{"id":1004576941,"date":"2022-04-27T12:42:35","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T20:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/?p=1004576941"},"modified":"2022-12-08T19:44:15","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T03:44:15","slug":"how-designers-put-natural-materials-to-work-in-the-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-designers-put-natural-materials-to-work-in-the-office\/","title":{"rendered":"How Designers Put Natural Materials to Work in the Office"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1004576949\" data-id=\"1004576949\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_1.jpg?w=696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_1.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_1.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_1.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Hacker Architects designed the two-building, 300,000-square-foot office property Field Office in Portland, Ore. The development, described as the \u201canti-office\u201d on its website, incorporates biophilic design throughout the property, which has 78 species of plants and trees. Photo credit: Josh Partee<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1004576950\" data-id=\"1004576950\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_2.jpg?w=696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_2.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_2.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_2.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Field-Office_2.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Hacker Architects designed the two-building, 300,000-square-foot office property Field Office in Portland, Ore. The development, described as the \u201canti-office\u201d on its website, incorporates biophilic design throughout the property, which has 78 species of plants and trees. Photo credit: KuDa Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"807\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1004576951\" data-id=\"1004576951\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Maars-Living-Walls.jpg?w=696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Maars-Living-Walls.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Maars-Living-Walls.jpg?resize=300,202 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Maars-Living-Walls.jpg?resize=768,516 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Maars-Living-Walls.jpg?resize=1024,689 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">This customizable partition system by Maars Living Walls was designed to be easily disassembled and uses recycled content and can feature living moss, among other configurations. Photo credit: Maars Living Walls<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1004576952\" data-id=\"1004576952\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Mohawk-Group-Smart-City.jpg?w=696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Mohawk-Group-Smart-City.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Mohawk-Group-Smart-City.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Mohawk-Group-Smart-City.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Mohawk-Group-Smart-City.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">This Smart City carpet plank system by Mohawk Group is made from recycled content, carbon neutral, LBC Red List Free, and is Living Product Challenge Petal certified. Photo credit: Mohawk Group<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"771\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1004576953\" data-id=\"1004576953\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/PAELivingBuilding.jpg?w=696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/PAELivingBuilding.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/PAELivingBuilding.jpg?resize=300,193 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/PAELivingBuilding.jpg?resize=768,493 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/PAELivingBuilding.jpg?resize=1024,658 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Designed by ZGF Architects, PAE Living Building was built using 2,737 items that are Red List-free, with more than 50 percent of the building\u2019s materials sourced locally and regionally. The property is the largest commercial urban Living Building in the world and has 2,000 tons of embodied carbon. Image courtesy of ZGF Architects<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Office buildings are getting greener.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/mydigitalpublication.com\/publication\/?i=745949\" style=\"background-color:#00aeab\">READ THE DIGEST<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Faced with an increasing number of rules and regulations surrounding carbon emissions, companies with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-much-does-sustainability-matter-in-cre-transactions\/\">revised sustainability goals<\/a>, and a pandemic-changed world, the march toward greener pastures continues.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s not just about buildings using less energy overall. The materials used in office interiors\u2014from carpet to wall insulation\u2014are getting more sustainable and less traditional. New developments across the country are featuring an array of cutting-edge solutions, such as insulation made from mushrooms, carpets made from recycled water bottles and living walls made from lichen and moss.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/manhattan-architects-reveal-the-future-of-the-workspace\/\">Architects Share Visions of the Workspace\u2019s Future<\/a><\/p>\n<hr>\n<div id=\"attachment_1004576943\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1004576943\" data-attachment-id=\"1004576943\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-designers-put-natural-materials-to-work-in-the-office\/scott-star-product-development-leader-gensler\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Caroline LeFevre&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D Mark IV&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1569406591&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Caroline LeFevre, courtesy of Gensler&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Scott Star, Product Development Leader, Gensler\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Scott Star, Product Development Leader, Gensler&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"wp-image-1004576943\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Scott-Star-Product-Development-Leader-Gensler.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1004576943\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scott Star, Product Development Leader, Gensler<\/p><\/div><p><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s something that\u2019s being driven from a lot of directions,\u201d said Scott Star, global leader of product development at Gensler.<\/p>\n<p>Workplaces are not only being designed using more natural materials, but the design is being inspired by elements of nature, too. From furniture that evokes the local ecosystem to bringing plants and trees inside the office\u2014it\u2019s all part of the biophilic design concept that has gained ground in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think there will be an evolution not to places that literally look natural, but that feel and are experienced naturally,\u201d said Corey Martin, principal at Hacker Architects, a Portland, Ore.-based firm.<\/p>\n<h2>Materials gaining traction<\/h2>\n<p>The market for non-traditional materials is exploding. New inventions and companies are sprouting up all over the place, focusing on driving down embodied carbon, according to industry experts, who expect the trend to continue.<\/p>\n<p>Lona Rerick is an associate principal at ZGF Architects, another Portland-based firm. She joined the company seven years ago to concentrate on sustainable materials, something she \u201ckept gravitating\u201d toward throughout her career. Rerick is on the forefront of the latest trends and innovations. She\u2019s seeing a big push lately toward healthier, low-embodied carbon materials, something that dovetails with what companies and employers are focusing on more.<\/p>\n<p>One of her firm\u2019s most sustainable office developments is the PAE Living Building in Portland. The 58,000-square-foot development was constructed with cutting-edge sustainable materials, designed to meet Living Building Challenge certification. Completed last year, the office property embodies cross-laminated timber and 2,737 items that are Red List-free.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/top-10-states-for-leed-certified-office-properties-in-2021\/\">Top 10 States for LEED-Certified Office Properties<\/a><\/p>\n<hr>\n<div id=\"attachment_1004576945\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Lona-Rerick-Associate-Principal-ZGF-Architects.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1004576945\" data-attachment-id=\"1004576945\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-designers-put-natural-materials-to-work-in-the-office\/lona-rerick-associate-principal-zgf-architects\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Lona-Rerick-Associate-Principal-ZGF-Architects.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"830,623\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Lona Rerick, Associate Principal, ZGF Architects\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Lona Rerick, Associate Principal, ZGF Architects&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Lona-Rerick-Associate-Principal-ZGF-Architects.jpg?w=830\" class=\"wp-image-1004576945\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Lona-Rerick-Associate-Principal-ZGF-Architects.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Lona-Rerick-Associate-Principal-ZGF-Architects.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Lona-Rerick-Associate-Principal-ZGF-Architects.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Lona-Rerick-Associate-Principal-ZGF-Architects.jpg?resize=768,576 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1004576945\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lona Rerick, Associate Principal, ZGF Architects<\/p><\/div><p><\/p>\n<p>For those looking for more sustainable materials in their workplace design, the Red List is a good place to start\u2014at least when looking at what to avoid. It refers to a set of chemicals and chemical groups that have been designated as most harmful to humans and other creatures. Groups such as the Environmental Protection Agency and International Living Future Institute have created their own Red Lists.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re basically avoiding any of those chemical ingredients,\u201d said Rerick.<\/p>\n<p>Reclaimed and natural materials drive a growing trend, and they support goals around embodied carbon and using solid wood, which naturally sequesters carbon. \u201cYou kind of lock in carbon savings in your building by using natural materials,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Bamboo, cork, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/spotlight-on-arizonas-1st-cross-laminated-timber-office-project\/\">cross-laminated timber<\/a> and recycled steel are also part of the non-traditional materials trend. They can and have been used for roofs, walls, floors and foundation.<\/p>\n<p>There has been a movement in office carpet design toward having more Red List-free materials. There are now numerous options for office users and owners looking to have more sustainable carpeting, with many offerings now made mostly out of recycled content.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1004576946\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1004576946\" data-attachment-id=\"1004576946\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-designers-put-natural-materials-to-work-in-the-office\/brett-baba-co-founder-graham-baba-architects\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Brett Baba, Co-founder, Graham Baba Architects\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Brett Baba, Co-founder, Graham Baba Architects&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"wp-image-1004576946\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Brett-Baba-Co-founder-Graham-Baba-Architects.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1004576946\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brett Baba, Co-founder, Graham Baba Architects<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Grown materials are also gaining traction. Though still in early research and implementation phases, Rerick is starting to see these products on the market. Mycelium, a root-like structure of a fungus, is being touted as a solution for buildings looking to go carbon negative. The fungi have been shown to be fire-resistant and adept at storing carbon.<\/p>\n<p>Rerick\u2019s firm has used a tile in their designs called Biolith, that she describes as \u201cliterally a grown tile.\u201d The product, described as biocement, is grown with natural microorganisms and is lighter than natural stone. Grown materials like this have been popular in the fashion industry as of late as an alternative to animal leather and traditional manufacturing of fabrics.<\/p>\n<h2>Hitting the right notes<\/h2>\n<p>All these innovations are important to the industry, but professionals educating themselves on what they are and what they could mean for their work are more important, said Rerick. A growing number of websites and resources for sustainable and alternative materials have popped up recently, which has helped bring more innovation, ideas and awareness to the industry.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think the explosion we\u2019re seeing right now is in information about the materials. We certainly see new materials every year,\u201d she said. \u201cThe more important thing for sustainable materials is we have so much more info.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Right now, burgeoning areas of research include using materials salvaged from the aftermath of a forest fire and using 3D printing technology in interior finishes. While the sustainability and wellness benefits are obvious, do these kinds of materials cost more than traditional resources?<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, yes. But the more manufacturers use alternative and sustainable materials, the more prices should drop. \u201cGreen products cost more, but we\u2019re starting to see that go away,\u201d said Rerick.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/greening-an-entire-city-the-ithaca-model\/\">Greening an Entire City: The Ithaca Model<\/a><\/p>\n<hr>\n<div id=\"attachment_1004576947\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1004576947\" data-attachment-id=\"1004576947\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-designers-put-natural-materials-to-work-in-the-office\/corey-martin-principal-hacker-architects\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"3385,2539\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 7D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1626045696&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;50&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Corey Martin, Principal, Hacker Architects\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Corey Martin, Principal, Hacker Architects&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"wp-image-1004576947\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg 3385w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/Corey-Martin-Principal-Hacker-Architects.jpg?resize=2048,1536 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1004576947\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Corey Martin, Principal, Hacker Architects<\/p><\/div><p><\/p>\n<p>Star spent more than 20 years working for manufacturers in product design for an array of industries, including office furniture, before joining Gensler. He has seen manufacturers become increasingly more interested in using recycled materials.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe benefit of doing that is it drives down embodied carbon, which is a very important issue,\u201d Star said.<\/p>\n<p>One product he has seen that hits on all the latest office trends is a partition system made with recycled content. The panels are designed to be easily disassembled and have a variety of configurations, including living walls with green grass, moss, cork boards, whiteboards and solid metal for privacy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a product really talking about flexibility needed in today\u2019s workspace but has a great environmental story for assembly and materiality,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is really a poster child product for everything happening in office right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mydigitalpublication.com\/publication\/?i=745949\"><em>Read the May 2022 issue of CPE.<\/em><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Innovative solutions are sprouting up. Here\u2019s why experts say they\u2019ll be the new norm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":745,"featured_media":1004576948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21782,1521,21785,21786],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1004576941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-development","category-digital","category-property-management","category-sustainability"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v24.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Designers Put Natural Materials to Work in the Office<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sustainable innovations for the office environment are sprouting up. 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