How Technopolis promotes circularity and low carbon emissions in office transformation projects
For Technopolis, sustainability means more efficient use of space, smart and safe office design and more shared services. Technopolis applies these principles in all of its operations. However, these principles are particularly visible in office space transformation projects, where Technopolis is committed to promoting the circular economy and low carbon emissions.
When there is a change of tenant, it is common to at least update some of the surfaces of the office space. Occasionally, the office space will be fully renovated, including the building services equipment. As Technopolis’ emissions from energy consumption approach zero, other emission reduction measures increase in significance. Nearly 20% of Technopolis’ carbon footprint is caused by office space transformation projects, which is why sustainable solutions can bring significant savings in both emissions and costs.
Embracing the principles of the circular economy has been at the heart of the company's office space transformation projects for years, but now Technopolis has outlined its official circular economy principles to make it even easier to monitor the development and implementation of circularity. As a result, the application of circular economy principles in these projects will be monitored more systematically starting from 2026.
Retain as much as possible and take reuse into account
From the outset, Technopolis’ properties are designed in accordance with circular economy principles to make the use of space as efficient as possible while creating comfortable office spaces. Technopolis properties are flexible, which means that adaptability to a wide range of needs is taken into account in the design of the properties. As a result, the same space can be transformed to meet different kinds of needs when the tenant changes. The Technopolis concept also includes shared spaces: the shared meeting rooms, small offices, restaurants and gyms allow the customer’s own office space to be optimised according to their needs and wishes, which enables efficient use of space.
Reusable materials from the company’s own circular economy warehouse have long been used in Technopolis' office space transformation projects. Technopolis has its own interior design team, which has developed a holistic design concept that favours harmonised colours and surface materials as well as durable furniture. Favouring uniform colours and materials makes it possible to use carpet tiles, doors and furniture left over from one space in another space. Thanks to this uniformity, the materials, colours and furnishings – such as the kitchen fixtures – previously selected for the space are also more likely to be suitable for the next customer. Eco-friendliness and quality is considered in the choice of materials so that the materials can last from one tenant to another and be reused.
The customer’s needs and wishes for the space are always the most important guiding factors in office space transformations. From the perspective of the circular economy, the primary goal is to retain the materials that are already in use in the office space and to update the space with as little alteration work as possible. Depending on the age of the office space and other factors, this is not always possible. If so, Technopolis will favour reused materials from its warehouse as well as new sustainable materials in the renovation.
Influencing climate emissions by embracing circular economy principles
Office space design that uses space efficiently and takes circular economy principles into account creates office spaces that help the customer save money and preserve the environment.
According to an example calculation commissioned by Technopolis, applying circular economy principles reduced the climate emissions from materials by up to 80% in one office space transformation project compared to a situation where the space was fully renovated. In the example project, it was possible to retain, for example, partition walls, floor materials and toilets, which had a significant impact on climate emissions.
When our customers choose a Technopolis office space, they can be sure that they are making a sustainable choice. We continuously develop our sustainability measures, and calculating the carbon footprint of office space transformations is part of our continuous development work. In the future, our goal in calculating the carbon footprint of office space transformations is to inform our customers about the environmental impacts of the alteration work to the office space and to encourage them to choose solutions that apply circularity.
