ON THE ROAD
Our designers visited Interface's Basecamp in Georgia to learn more about their products, process, and enduring commitment to sustainability.
Interior designers Emma Shiffert and Jesse Stallard visited Interface's manufacturing facility and offices in Georgia to gain insights into their manufacturing processes, impact within the industry, and discover how they are revolutionizing sustainability standards.
The Interface Story
Interface was founded in 1973 when Ray Anderson changed the American flooring landscape with the innovation of European carpet tile. This innovation offered a new, flexible approach to carpeting, allowing for easier access to wiring and floor infrastructure. Today, the global manufacturer is known for innovative, flexible, and sustainable flooring solutions with a range of carpet tiles and resilient flooring options, including luxury vinyl tile (LVT), FLOR®, and nora® rubber.
Our designers visited Interface's Georgia manufacturing facilities, studios, and base camp. Interface Basecamp, a LEED platinum and WELL Gold building, showcases the company's commitment to wellness and sustainability.
Manufacturing With A Human Touch
With 6 manufacturing sites in over 4 continents and 3,600 employees worldwide, Interface has developed a manufacturing system that hinges on their skilled workforce. Walking through Interface's pilot studio and yarn prep, tufting, and backing facilities, our designers were struck by the balance of innovation, efficiency, and the products' human touch.
Interface's yarn prep and tufting is made to order, with customizations requiring no minimum, upcharge, or lead-time. The manufacturer preserves leftover yarn to reuse, and often incorporates solution dyed yarn. To ensure efficiency, machines are combined to avoid starting, stopping, and reloading. The human hand is present throughout their production process, with 80% of Interface's products being prepped by hand. Most of the individuals working at Interface's Georgia manufacturing facility have worked there for over 20 years, a testament to the company's culture and environment.
In their Pilot Studio, Interface engages in custom work that applies NeoCon trends, like the gravitation towards blue-grays and rusty orange colors. Creel machines use air to filter the yarn into the necessary percentage for custom designed carpets. These ensure runs are as continuous as possible, avoiding resetting needles on the machine and ensuring efficiency.
Sustainability
For years, Interface has been rooted in sustainability. In 1994, the carpeting manufacturer introduced a program called Mission Zero focused on reducing their harmful environmental impact. Between 1994 and 2020, Interface intentionally reduced their environmental impact by shifting their supply chain approach and trying new business models.
This commitment to sustainability can be summed up by their mission statement, "If humanity changed the climate by mistake, we can change it with intent."
Through Interface's Carbon 101 CEU, smbw's designers learned more about carbon and how to talk about it. When discussing global warming, carbon is an often used shorthand for carbon dioxide (CO2), which accounts for 76% of greenhouse gas emissions. Interface breaks down their carbon emissions into three categories. Scope 1 consists of direct on site emissions, while Scope 2 is associated with energy and utilities. Scope 3 is related to all other company activities and accounts for the majority of the company's footprint, including travel, waste, purchased goods and services, and the use of sold products.
Given the impact of carbon released through building and manufacturing on human health and the environment, Interface recommends focusing on the amount of embodied carbon in the beginning of the project, allowing for a less skewed operational carbon percentage. The CEU also shared the following resources for more sustainable design and carbon consideration: Climate Toolkit, Carbon Smart Materials Palette, Building Transparency, Build Beyond Zero, and Drawdown
Takeaway
After walking through Interface's processes and sustainable practices, our designers came away from the experience with a newfound understanding of manufacturing and sustainability that they could integrate into their design choices. Knowing more about the way carpets are made and the sustainability of different material selections provides our design team with an informed perspective on carpet and tile combinations.
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Mission Zero's successor Climate Take Back builds upon the work they began in 1994, with a focus on reversing environmental damage rather than simply reducing their impact. This program pushes for zero negative environmental impact, shifting the ways we see and use carbon as a resource, working alongside nature instead of against it, and transforming industry practices for a better future.
Following these insights, we'll be sure to always consider how can the flooring selections affect the building's environmental footprint in the right direction, factoring in emissions, energy and end of life cycle impact.