Understanding Sustainable Office Design Accreditations

They not only help reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint but also contribute to healthier, more productive environments. More businesses across the UK are striving to create workspaces that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and supportive of employee mental health.

When you involve a workplace specialist like Ikon early in your next office move, we can guide your organisation through key accreditations during the planning and fit-out process, ensuring your office space aligns with industry-leading standards. Whether youʼre designing a new office or upgrading an existing one, weʼll help you create a workspace that supports your sustainability and productivity aspirations.

While we design to meet the standards of key sustainability accreditations as standard, it’s important to note that the process of obtaining formal accreditation can be both time-consuming and costly. If achieving certification through an external accreditor is deemed necessary, we’re here to guide you through that process. However, it’s also common for clients to reconsider based on the associated costs, and we’re happy to discuss whether formal certification is financially practical or if a design-only approach can meet your sustainability objectives.

In this article, we break down four key office design certifications - BREEAM, LEED, SKA, and WELL - why these accreditations matter when choosing your office space, the purpose they serve, and how their rating systems work.

BREEAM

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an accreditation that promotes the creation of eco-friendly environments that not only reduce environmental impact but also boost employee wellbeing and productivity. It evaluates a variety of a building’s environmental performance, including:

• Energy use
• Waste management
• Water efficiency
• Employee wellbeing

BREEAM rating levels

The BREEAM rating scale has six levels:

• Unclassified – The building doesnʼt meet the minimum standards to pass.
• Pass – The building meets basic sustainability standards.
• Good – The building demonstrates sound sustainability.
• Very Good – The building demonstrates strong sustainability across multiple areas.
• Excellent – The building demonstrates best practice sustainability.
• Outstanding – The building demonstrates exemplary sustainability.

For example, The Point’ building in Paddington, where Ikon delivered a statement office fit-out for Alpha Group, achieved a BREEAM ‘Very good’ rating, and The Leadenhall Building, where Ikon has delivered multiple projects for London’s top insurance firms achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating.

LEED

LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognised certification system for evaluating environmentally responsible and resource-efficient buildings. LEED-certified offices focus on creating a greener workplace, delivering long-term cost savings while enhancing employee wellbeing. It assesses areas such as:

• Energy efficiency
• Water conservation
• Indoor air quality
• Sustainable materials

LEED rating levels

The more points a building earns during its assessment, the higher its LEED rating:

• Certified – 40–49 points
• Silver – 50–59 points
• Gold – 60–79 points
• Platinum – 80+ points

SKA

Developed by RICS and launched in 2009, the SKA (Sustainable Knowledge Assessment) rating is a well-regarded benchmark for assessing the environmental performance of office fit-outs. A SKA-rated office fit-out showcases a company’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while creating a high-performance workspace. SKA ensures office fit-outs incorporate sustainable practices by focusing on:

• Energy efficiency
• Waste reduction
• Responsibly sourced materials

SKA ranking levels

SKA focuses only on fit-outs and offers three certification levels:

• Bronze – Core sustainability criteria have been met.
• Silver –  There has been significant progress in sustainability initiatives throughout the fit-out.
• Gold – Sustainability features have been completely integrated into the fit-out.

WELL

The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based certification focused on human health and well-being in the office environment. WELL-certified offices improve employee satisfaction and overall well-being, reducing absenteeism and improving productivity in the office. WELL-certified buildings must be recertified every three years. It assesses key areas such as:

• Air and water quality
• Lighting
• Thermal comfort
• Mental well-being

WELL ranking levels

Buildings can be awarded WELL certification with the following levels:

• Silver - 50 points were achieved during the assessment
• Gold - 60 points were achieved during the assessment
• Platinum - 80 points were achieved during the assessment

We’re here to help you achieve your sustainability goals

Sustainability certifications offer many benefits, from showcasing your commitment to a sustainable future to proving you’re meeting ESG standards and expectations. It can also unlock government incentives and enhance your credibility with clients.

When you work with Ikon, we’ll help you set clear sustainability objectives and guide you through every stage of the certification process. Our team will work closely with you to create an environment that aligns with your sustainability certification goals while providing you with a workplace that blends creativity with functionality.