NKBA’s Sustainability Month initiatives seek to provide ideas and solutions for the kitchen and bath industry.
By Seth Ellison
The kitchen and bath industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and with rapid expansion comes the responsibility for providing more sustainable solutions. Recognizing the need for more dialogue and information in this space, NKBA launched Sustainability Month. Throughout April of 2023, the association also offered a variety of educational resources on its website — webinars, events, insightful articles and interviews with some of the top figures in K&B — relating to sustainability, giving members and industry leaders a clear path toward becoming advocates for environmental change and practical guidance on how to integrate sustainable design practices into their own businesses. The initiative culminated in its first-ever Sustainability Summit, which provided considerable insight into environmentally-friendly design, ideas, strategies and solutions.
The NKBA Sustainability Summit: Leading the Charge
The most anticipated event of Sustainability Month was undoubtedly the virtual Sustainability Summit, held on April 27, 2023, which featured insightful discussions composed of panels of prominent industry leaders and experts. Attendees were provided with valuable knowledge on sustainable practices that not only contribute to the betterment of the environment but also to the benefit of their clients and companies. The sessions were interactive, featuring live audience Q&A, interactive polls and prize giveaways, making it an engaging and exciting event for all participants.
Kicking off the summit was the “NKBA Research: Sustainability Market Trends” presentation, led by Pam McNally, SVP, Marketing + Digital, NKBA | KBIS. McNally drew on her vast industry knowledge and authoritative research-based sources to explore the latest trends in sustainable design. The research presented showed that sustainable design is becoming increasingly popular among consumers, with a significant percentage of homeowners expressing interest in eco-friendly kitchens and bathrooms.
“First off, I think it’s important to know that the majority of designers today at least consider sustainability in recommending products to clients,” McNally said. “What’s interesting is that this number was much lower a couple of years ago.” Furthermore, the discussion showed how their clients were also willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, highlighting the growing demand for these options.
Another insightful session was “The Luxury Client: What’s Sustainability Got to Do With It?,” which explored the role of sustainability in the sale of high-end homes. McNally and top luxury realtor Carrie McCormick provided insights into the factors that clients consider when evaluating sustainable design options for their luxury homes. The session also emphasized how integrating sustainable elements into a home can enhance its value and appeal to potential buyers, indicating that clients are willing to invest in environmentally-conscious features.
“Buyers tend to align themselves with products and companies that share their life goals,” McCormick said. “They are also willing to pay a premium for sustainable materials as they consider the longevity of such materials, which require minimal maintenance or repairs due to their durability. These materials are built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements or repairs, making them an attractive investment for buyers.”
Additionally, the summit offered practical strategies for building a sustainable design practice with its keynote presentation, “Getting Creative with Sustainable Design.” The discussion was moderated by Avinash Rajagopal, Editor in Chief of Metropolis Magazine, and featured a panel of industry experts, including Laurence Carr, Principal of Laurence Carr, Inc; Michael Ingui, Partner with Baxt Ingui Architects; and Dan Rockhill, Distinguished Professor of Architecture at University of Kansas and Principal of Rockhill and Associates. Rather than focusing on what ‘not to do,’ Rajagopal and his guests explored how to unlock opportunities that emerge from sustainable design, highlighting the multiple benefits it offers. For example, Michael Ingui discussed the benefits of a passive house (a highly energy-efficient building standard): “By building a passive house, a construction noted for energy conservation, you open up design features. Not only does it conserve energy by up to 70 percent, it is also a healthier and quieter home.”
The final presentation, “The Evolution of Renovation Angel: Scaling Sustainability,” featured Renovation Angel’s CEO and NKBA Kitchen + Bath Hall of Fame inductee Steve Feldman and Renovaiton Angel Board Member Tzaras Christon. They shared their mission of repurposing kitchens and appliances with a white-glove approach and discussed the planned expansion of their companies nationwide. The two presenters also emphasized the importance of sustainable design, environmental entrepreneurship and the potential of the kitchen and bath industry to lead the way in building a circular economy.
“The kitchen and bath areas are responsible for a significant proportion of landfill waste, accounting for between 20 and 30 percent of all waste from construction, with a significant portion coming from kitchens,” said Christon. “By reducing waste in these areas, we have the opportunity to tackle this environmental issue effectively.”
Overall, the Sustainability Month campaign demonstrated the NKBA’s commitment to promoting sustainable design practices within the industry and providing valuable resources and insights for professionals to incorporate sustainability into their businesses. As the industry continues to prioritize sustainability, initiatives like the Sustainability Month campaign will be vital in driving progress toward a more environmentally responsible future.
We invite you to visit NKBA’s Sustainability Month Page here and also to view its first-ever Sustainability Summit On-Demand here.
