Koskela

Koskela up and running at #circularity2024. Come and find us to learn about the Koskela+ Furniture as a Service (subscription) service for commercial office furniture.

How much impact can #interiordesigners decisions about FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) actually have on the embodied carbon of a fit out? It turns out that those decisions can have a huge impact. There's a widespread misconception that the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) of a building contribute just 7 to 10 percent of its total carbon footprint. However, a comprehensive two-year study by the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) and Seattle’s LMN Architects reveals a different reality: over the full life span of an average building, the carbon footprint of its interior elements can match or even surpass that of the building's construction itself. Using the LMN office as case study, the CLF along with LMN associate designer Jenn Chen, WELL AP and director of sustainable design Kjell Anderson, FAIA, LEED Fellow concluded that the space had been renovated about every nine years since the firm arrived in 1984. Given that, the cumulative embodied carbon of the interior renovations (i.e., the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, transportation and installation of the materials) actually surpassed the emissions of the building. “It isn’t just that you complete a building and then the carbon footprint stays the same for the 60 years it’s used,” says Anderson. “People are renovating the interiors much more often than that, and that has its own impact each time. Overall, when you combine the A&D industry coupled with the building industry, it has the same impact on climate change as the oil industry. That’s a massive footprint, and we need to take responsibility for that.” In Australia, with lease terms shrinking to around 5 years and with 75% of all commercial leases being for spec suite or pre-fitted offices, the impact of these decisions will be even higher as refits occur more frequently. A key pillar of Koskela #circularity transition is to improve the way our products are designed. We've been re-designing our range to make it easy, cost effective and carbon effective to repair, enabling designers to easily incorporate re-use into a fitout without feeling like they need to compromise on their design intent. Win win! #circularity #australianmade #australiandesign

Woods Bagot is proud to announce that Property & Development NSW (PDNSW) won the Yardi Award for Best Workplace Project for the NSW Government Workplace Hub at 6 Parramatta Square (6PSQ) at this year's Property Council of Australia Innovation and Excellence Awards. Working closely with PDNSW, Woods Bagot provided one of largest-ever office design projects in Australia, with 15 levels of integrated fitout at 6PSQ. Director Amanda Stanaway says, “the role of traditional, physical offices has never been more important, providing a central collaboration space and cultural touchstone. Like most of our clients, the NSW Government continues to evolve how they curate their workforce, elevating the role the physical office plays in enabling culture, connection, and collaboration.” Read more here: https://bit.ly/4epCoP7 #WoodsBagot #PeopleArchitecture #Workplace

When designing classrooms and educational spaces, inspiring environments needs to meet cost-effectiveness and sustainability. As architects and designers, how can you create schools that are easy to maintain, cost-effective, and built to last? One of the critical challenges in educational design is balancing initial costs with long-term savings. The choice of materials and products directly impacts maintenance costs, durability, and ease of upkeep. With the increasing focus on sustainability and the circular economy, integrating sustainable materials like Critical. Cleanstone is also a smart financial decision. And this was one of the reasons why a few weeks back at the Melbourne Green Design Show I was really excited to interview Sasha Titchkosky, founder of Koskela about their beautiful school chair. Its elegant style is reminiscent of the iconic classroom chair! The coming together of beautifully folded steel legs paired with our Clear Cleanstone - made from 100% recycled soft plastics and packaging. I love how it's formed to shape as well as it's translucent properties! Ātaahua!! Imagine a school where maintenance is a breeze, costs are kept in check, and the design remains as fresh and functional as the day it was completed. By carefully selecting the right materials and systems, you can achieve this balance and create spaces and products that stand the test of time. Here are three simple ways you can make your next educational design project more sustainable and cost effective: Choose Durable, Low-Maintenance Products and Materials: Select sustainable materials that offer both durability and ease of upkeep, such as recycled plastic panels. These materials not only reduce the environmental impact but also lower long-term maintenance costs, ensuring the school remains functional and attractive for longer. Plan for Future Flexibility: Design with adaptability in mind. Modular and flexible designs allow spaces to be easily reconfigured as needs change, reducing the need for costly renovations and aligning with the principles of the circular economy. Partner with Values Aligned Suppliers: Like Koskela and REVERT GROUP where design meets durability and circularity. Integrating sustainable materials and thoughtful design strategies can lead to significant long-term savings in your next school design. Shoutout to our partner Paul Rosenberg Vella from REVERT GROUP whose incredible 'Pathways' program enables Critical. to achieve circularity in Australia. I run a green materials company called Critical. and we help designers and brands create beautiful products and spaces using 100% recycled plastic panels called Cleanstone. If your working on a product range or a fit out send me a DM or reach out on: Criticaldesign.nz #SustainableDesign #CircularEconomy #EducationDesign #FitOut #RecycledMaterials #Architecture #InteriorDesign #GreenBuilding #CostEffectiveDesign #SchoolDesign

Join us at Design Declares: Rethinking our Role on July 23rd for a special talk by Tim Ross, @modernister, comedian, and design advocate. Tim Ross, known for his popular TV shows Designing a Legacy and Streets of Our Town, is passionate about design and its impact on our past and future. Tim brings a unique and entertaining perspective on the importance of design in fostering connected communities and a legacy. 🗓️ Date: Tue 23rd July 2024 🕕 Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm AEST 📍 Location: Greenhouse Tech Hub, Level 3, 180 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 🎟️ Price: FREE (Get your tickets in Bio!) https://lnkd.in/g2Qd45CQ Hosted by Greenhouse 🌿 #Sustainability #Design #Event #Greenhouse #ClimatePositive #TimRoss #DesignDeclares #SydneyEvents