As part of the panel discussion, ‘Sustainable Design: Greener, Thriving Spaces for People and Planet’, Phil Towle, Head of Sustainability, explored the importance of aligning stakeholders early in the process to create more resilient sustainability strategies. Discussions also touched on the need to look beyond certifications alone and focus on understanding real impact.
Another key theme centred around authenticity and understanding what genuinely matters to the people using a space. Conversations explored the importance of engaging end users early, building narratives around real behaviours and values, and creating workplaces people feel connected to and invested in. The most successful spaces aren’t generic. They reflect the people they are designed for.
Phil also delivered a session focused on resilient supply chains, exploring the growing pressures facing global procurement and the increasing importance of transparency, traceability and strong supplier relationships in delivering resilient projects and businesses.
Alongside the talks, Future Works presented a condensed version of the Circular Hub, an exhibition co-created with MCM and Nested Living and first shown at Workspace Design Show earlier this year.
Conceived as a near zero-waste installation from the outset, the Circular Hub explored circular design in practice through materials, construction and systems thinking. The exhibition considered how reuse, refurbishment and designing for disassembly can help extend the lifespan of materials beyond a single installation or event.
Following Workplace Design Show, elements of the installation have already been repurposed or returned to suppliers, while the condensed version presented at the Forum will also return as part of this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week at the Ahrend Showroom (EC1M 7AP).
Thank you to the Sustainable Design Collective for bringing together such an engaged and thoughtful day of discussion.
