Health comes first when it comes to sustainable design
User well-being is key to creating circular designs and leading sustainability
Since its inception as a family business more than 65 years ago, Andreu World has always valued sustainable practices. Over the years, we have embraced emerging technologies to optimize the manufacture of sustainable designs, translating a strong resolve for quality along with environmental and user responsibility into continuous product innovation. The president of the World Design Organization, Srini Srinivasan, believes Andreu World's approach points to a future where sustainable design and development can become common practice.
Social, environmental and cultural sustainability, as well as circular economy approaches, should be mainstream rather than praised as bold or original, Srinivasan explains.
It's simply good business and good practice. In essence, design has always been about finding a 'better way' in everything we do on a daily basis. A way that is guided by ecological design thinking and processes, that considers the end users and the environment in which they live, and that recognizes the importance of not only sustainable design, but also the sustainable use of design.
Design has always been about finding a better way in everything we do on a daily basis.
As Srinivasan explains, true sustainability is as much about user well-being as it is about environmental responsibility.
Prioritizing ergonomics, implementing biophilic design principles and complying with strict hygiene, safety and maintenance requirements are all necessary for improving the quality of spaces today, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is why Andreu World's collections are guaranteed with the Healthy Hospitals Interiors (HHI) certification (recently renamed Practice Greenhealth), which helps hospitals and healthcare centers around the world to eliminate contaminating materials.
To achieve these high levels of quality, safety and respect for the environment, Andreu World ensures that designs, raw materials and other components comply with these international standards and certifications. The company was the first in the world to include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Chain of Custody in its entire product catalog. In addition, considerable research and development resources have been committed to creating environmentally friendly materials for all products. We also strive for maximum longevity: in 2007, Andreu World was the first European company to offer a 5-year guarantee. Since then, that guarantee has been doubled to 10 years.
Andreu World's ultimate goal is for 100% of its materials to be part of the circular economy by 2025, a mission shared by its designers and suppliers. Therefore, it is essential to be thinking about the full life cycle of a product from the moment of its conception, applying all resources to ensure its circularity and flexibility of use.
