Revisit the Insights and Engage in the Conversation

The team here at Synergy Creativ are still buzzing with the excitement from our panel discussion on the Circular Economy in Sustainable Workplaces at Clerkenwell Design Week 2023. The event was a resounding success, and we want to express our sincere gratitude for your presence and active participation. Your contributions made the discussion truly memorable.

Today, we have fantastic news to share with you. The highly anticipated video recording of the panel discussion is now available for viewing on our YouTube channel! This is an incredible opportunity for you to relive the captivating conversations, dive deeper into the topics, and continue your exploration of sustainable workplace design.

We encourage you to engage with the video by leaving comments and sharing your thoughts on the discussion. We believe that ongoing conversations and diverse perspectives enrich the learning experience. Don’t forget to tag us @SynergyCreativ25 and use the event hashtag #CDW2023 in your social media posts related to the video. We’re eager to hear your feedback and foster a community that shares a passion for sustainable design.

During the panel discussion, esteemed professionals and thought leaders in the industry shared their expertise and experiences on the challenges and solutions within the circular economy. Dr. Katherine Adams, Director of Reusefully; Georgia Elliott-Smith, Managing Director of Element Four; Dennis Wirenborg, Export Manager at Zilenzio; and Alex Ings, Technical Manager at Revitalite provided valuable insights that can inspire your own pursuit of sustainable workplace design.

We hope the knowledge gained from our panel discussion will continue to ignite your creativity and passion for creating sustainable work environments. Together, let’s embrace the power of design to protect the planet and enhance the well-being of individuals.

If you have any questions or require further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team. We are here to support and assist you on your sustainability journey.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who attended and engaged during our panel discussion. We are truly grateful for your commitment to the cause. As we move forward, we look forward to keeping you informed about upcoming events and resources that will further inspire and empower you in your pursuit of sustainable design.

Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant and passionate community. Now, let’s continue the conversation and watch the video together!

Biophilic lighting is a lighting design concept that seeks to mimic the natural light patterns and cycles experienced in nature, in an indoor setting. The goal is to create a harmonious and healthier environment that connects people with the natural world and promotes well-being. This type of lighting typically involves adjusting the intensity, colour temperature, and distribution of light to align with the circadian rhythm, the 24-hour biological cycle that regulates sleep and wakefulness in living organisms.

Biophilic lighting can be achieved through various means, such as:

• Dynamic control of light intensity, colour temperature, and distribution to imitate natural daylight conditions.
• Use of tunable white LED lights that can adjust colour temperature throughout the day.
• Incorporation of natural elements such as plants, water features, and materials like wood, stone, and glass into the lighting design.
• Designing lighting schemes that highlight patterns, textures, and shapes found in nature.

In addition to promoting well-being, biophilic lighting has been shown to have positive impacts on mood, productivity, and cognitive function.

biophilic lighting is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the field of architecture, interior design, and lighting design. With the rise of awareness about the impacts of lighting on human health and well-being, more and more designers and building owners are recognizing the benefits of incorporating biophilic principles into their lighting designs.

In addition, advances in lighting technology have made it easier and more cost-effective to implement biophilic lighting, which has further increased its popularity. LED lights, for example, offer high energy efficiency, long lifespan, and the ability to dynamically control colour temperature and intensity, making them well-suited for biophilic lighting applications.

The trend towards biophilic design in general, which encompasses not only lighting but also other elements such as indoor plants, natural materials, and connections to the outdoors, is also contributing to the popularity of biophilic lighting. As people seek to create healthier and more sustainable environments, biophilic lighting is seen as a key tool in achieving these goals.

Check out our range of biophilic lighting which incorporates artificial plants and natural materials to support a biophilic office design.

21 September 2023 Update: UK’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Scrapped

Yesterday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a significant announcement regarding the previously reported EPC target policies. These policies, which had compelled landlords to enhance the energy efficiency of their properties to meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, will now be eliminated. Instead, the government’s focus will shift towards encouraging households to voluntarily improve energy efficiency where feasible. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the fate of the newly introduced target of achieving an energy efficiency rating of D, which came into effect in April 2023. It is unclear whether this target will persist, or if it exclusively applies to the overarching objective of attaining an energy efficiency rating of C by 2025.

Original blog post below

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the UK were introduced in 2018 and require landlords to ensure that their properties have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or higher before they can be let to new tenants or renewals to existing tenants.

As of April 1, 2023, the MEES regulations will be updated to require a minimum EPC rating of D for new tenancies and renewals. This means that landlords must ensure their properties have an EPC rating of D or above before they can let them to new tenants or renewals.

Furthermore, from April 1, 2025, the MEES regulations will be updated again to require a minimum EPC rating of C for new tenancies and renewals.

These regulations apply to all privately rented properties in England and Wales, including domestic and non-domestic properties. There are some exemptions to the regulations, such as certain listed buildings or properties where it is not technically feasible to make the necessary improvements, but these exemptions are limited.

Landlords who fail to comply with the MEES regulations may be subject to financial penalties, with fines of up to £5,000 for domestic properties and up to £150,000 for non-domestic properties.

How can buildings be upgraded to meet the minimum EPC rating of D?

There are several ways that buildings can be upgraded to meet the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D:

1. Install energy-efficient lighting: Upgrading to LED lighting is a simple and effective way to reduce energy consumption and improve the energy efficiency of a building. You can also retrofit old lights with LEDs to be extra environmentally friendly.
2. Improve insulation: Insulating walls, floors, and roofs can help to reduce heat loss and improve the thermal efficiency of a building.
3. Upgrade heating systems: Replacing old and inefficient heating systems with newer, more energy-efficient models can significantly improve a building’s EPC rating.
4. Install renewable energy technologies: Installing solar panels or other renewable energy technologies can help to reduce energy consumption and improve the EPC rating of a building.
5. Improve air tightness: Improving the air tightness of a building can help to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.
6. Upgrade windows and doors: Installing double or triple-glazing and draught-proofing windows and doors can help to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.
7. Consider low-carbon heating options: Consider low-carbon heating options such as heat pumps or district heating systems.

As of April 1, 2023, the MEES regulations will require a minimum EPC rating of D for new tenancies and renewals. From April 1, 2025, the minimum EPC rating requirement will be increased to C. Commercial landlords who fail to meet these requirements may face financial penalties and may be unable to lease their properties to tenants. EIG recently reported that A quarter of London’s commercial stock will be ‘unlettable’ from April following their research in September 2022 EG INVESTIGATION: Landlords face £16bn EPC time bomb

While it is possible that some commercial buildings in inner London may not meet the required EPC ratings, making them “unlettable,” the extent of this issue will depend on various factors, such as the age and condition of the buildings, the type of heating and cooling systems they have, and the availability of energy-efficient upgrades. It is recommended that landlords and building owners take steps to assess their properties’ EPC ratings and take measures to improve their energy efficiency to comply with the MEES regulations.

The above list is just a few examples of the many measures that can be taken to improve the energy efficiency of a building and meet the minimum EPC rating of D. It is recommended to hire a qualified energy assessor to assess the building and provide recommendations on the most effective ways to improve its energy efficiency.

Should you need help upgrading to a new LED lighting system Contact Us Alternatively should you wish to retrofit your existing lighting system with the latest LED technology check out our sister website revitalite.co.uk

In 2023, it is expected that LED linear lighting will continue to be a popular choice for commercial lighting applications due to its energy efficiency, versatility, and long lifespan. Some of the trends in commercial LED linear lighting for 2023 include:

Increased focus on sustainability: With the growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of buildings, LED linear lighting is expected to play a significant role in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in commercial spaces. This can include refurbishing or retrofitting older fittings with the latest LED technology to support the circular economy.

Advancements in lighting technology: LED lighting technology continues to evolve, and 2023 is likely to see further advancements in areas such as colour rendering, tuneable white, and wireless control, among others. This type of lighting is really for the wellbeing of people using the space being lit. Typically the lights are programmed to mimic the natural variations in light intensity and colour temperature that occur throughout the day, with cooler, bluer light in the morning and warmer, redder light in the evening.

Integration with other building systems: LED linear lighting is expected to become increasingly integrated with other building systems, such as lighting control systems, building management systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT), to improve energy efficiency and enhance the user experience.

Aesthetic designs: LED linear lighting is becoming more versatile, with an increasing range of designs, shapes, profiles and finishes available to meet the needs of different commercial spaces.

Enhanced functionality: LED linear lighting is expected to become more functional, with features such as adjustable colour temperature, dimming capabilities, and improved optics becoming increasingly common to improve energy efficiency and wellbeing.

Modular lighting: Modular lighting systems offer several advantages over traditional lighting systems. They are highly customisable, allowing users to create unique lighting arrangements that meet their specific needs. They are also easy to install and maintain, as individual modules can be easily swapped out or replaced as needed to help support the circular economy. Additionally, modular lighting systems can be more energy-efficient than traditional lighting systems, as users can add or remove modules as needed to optimise their lighting output for their specific needs.

Overall, the trend in commercial LED linear lighting in 2023 is expected to be towards more energy-efficient, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing lighting systems that are integrated with other building systems and technologies.

Synergy Creativ offers a wide range of customisable and energy efficient LED linear lighting here You can also check out our article Top Workspace Lighting Design Trends for 2023 for general lighting design trends.