Presenting Interior Design’s 2024 Sustainability Giants

Of the 100 Sustainability Giants, one-third are new to the rankings, which we attribute to increased recognition of this newest Giants category initiative, now in its second year. To be considered for the list, firms need to report fees garnered from projects that had “measurable” sustainability goals—a somewhat flexible definition that includes both official certification and other assessments.

In both the inaugural year of data-collection and this one, the percentage of projects attaining WELL or LEED certification was low (although the latter is up from 2 to 5 percent), which we chalk up to clients’ interest in environmental consciousness—but not in investing extra for the rubber stamp. More specifically: Designers said 37 percent of their clients follow LEED or WELL principles but don’t want to pay for the certification, an increase of 10 percent year-over-year. Mentions of ESG as the client’s primary project goal is flat as well, at 29 percent.

As for fees: Defying this group’s expectations, sustainability income is solid, having risen from $1.8 to $2.4 billion between 2022 and 2023—a 33 percent year-over-year increase, surpassing predictions. Sustainability Giants do forecast a small 8 percent decline for 2024, a figure that’s in line with Giants’ overall predictions.

Other metrics indicate how tough sustainability efforts remain in our industry. For instance, percentage of projects tracking embodied carbon is 7 (up from 5), so not many folks onboarding. Last year, when we asked Giants what was interfering with their ability to do so, most responded they didn’t have the technology or a system in place, or even the right team of people. (Perhaps relatedly, the percentage of LEED- or WELL-accredited staff is flat at about one-quarter of employees.) We do know anecdotally that Giants are seeing an uptick in projects designed with the health of people and planet in mind, but the certification and tracking numbers don’t reflect that enthusiasm—yet. We’re encouraged, however, by No. 1 and 2 firms Gensler and Perkins&Will reporting that more than 88 percent of their fees derive from projects with measurable sustainability goals, and by Giants’ and urgent commentary regarding the importance of working together to address climate change—and how well positioned the industry is to be a leader in that cause.

Sustainability Giants Rankings 2024

“blank cells” = did not report data

Top Firms Based On Fees From Projects With Measurable Sustainability Goals

Note: Rankings are based on firms’ total fees deriving from sustainable projects. Gensler has the leading dollar amount and Perkins&Will the highest percentage of fees.

Methodology

The Interior Design Giants annual business survey comprises the largest firms ranked by interior design fees for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2023. The listings are generated from only those surveyed. To be recognized as a top 100, Rising, Healthcare, Hospitality, or Sustainability Giant, you must meet the following criteria: Have at least one office location in North America, and generate at least 25% of your interior design fee income in North America. Firms that do not meet the criteria are ranked on our International Giants list. Interior design fees include those attributed to:

1. All aspects of a firm’s in­terior design practice, from strategic planning and programming to design and project management.

2. Fees paid to a firm for work performed by employees and independent contractors who are “full-time staff equivalent.”

Interior design fees do not include revenues paid to a firm and remitted to subcontractors who are not con­sid­ered full-time staff equivalent. For example, certain firms attract work that is subcontracted to a local firm. The originating firm may collect all the fees and re­tain a management or generation fee, paying the remainder to the performing firm. The amounts paid to the latter are not included in fees of the collecting firm when determining its ranking. Ties are broken by rank from last year. Where applicable, all per­cent­ages are based on responding Giants, not their total number. 

All research conducted by ThinkLab, the research division of SANDOW Design Group.

3 Green Projects by 2023 Sustainability Giants

Sustainable practices are top of mind for today’s designers. Just ask the 2023 Sustainability Giants. INTERIOR DESIGN’s carefully researched report turns the spotlight on the top 100 environmentally-conscious firms of 2023. While the scope of environmental practices can vary, from use of sustainable materials to achieving LEED and other environmental certifications, green design is undoubtedly big business. See three eco-friendly projects by INTERIOR DESIGN’s 2023 Sustainability Giants.

Sustainable Building Designs Leading the Way Forward 

A Cultural Hub Designed to Incorporate Salvaged Materials

Adaptive reuse and redesign were used to give a citrus greenhouse on the former Rockefeller family estate in Tarrytown, New York a face-lift courtesy of FXCollaborative. The result is the new David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center. Salvaging as much of the existing structure as possible, the team created a revitalized community hub, complete with theatrical lighting, retractable indoor seating, a terrace, and advanced MEP systems enabling the building to achieve net-zero annual energy consumption. Read more

A Former Mall is Reinvented into a Modern Office Design

Every building saved benefits the environment. One standout example is a former retail emporium in Los Angeles that was recently converted into a creative campus by HLW International. Previously a Macy’s department store, the firm turned the property into a 240,000-square-foot speculative office complex. Read more

Sustainability Guides the Redesign of a LaGuardia Airport Terminal

With soaring interior spaces and abundant natural light courtesy of Corgan, Delta Airlines’ Terminal C is a warm and welcoming space for travelers. Site-specific art commissioned in partnership with the local Queens Museum connects various areas. Look up and see the work of sculptor Virginia Overton who suspended an assemblage of salvaged skylights from the atrium ceiling to create Skylight Gems, an installation that encourages visitors to celebrate the sen­sation and spectacle of flight. The design includes a vast thermal storage system and electrochromic smart glass to control glare and heat gain. Read more

Want to learn more about sustainable design? Check out the most recent projects, products, news related to eco-conscious A&D here. See who tops the list of the 2023 Sustainability Giants and discover current trends in the sector.

Interior Design Unveils the 2023 Sustainability Giants

Sustainability matters to design firms. It’s big business because it’s good business. Although we’ve gathered data on green practices in the past, last publishing the results in 2016, this year we’ve given the top 100 environmentally focused studios a list of their own—allowing us to better track trends in this all-important sector. The big news: In 2022, total fees for the Sustainability Giants were $1.8 billion. Gensler accounted for $563 million of that, making the firm easily the largest by fees.

Many firms integrate environmentalism into their plans; indeed, some 60 percent of projects completed by the Sustainability Giants have measurable environmental goals. Specific targets have a lower percentage of follow-through, however, either because clients don’t request it—or they balk at the cost. Indeed, only 37 percent of clients mention environmental, social, and corporate governance reporting as integral to their project goals.

In other cases, firms embrace some but not all sustainability practices. Roughly a third of respondents’ projects include green design elements but don’t go all the way to achieving certification, again because the client doesn’t want to foot the extra expense. Measurable sustainable initiatives include tracking embodied carbon as well as WELL, LEED, and Fitwel certifications, but most firms track these at low percentages. Where these firms do well is in specification. About half of FF&C products are chosen based on environmental factors, plus some 26 percent of designers are LEED AP or WELL AP accredited.

Given these considerations, we’ll continue to refine what we track and how we gather data. As for next year, the Sustainability Giants predict a comparable $1.8 billion in fees for 2023. We’ll enjoy seeing how this new group evolves.

Number of Projects Tracking Embodied Carbon

Methodology

The Interior Design Giants annual business survey comprises the largest firms ranked by interior design fees for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2022. The listings are generated from only those surveyed. To be recognized as a top 100, Rising, Healthcare, or Hospitality Giant, you must meet the following criteria: Have at least one office location in North America, and generate at least 25% of your interior design fee income in North America. Firms that do not meet the criteria are ranked on our International Giants list. Interior design fees include those attributed to:

1. All aspects of a firm’s in­terior design practice, from strategic planning and programming to design and project management.

2. Fees paid to a firm for work performed by employees and independent contractors who are “full-time staff equivalent.”

Interior design fees do not include revenues paid to a firm and remitted to subcontractors who are not con­sid­ered full-time staff equivalent. For example, certain firms attract work that is subcontracted to a local firm. The originating firm may collect all the fees and re­tain a management or generation fee, paying the remainder to the performing firm. The amounts paid to the latter are not included in fees of the collecting firm when determining its ranking. Ties are broken by rank from last year. Where applicable, all per­cent­ages are based on responding Giants, not their total number. 

All research conducted by ThinkLab, the research division of SANDOW Design Group.