. Occupiers are now more likely to refurbish their existing offices than seek new ones but while there are proven methods for labeling the environmental performance of whole buildings, fit out has remained a sustainability [...]