The Board’s aim is to steer, support and benchmark sustainable good practice in the interiors and fit-out industry for the benefit of all.
Following sizeable impact and based on industry response and resourcing capacity, the SKArating Board has revised the dates and timelines for updating SKArating schemes and developing new ones.
Roadmap latest:
- The Offices Environmental 2.0 scheme has been welcomed by the industry and market. Benchmark levels are pushing new good practice and lifting standard practice in both circularity issues and the selection of products that align with the embodied carbon benchmarks.
- There is strong interest from consultants looking to integrate environmental consistency in design guides that align with clients’ targets of net zero alignment and who recognise the leading position the UK and SKArating have in providing these.
- Bronze is the New Gold – Good practice levels have been re-set and lifted to reflect current good practice and this will now be reflected in the ratings. It is harder to achieve a Silver and Gold rated project under the new 2.0 schemes. Golds are expected initially to be few and far between until the market uplifts practices. Our aim is to keep driving the market and set the standards. So, once this happens, we will move levels up again.
- The approach of removing the Social & Wellbeing related measures from the Environmental schemes is being reflected across all our schemes. Social & Wellbeing related measures will move into a new set of schemes, and the environmental measures streamlined and kept in line with net zero, aiming towards 100% circularity. Numerous universities are already integrating the upgraded Environmental good practice benchmarks into their procurement processes and performance briefs.
- The development of Social & Wellbeing schemes that complete, improve and simplify the actions and performance of issues around individuals and community groups related to a fit-out and refurbishment project is strongly supported by the Higher Education and Offices sectors. The current market sees incomplete, cumbersome and unsustainable schemes that leave project needs unmet and impede sector improvement.
- The Higher Education (HE) schemes scope will be expanded to include Life Sciences fit-out and refurbishment projects. This will incorporate Laboratory and related research spaces. There is often a natural overlap of interior areas and use in these sectors and combining them provides an efficient approach to scheme development. The updated scheme will be called SKArating for Higher Education & Life Sciences (HE&LS).
- The final development area is the Economic & Value pillar. Upfront financial costs has hitherto been the loudest driver for projects, often resulting in poor value, unpredictable quality and volatility in delivering good spaces and buildings – and leaving our industry often unable to deliver the best to our clients and the wider society we are here to serve. The Board’s aim is to widen the scope of ‘cost and value’ and correct economic thinking beyond just finance. This will allow projects, clients and our industry to uncover, untapped, hidden value and deliver more of our sector’s objectives with less strife and more joy.
The SKArating Board and Central Team remain open to expressions of interest to be involved in any of the roadmap work streams. Existing and new Partners and work-stream leads are always invited to support our activities as they align with theirs. Additionally, all medium or light contributions that fit with each stakeholder’s capacity are equally warmly invited and greatly valued.
SKArating is by the industry for the industry. We have demonstrated 20 years of quiet leadership in sustainable interior fit-outs, and are now stepping up to lead the evolution of the sector towards new heights of sustainable practice and value.