September 23, 2025
Sustainable Design Collective hosts ’speed dating’ style talks
Members of the Sustainable Design Collective including sustainability specialists from leading workplace design practices, such as Perkins & Will, TP Bennett (main image), BDP, JRA, Overbury and Siren Design, are offering the opportunity to join ’speed dating’ style round table discussions. To be held on Wednesday 1st October, 4-6pm at the Crypt on the Green in Clerkenwell, manufacturers, suppliers, designers, project and facilities manager are invited to join one of the round table discussions hosted by SDC members. After 20 minutes, the whistle will blow and that’s the opportunity to change tables. Topics include: Achieving greater circularity; Understanding Supply Chains & Adding social value; Sustainability & Technology; Project Assessments.
“We hear from so many manufacturers and suppliers that they wish to join in the debate,” explains Harsha Kotak, co-founder of The Sustainable Design Collective. “This provides the perfect opportunity. It’s really important that all members of the workplace design community collaborate and work together to understand the difficulties and barriers to develop ‘real life’ solutions.”
One of the tables during the event will focus on sustainability and technology. With so much debate about the role of AI and the climate impact of the increasing number of data centres, how can technology and sustainability be compatible? Asset management systems and the arrival of digital product passports are important developments to support greater circularity and ensuring product longevity and value retention.
“Most projects include a combination of new and second life products,” continues Joanna Knight, joint co-founder of SDC. “Designers need to consider how they will evaluate the sustainability features of new products. How do they see through the marketing ‘hype’ to make valued judgements? The round table discussions allows for all players within the workplace design community to understand perspectives and requirements.”
“We also need to consider issues regarding storytelling. How should we be communicating the importance of change and welcome the addition of second life products if we are really going to achieve greater sustainability?”
The event is part of SDC’s commitment to knowledge sharing to continue to drive greater sustainability within workplace design. Tickets are limited and available from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainable-design-mini-forum-2025-tickets-1631585077889
Joanna Knight has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, sales, PR and journalism in the office / workplace sector and is currently moderator for the Sustainability and Circular Economy Group at Women in Office Design and Council member at the Furniture Industry Research Association.
