Weaving Nature into the Workplace: House of Hackney
How House of Hackney is Weaving Nature into the Workplace
When it comes to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, House of Hackney is in a league of its own. But did you know they're also leading the charge in sustainability?
If you hear the name House of Hackney, your mind might immediately be drawn to their nature inspired designs or their traditional craftsmanship. But were you aware that they’re also leading the charge in sustainability and regenerative impact? Much like how their beautiful flora and fauna designs bring nature into their customers' homes, their sustainability strategy aims to connect their employees to the natural world too. Rooted in the idea that when people feel connected to nature, they are more likely to care for it, their sustainability strategy blends rigorous regulatory focus with nature inspired innovation, pushing the boundaries whether other companies are yet to dare to go.
Let's dive into the key elements of this strategy and see how House of Hackney is setting new standards for sustainable practices in the design industry.
A Culture of Sustainability
Sustainability at House of Hackney isn’t just the responsibility of a single department; it’s a whole team effort and everyone is involved. They have fully embraced the saying “every job is a climate job”; every employee has Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to sustainability, developing a culture where everyone plays a part in hitting the company’s green goals. Monthly progress meetings keep the momentum going. These sessions are where the magic happens: discussing what's working, what’s not, and where more support or budget might be needed.
But House of Hackney understands that people need more than just targets; they need inspiration and connection to nature if they’re going to truly commit themselves to the company’s goals.
Encouraging Nature Connection
House of Hackney recognises that the best way to engage employees in their sustainability strategy is by helping them connect to the natural world. Building on research finding that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature significantly boosts health and wellbeing, House of Hackney encourages its employees to meet this weekly nature quota, integrating it into their work culture. This policy isn’t just talk, it’s supported by various initiatives such as:
Creating a community garden to provide a green oasis in their urban setting.
Encouraging local volunteering, allowing employees to give back to nature-focused projects.
Setting up outdoor lunch and meeting places, equipped with dongles and hot water bottles for comfort.
House of Hackney recognises that simply telling people to spend time in nature isn't enough, especially in an urban area like Hackney. To create real change, organisations must adapt their surrounding environments rather than place the onus on employees.
Seasonal Working Schedules
Their commitment to nature extends beyond the workspace. House of Hackney acknowledges that humans are part of nature and should adapt their schedules according to the seasons. Their flexible working schedule reflects these shifts:
A four-day cycle in the warmer months to maximise time outdoors
Shorter workdays in winter, finishing at 4pm, allowing employees more daylight hours outside of work and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Leading by Example
The leadership team actively promotes this lifestyle by sharing photos of themselves and their teams enjoying outdoor activities, whether it's a quick five-minute break or an entire lunch hour spent in nature. When implementing new initiatives, it’s essential that these changes are modeled from the top so that action trickles down into company culture. Social contagion is one of the biggest levers for change, and the more evidence employees see of leadership embedding these values, the easier it is for the initiative to become a lasting part of the workplace.
House of Hackney’s Garden of Tomorrow Festival
House of Hackney’s desire to inspire isn’t just limited to their employees. They recently launched House of Hackney’s Garden of Tomorrow festival, inspired by the #WeAreNature campaign. This event is all about bridging the gap between humans and the natural world. The festival serves as a melting pot of ideas and inspiration, aiming to co-create a vision for a nature-centric society. By hosting such events, House of Hackney is sparking conversations and collaborations that could lead to real, practical changes.
The Future of Sustainability in the Workplace
At the heart of House of Hackney’s Nature Strategy is the belief that connecting everyone - employees, customers, and communities - to nature is not just beneficial but essential. This connection fosters a deeper appreciation for the environment, inspiring individuals to take meaningful actions towards sustainability in their own lives.
By normalising outdoor work activities, creating green spaces, and inspiring a greater connection to the natural world, House of Hackney is helping to build a society that values and protects our planet.
