Part 3 in the series “Inside the Criteria Council”
How do we design interior environments that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing – but also sustainable over time? That’s the daily mission for interior architects Linn Sylvan and Therese Löwstedt, newly appointed members of the Criteria Council for the HI label. In this article, they share their thoughts on the architect’s responsibility in sustainability – and what they hope the HI criteria will offer as a tool.
“As architects, we have a great opportunity to drive sustainability forward – both in our projects and in the wider industry.”
– Linn Sylvan, interior architect, Works Arkitekter
Sustainability starts early
In many projects, key decisions are made at the very beginning – during the planning and design phases. Choices around materials, finishes, color palettes, furniture, reuse potential and adaptability have a major impact on climate footprint, cost, and long-term use.
For Therese Löwstedt, interior architect at Indicum, sustainability must be seen as a core principle, not an add-on.
“Working sustainably with interiors is complex and requires expertise. It’s important that those of us who have that knowledge help drive the industry in the right direction.”
Both she and Linn have extensive experience working with sustainability across both public and private sector projects. Now, through their roles on the Criteria Council, they want to help shape how the HI criteria develop going forward.
Expectations for the Council
When the Criteria Council held its first meeting earlier this summer, expectations were high. Both Linn and Therese emphasized the importance of ensuring that the criteria are not just ambitious – but also practical and usable in real projects.
“The HI criteria and HI label offer guidance and create incentives for clients to make good choices – and ultimately for architects and project teams who choose to work with the criteria.”
– Therese Löwstedt, interior architect, Indicum.
They also see a need for the HI criteria to support communication – both internally within teams and externally with clients, suppliers, and users.
A framework that supports real decisions
One of the biggest sustainability challenges in interior architecture is balancing detail-level material knowledge with practical constraints. As Therese explains, issues like coatings, adhesives or fillers require expertise and time to assess – resources that are often limited. That’s where structured criteria help:
“Reuse is a powerful and concrete way to reduce climate impact. It’s easy to explain and easy for clients to understand – which helps us implement it more often.”
Linn points to another important function of the HI criteria: as a tool to support decision-making – even when formal certification isn’t the goal.
“My hope is that the HI criteria can help clarify the impact of our choices and be used as a practical guide – for requirements and planning – whether or not the project is aiming for verification.”
Looking ahead
Both architects also share thoughts on what they’d like the Council to focus on going forward – from incorporating feedback to updating metrics in line with EU regulations:
“I believe a shift to measuring interiors in CO₂ equivalents would be a very positive step – both for accuracy and for demonstrating impact,” says Therese.
“We hope users of the HI criteria will share input – so we can prioritize the updates that move the field forward,” adds Linn.
Next article: Procurement and Impact
In the next article in the series, we turn our attention to public authorities and procuring organizations. We meet Pia Lahdenperä, interior architect at Svenska Kraftnät, who explains how the HI label can bring clarity to requirements – and why well-formulated criteria may be the key to avoiding greenwashing.
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