Here's how you can cultivate a culture of sustainability within your organization in sustainable design.

The most important part of being an advocate for any positive change is walking the talk. People won't take you seriously if you yourself don't do what you advise others to do. And people won't be inspired if they don't see someone showing them it's possible....

Sustainability starts with a long programmed item/manufacture/building lifespan first combined with re-use capability. Apply this mentality to every aspect of your life and work and you will be on the right track

Walk the talk, to claim is one thing but to prove is another thing -DSR, What we do in everyday living is a simple thing to prove what we design. Execution and implementation starts and lead by us.

Ensure that our leadership team is committed to sustainability and actively promotes it. This commitment will be visible through policies, communications, and actions.

Actions speak louder than words. Sustainability in organizational culture entails embedding eco-conscious practices, social responsibility, and long-term thinking into the very fabric of an organization. It goes beyond mere compliance with regulations, fostering a mindset where environmental and social impacts are considered integral to decision-making processes. From reducing carbon footprints to fostering diversity and inclusion, sustainable organizational cultures prioritize not just profitability but also the well-being of stakeholders and the planet. Such cultures often manifest in transparent communication, employee engagement in sustainability initiatives, and commitment to continuous improvement towards a more sustainable future

💡Sharing knowledge is key. It provides a gateway for influence towards colleagues and may inspire them to think of sustainable design during their workflow. In my experience as a Senior Designer, being able to present and showcase new sustainable products or sustainable ways during design helps make a mark especially for graduates. The influence of being able to do more and be better provides a positive outcome and as specifiers we have the ability for these choices to be followed through and eventually implemented.

Remember when pulling together educational opportunities to teach about sustainability, and sustainable design: Not everyone will have the same focus, bandwidth, or support, to learn at the speed you may teach. Regular refreshers, evergreen content, open-ended challenges, and yearly workshops and interest groups will help you approach designers at all levels and abilities. Pay attention to what types of activities pair well with your attendees and students excitement and learning styles. Can you combine sustainable principles with accessibility or social impact projects? How about a new initiative led by another organizational leader? Finding a win-win, and multiple practical applications will help your teams practice and make it their own.

Conduct regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions on sustainable design principles and practices in the organization, and also encourage employees to pursue certifications and courses in sustainable design and related fields.

I recommend using participatory approaches that allow participants to visualize the system they are working in and, from this, identify opportunities to amplify the positive aspects and reduce the negative ones. I really like Theory U, because it starts from the premise that it is important to visualize situations in depth and not just what is easily visible. Two interesting tools are 3D Mapping and the Iceberg Model.

Education is the cornerstone of sustainability. To cultivate a regenerative culture, provide comprehensive training on sustainability principles and practices. Encourage team members to explore topics such as renewable energy, circular economy, and biodiversity. Offer workshops, guest speakers, and collaborative projects that engage employees and build a shared understanding of why sustainability matters. When people understand the "why" behind sustainability, they are more likely to commit to it.

Innovation is at the heart of a regenerative organization. Encourage creative thinking and experimentation to find new solutions that benefit people and the planet. Create spaces for brainstorming and design thinking sessions, where teams can explore sustainable design concepts. Highlight success stories and celebrate innovative approaches that reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote social equity. By fostering innovation, you create an environment where sustainability thrives. We need exponential innovation and mindset in every single organization.

If you don't foster a culture of sustainable innovation you don't run the risk of bearing the entire yourself. You also run the risk of your efforts not being valued. Additionally involving the entire team also lets you tap into the potential of your organization's team's diverse perspectives....

El diseño eficiente es clave para la arquitectura sostenible. Esto implica considerar la orientación solar, la ventilación natural, la iluminación natural y la eficiencia energética en la elección de materiales y sistemas de construcción. La implementación de certificaciones y normas como LEED, WELL y Passivhaus puede ayudar a garantizar que los edificios sean sostenibles y eficientes. Asi se genera un plus que los clientes van a comenzar a demandar paulatinamente.

While bringing positive change to any organization, you'll need to make it accessible to the entire organization. Take one step at a time through practical milestones. And involve other teammates in your efforts to foster a culture of sustainability....

Generar políticas ecológicas requiere un impulso inicial a traves de beneficios económicos, subcidios estatales y exoneraciones a privados que adopten la sostenibilidad en sus emprendimientos.

As the saying goes, what doesn't get measured doesn't get improved. Take not to fall into the traps on either side of the spectrum. Don't ignore measuring progress as a whole. And don't hurry in it not giving time for your efforts to bring in numbers....

El monitoreo y evaluación del desempeño de los edificios es fundamental para identificar áreas de mejora y ajustar las estrategias de sostenibilidad.

We can create cross-functional green teams or committees to lead sustainability initiatives and foster collaboration across departments in the organization, and also implement incentive programs to reward employees who contribute to sustainability goals, like reducing waste, proposing sustainable ideas or strategies and developing sustainable products.

Engagement with stakeholders is crucial for a regenerative organization. Create opportunities for dialogue with employees, customers, suppliers, and the local community. Establish sustainability committees or working groups that include diverse voices. Solicit feedback and ideas on how to improve sustainability practices. By involving stakeholders, you create a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for the organization's sustainability journey.

One client, a furniture manufacturer, fostered a culture of sustainability by engaging stakeholders at every level. They hosted regular workshops where employees, suppliers, and customers co-created ideas for reducing waste and improving sourcing practices. By aligning sustainability goals across the supply chain and inviting clients to contribute, they reduced raw material waste by 20% in one year. This inclusive approach built stronger relationships while positioning the company as an inspiring leader in sustainable design.

Encourage collaboration between designers, engineers, and other stakeholders to develop innovative sustainable solutions, and the organization will be transparent about our sustainability efforts and progress, and invite feedback from various stakeholders.

Traditional Indian practices often embody the "less is more" ethos, emphasizing simplicity, resourcefulness, and harmony with nature. Concepts such as Ayurveda, which promotes holistic health using natural remedies, and practices like minimalistic living in rural communities showcase this philosophy well. Principles of Vastushastra, emphasize simplicity and harmony. Vastushastra guides us to create balanced living spaces by aligning architecture with natural elements, promoting well-being and prosperity. Incorporating such traditional wisdom and timeless principles into modern sustainability efforts can provide valuable insights and ingenious solutions.

In addition to these key points, consider the following to further cultivate a culture of sustainability: * Mindfulness and Well-being: Encourage practices that promote mental and physical well-being, such as mindfulness sessions and health-oriented initiatives. A healthy workforce contributes to a regenerative organization. * Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations and nonprofits that share sustainability goals. This fosters community connections and amplifies the positive impact. * Long-Term Vision: Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Develop a long-term vision that guides your organization toward continuous growth and positive change.

I think biomimicry is the way to go for sustainable models. What wisdom could we apply from our natural environment to our organizational environments? -Diversity is key to resilience within a system. -Collaboration is the most efficient structure for a living network. -Adaptability is crucial to growth. Everything we need to know is under our feet.