Sustainability - Interior Design Declares
I have attended, and have taken part in numerous panel discussions on the subject of sustainability. My interest in the subject started when I was at college where I started to learn about interior design and architecture. At university I wrote my dissertation for my Interior Architecture degree on sustainability and how it would shape our future and that of design. That was over 20 years ago, Howard my tutor repeatedly told me nothing would come of it, and the effort won't achieve anything - looking back now I see he was encouraging me by trying to dissuade me and fill me with more passion.
Having set up my own interior design studio I have been ruminating over the 'about me', 'what we do' text, and it's been very thought provoking, seeing your decisions as a designer in terms of what a client needs, and how you can have a broader positive impact with a sustainable approach. We are all custodians of our planet and with the scientific and actual proof of its life-changing effects on our future, we all need to step up and be the change that we want to see.
Following a couple of years of creative work in retail, branding, commercial office and residential design I decided to work for an architecture firm to build my understanding of how to turn my creative ideas into reality. As I learned to specify interior design finishes, working on projects that were to meet Breeam criteria, I felt like I was helping in my own small way. Over the years with technological advancements, the products available to select from have increased but not at the pace needed. As a profession, designers need to put pressure on suppliers to bring more sustainable alternatives to the market and when proposing options to clients as many as possible should meet sustainable criteria.
After becoming involved with the British Institute of Interior Design back in 2015, I have worked my way up through the ranks to become President. My passion for sustainability, circular design and a regenerative future have been nurtured by London’s fantastic design & sustainability community. In an ever evolving industry, keeping up to date on the developments in finishes, technologies, listening to podcasts and attending talk and events keeps my passion alive.
The journey to circularity is just starting, I tell students, clients and suppliers that it's about steps in the right direction, no matter how small. Research into what changes you can make on a personal level, a bar of soap in the shower, rather than a plastic bottle. A reusable coffee cup. Cycling more, using public transport. Remember - “Learn to be happy with what you need, not what you want.”
I am very happy to be a signatory of Interior Design Declares, highlighting Freeman Studio’s commitment to addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency. We will seek to:
Raise awareness of the climate and biodiversity emergencies and the urgent need for action amongst our clients and supply chains.
Advocate for faster change in our industry towards regenerative design practices and a higher Governmental funding priority to support this.
Share knowledge and research to that end on an open source basis.
Evaluate all new projects against the aspiration to contribute positively to mitigating climate breakdown, and encourage our clients to adopt this approach.
Work towards including life cycle costing, whole life carbon modelling and post-occupancy evaluation as part of our basic scope of work, to reduce both embodied and operational resource use.
Work with others in the construction industry to upgrade existing buildings for extended use as a more carbon-efficient alternative to demolition and new build whenever there is a viable choice.
Act to address the disproportionate impact of these crises on disadvantaged communities and ensure that all mitigation and adaptation efforts address the needs of all people.
Ensure diverse and inclusive principles are implemented in hiring and retaining staff so that people of all backgrounds can participate in decision-making about the future of the designed environment
Request 3rd party certification or similar demonstration of environmental provenance and impact for each product specified.
Adopt more regenerative design principles in our studios, with the aim of designing spaces which go beyond the standard of net-zero carbon, including the specification of ultra low energy appliances.
Accelerate the shift to low embodied carbon materials in all our work. Seek to reuse and recycle products and materials at every available opportunity.
Minimise wasteful use of resources in interior design, both in quantum and in detail. Collaborate with all members of the industry to further reduce construction and packaging waste.
