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Florence Nightingale, that pioneer nurse who lived nearly 200 years ago, was certainly right when she advised hospitals to throw open their windows to make way for a healthier environment.

The need to create healthier, greener workspaces is supported by many research studies, which unfailingly show that employees are much more productive in a green environment than in a conventional workspace.

But, research aside, we now have a new workforce who are imprinting their generation’s very different values on the world – the green conscious millennials. They are looking for companies that align with their planet-conscious, sustainable values, and this will see demands for green office space increase even more rapidly.

So what is green design? It’s fundamentally about looking at the environmental impacts of materials and products across their entire life cycle, and choosing those with a low environmental impact that are self finished, non-toxic, multi-functional and durable.

A great example of a green product that fits the bill is Rhino Wood: 100% natural, 100% South African, and a sustainable replacement for threatened hardwoods.

They’re the team behind those amazing rooftop decks we looked at last month, which are proving very popular with Capetonians of late.

Wood has been used as a primary structural material and a symbol of nature since day one, reflecting that instinctive connection humans have with natural materials. Its warmth, texture, renewability and cost effectiveness remain the reasons that contemporary architects and building designers include wood in a building design.

Increasingly they are also specifying that the timber used must be locally sourced, sustainable and chemical free – moving Rhino Wood to the top of the green materials list.

So, whether you want to flirt with sustainability for a gorgeous closer-to-nature touch, or whether you want to become a planet warrior with wood cladding, walkways, stairways, decking, balconies, rooftop gardens, screens or fencing; consider eco-savvy Rhino Wood.

You’ll conserve natural resources, reduce operating costs, improve employee productivity and feel really good.

Every business owner wants employees who are proud of what their company stands for, and that includes knowing that their place of work is contributing towards the move to look after the country we all call home.

Here’s a handy guide to what Rhino Wood really is, and why it’s important that we all get on board with a more sustainable approach to building: