Ever since the Omni Work Centre was established, the coworking space has undergone a remarkable green transformation. The coworking space was designed using sustainable and recycled materials, such as wood, to minimize its carbon footprint. Sustainable architectural strategies were employed to reduce energy consumption, such as maximizing natural light to lessen reliance on artificial lighting. Natural elements like plants and wood were incorporated to foster a connection to nature. Javier and Esperanza mention that their choice for selection of low-maintenance plants was inspired by NASA’s Clean Air Study, which was originally conducted due to concerns about air quality in space habitats where astronauts lived in these small spaces for a long time. Everyone knows that plants photosynthesize, inhaling carbon dioxide to produce oxygen, but according to NASA, plants might be able to go one step further and actually absorb dangerous pollutants from the atmosphere. And so, they decided to apply the NASA Clean Air Concept at Omni Work Centre. After researching plants suitable for the Spanish climate, they selected several air-purifying varieties, such as Chamaedorea elegans and Dracaena trifasciata, for their coworking space. When entering the Omni Work Centre, these plants are the first thing you see, making them the central focus of the place.
“Green is our favorite color, and you’ll see it everywhere at Omni Center — in every leaf, every choice, and every corner of our coworking space. It’s not just a color – it’s our commitment to a sustainable future.” Maria Esperanza Gutiérrez Rodríguez, the 1st generation
In addition, Javier and Esperanza highlight their strong commitment to sustainable energy-saving practices. For example, they have implemented automatic power-down features for electronics, including routers, which turn off when not in use to conserve energy.
Addressing waste management is an important focus in Omni Work Centre, an example of which is to minimize single-use plastics. For instance, they prioritize recyclable paper plates and opt for tap water over bottled water, making environmentally conscious choices that significantly cut down plastic waste. Javier Junior and Runa fully support their parents’ green initiatives and are eager to push these efforts even further. One of their innovative ideas was to implement the use of QR codes to further reduce paper waste. Instead of printing documents for each coworker, information is now shared digitally through these QR codes. This innovative approach not only reduces paper consumption but also promotes a more sustainable work environment.
“As a new generation raised with modern technology, we see how the world is changing, with tech becoming a part of everyday life. That’s why we use tools like QR codes and other digital solutions to make our coworking space even greener. For us, being sustainable means finding new ways to improve and build on what our parents started.” Runa y Javier Barragán Gutíerrez, the 2nd generation
