Faye Robinson’s bright ideas for sustainable office design

Embracing sustainability in your workspace is a win-win – for the environment and your pocket, as energy efficiency often translates to cost savings. 

But how do you go about making your office greener? Faye Robinson is our go-to expert on this topic. She’s the founder of Treacle Studio, where innovation meets eco-consciousness to create lighting designs people (and the planet) love.  

Our Manchester office is a glowing example (pun intended) of Faye’s talent. In light of the European Week for Waste Reduction, we invited her to share her sustainable office design insights.  

“Sustainability begins by valuing what you already have,” Faye says. “Whether it’s desks in an office or existing lighting, the first step is to see how you can repurpose and reduce your need for new materials. It’s not just about buying eco-friendly products but understanding the real journey of your products.” 

“We have to remember that resources aren’t endless. It’s up to us to make wise choices today for a sustainable future.” 

“It helps to have the right guidelines when designing sustainable spaces,” Faye elaborates. “Take TM66, for instance. This framework is a godsend for creatives, manufacturers and anyone using a space. It ignites sustainable thinking from a project’s inception. It nudges us to prioritise reuse, cut down on new materials and holistically view the entire design and installation phase, always with the environment in mind.” 

Faye continues, “With the luminaire’s metal body intact and the old lamps recycled, our next step was to source sustainable modules. That’s when I thought of LumiAdd. I’ve worked with them in the past, and they do exciting stuff with 3D printing and have this circular economy mindset which I love. 

“We selected LumiAdd’s downlight and wall washer range for Tyler Grange’s office. The reflectors, which push the light where it’s needed, have been 3D printed.  

Faye offers her key advice for businesses wanting to create more sustainable offices: “First, take a good look around your office. Write down what you have. It’s simple: know what’s in your space. If you ever think of changing things up or moving stuff around, this list helps you decide what to keep, what to give away or what to change. It might seem like a small step, but it makes a big difference when it’s time to redesign your office.” 

Building on that, she says, “I’ve also noticed smaller companies doing some of the best work in this area. They’re quick to adapt and they’re coming up with smart ways to be more eco-friendly, especially with the materials they use. 

“So, if you run a smaller business, act now. Look into how you can incorporate sustainable practices and materials into your workspace. You have the power to make a difference, so start exploring your options.” 

She not only shared valuable insights, but she also transformed our Manchester office into a sustainable haven. Thanks to her, we now have a workspace that’s both inviting and environmentally friendly. 

Looking to brighten up your workspace with sustainable lighting? Reach out to Treacle Studio at 0161 818 8488 or hello@treaclestudio.com. And for additional sustainability tips for your business, be sure to follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.