Sustainability has been part of the ethos of iOTA Interiors for some time, and now that commitment has been recognised with an impressive win against tough opposition at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards.
As the company’s win in the Sustainability Award category was announced, host Rob Beckett told the audience that the judges had commended iOTA Interior’s work for being ‘incredibly hands on and very original, creative and innovative’ and went on to mention ‘a real commitment and dedication to ensuring a more sustainable future’.
Key to iOTA Interior’s success was its work as the official partner for Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes of Plastic Whale by Vepa, a company that produces furniture made from a variety of recovered and recycled items, including PET bottles that have been dredged from the canals in Amsterdam. Vepa has also offers a range of Hemp chairs, made entirely from organic and plant-based materials that absorb rather than emit CO2. Hemp, which grows without artificial fertiliser and needs very little water, is also very strong and the materials can be recycled at the end of the chairs’ useful life.
Emma Walker, Director of iOTA Interiors, said:
“Winning the award was an incredible feeling, it means so much to us, because we are on a mission to provide more sustainable furniture solutions within businesses.
“According to a recent report 22 million pieces of furniture are discarded each year in the UK, and a majority of that ends up in landfill. We are striving to educate our clients on office furniture that is produced from sustainably sourced materials, or made from traceable recycled materials and, to top it off, are 100% recyclable, making these furniture products truly circular.
“The manufacturers we work with possess all the relevant environmental accreditations and offer high-quality, sustainable furniture by utilising unique materials that are responsibly sourced, such as bamboo, hemp, recycled plastics, recycled felt, cork, rebar and fishing nets.
“Many sustainable furniture pieces have already been installed across Northamptonshire and the UK. We are at the beginning of something big and commercial, sustainable furniture options are growing. And we are here for it… it’s such an exciting time!”
iOTA Interiors offers project design, space planning and, most importantly, access to the right products to meet the needs of the workplace, from desks and chairs, through to quirky design touches.
The team sits down with clients to take them through an in-depth consultation, working with the client to get a full understanding of their business, staff and technologies as well as finding out what the client’s brand identity means to them, what motivates staff and what they are hoping to achieve through the space.
CAD software allows the team to create initial designs including 2D and 3D plans and renders. These present the client with a vision of a space that not only reflects their brand and vision but offers a functional working space that inspires and encourages peak performance. Specialist knowledge throughout the team allows clients to consider other ways in which they may need to meet the needs of their employees.
It is thought that around 15 to 20% of people are considered to be neurodivergent, and that those people may not be at their most productive in the same environment as those who are not neurodivergent. iOTA’s workplace consultants can assist a client in building an office around inclusivity, so that the business is better equipped to meet the needs of all employees. An inclusive design can also be attractive when it comes to recruiting new members to the team.
With so many products and ideas on the market, it can be a difficult to choose the right commercial furniture, so iOTA has created a showroom on Quinton Green Business Park where clients can visit to see and try items for themselves.
Emma added:
“Furniture can be a significant investment and so it’s important to look at all factors when you’re creating the office you want. Designing somewhere that shows the values of your company, whether it’s in terms of wellbeing, inclusion or sustainability, is possible but it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start.
“That’s why iOTA Interiors are proud to have the expert knowledge, combined with many different options for our clients to consider.”
Find out more about iOTA Interiors on 01604 289630 or at www.iotainteriors.co.uk
