Reading Inspiration for the holidays
Looking for a little reading inspiration? Want to know what inspires our team? Look no further...
'Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the way we make things' is a visionary manifesto by William McDonough and Michael Braungart - it's so good it gets a recommendation in all our Grigoriou Interiors team inductions and Grigoriou Education training courses.
The concept is provocative, but simple. Move away from a one-way "cradle to grave" manufacturing model (that casts off as much as 90% of the materials it uses as waste, much of it toxic) and take nature itself as the model...
A tree produces thousands of blossoms in order to create another tree, yet we do not consider its abundance wasteful but safe, beautiful, and highly effective; thus, "waste equals food" is the first principle the book sets forth.
Elaborating their principles from experience (re)designing everything from carpeting to corporate campuses, McDonough and Braungart make a rousing, and manageable, case for change. We are inspired and follow suit on our own interior designs and delivery of projects.
"A crucial book in the early days of the world-ending climate crisis"
"Great book that any designer or manufacturer should consider reading for a healthier, happier world where life cycles are truly understood."
Available from a world of booksellers. We always recommend a local one...
Have you read it? We'd love to know what you think.
NEW Podcast from GI on Interiors with Purpose
Introducing Interiors with Purpose...
We are so excited to introduce our new podcast series, Interiors with Purpose.
Hosted by our Founder Elina Grigoriou, this first series has been recorded with colleagues Inês Ramada Viana and Izy Dixon, talking across both practical and philosophical themes and topics that go into designing and preserving a beautiful world…
Interiors with Purpose has been created in very much a conversational style, with plenty of laughs in the mix – and deliberately recorded in a mixture of locations, including our workspace at Somerset House, in Central London.
We cover insights, knowledge, FAQs, and often a topic that’s come up in the office that week – it’s a lovely mix of talking points, and a series we hope is as helpful and approachable as it is enjoyable – one that brings sustainable design into practice, and hopefully brings people in to all the possibilities our world of interiors could, and should be.
We give you a little introduction and a taste of what is to come, so without further ado, have a listen by following the Apple podcast link below or look for it also on Spotify!
‘Well’ Designed: The Importance and Differentiators
Wellbeing is not something we simply give to others; it is something we can promote and support using the building, and its interior, as a tool. For this to happen, we need to understand the specific needs of the people who will use the space.
Applying Circularity and Embodied decarbonisation in fit-out projects
At Grigoriou Interiors we are aware there is a growing demand in the industry for office fit-out and refurbishment projects to meet Net Zero Carbon alignment and target requirements, meaning low associated carbon to these projects is required, so they can fit within a specific carbon budget.
Counting Upfront Carbon: The New Report
Within this report we have a wealth of insights – we will be sharing a breakdown of insights in due course, but for now, please do take a look and enjoy the findings we have shared so far – full of possibility and real impact.
Why are user profiles important within interior design?
As designers, getting to know who the design is catering for is half of the equation towards achieving a design that supports wellbeing. So during design brief and concept stages we want to look at and analyse all aspects of the user and the space.
What is design for wellbeing?
Design for wellbeing focuses on creating spaces and environments that promote a sense of comfort by providing true comfort that enables individuals to choose their own wellbeing. It is an approach to design which recognises that true wellbeing cannot be given to someone, but rather, it is a personal choice made by each occupant of an interior space.
How does circularity support net zero?
To gain a broader understanding of the important role that Circular Economy and Circular Design have in our abilities to achieve Net Zero Carbon we first need to understand what circular design and Net Zero mean.
Designing for lower carbon
. In the context of Net Zero and the measurement of an interior fit-out’s embodied carbon, one of our clients recently said that it is relatively easy for a consultant to tell them how bad they are doing but what they need is to know is what to do to get the carbon down!
Circularity Glossary
The circular economy requires a systemic change, a process of thinking through the whole life of the asset (interior or whole building). Circular principles have a regenerative approach and present an opportunity for a sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient future.
Net Zero Carbon Glossary
The sum total of all asset (building/interior) related GHG emissions, both embodied and operational, over an asset’s whole life cycle are minimised, meet local carbon, energy and water targets, and with residual ‘offsets’, then equals zero.
What is an EPD?
If you are looking to learn more about Net Zero, a great place to start is understanding EPDs and how these relate to achieving Net Zero carbon targets.
