The following is an opinion piece written by Chase Kaars, Senior Project Manager at BR Design Associates
New York City’s climate legislation has turned sustainability from an aspirational goal into a regulatory baseline. Strict green building laws, including Local Law 97 and the New York Energy Conservation Code, are reshaping the way commercial interiors are designed. With stricter emissions limits coming into effect in 2030, designers must balance complex requirements while striving to create functional, flexible and visually compelling spaces. But what exactly does this look like in practice?
The regulatory landscape interior designers must navigate
From lighting and power density to material reuse and space planning, interior designers now play a critical role in helping projects achieve performance goals, often within the constraints of existing buildings and active tenant environments. Design decisions such as lighting layouts, outlet loads, HVAC coordination, and material selection directly affect a building’s operational carbon performance, making interior designers central to compliance with regulations such as New York City’s Local Law 97.
Even when designers are not responsible for core and shell systems, the interior realms of tenant amenities can significantly influence a building’s emissions. This means teams must understand energy budgets, coordinate early with MEP engineers and energy consultants, and ensure that every design choice supports compliance rather than undermines it. Assessing a building’s baseline performance, including whether it is subject to Local Law 97 limits, its energy intensity goal, and lighting, HVAC, or facade performance limitations, is the critical first step. Early collaboration with ownership and consultants helps avoid costly last-minute redesigns and upgrades.
Beyond immediate compliance, designers must plan for long-term adaptability. Specifying systems and materials that support future electrification, higher efficiency standards and possible carbon reporting ensures that interiors remain sustainable as codes evolve. Today, the most influential regulations shaping interior design decisions include Local Law 97, the New York City Energy Conservation Code, Local Law 88, and Local Law 84. Together, these laws make lighting efficiency, control integration, energy modeling coordination, and responsible material selection central considerations, not optional. Failure to comply carries serious consequences, from financial penalties and project delays to costly modifications and reduced asset value.
From lighting and power density to material reuse and space planning, interior designers now play a critical role in helping projects achieve performance goals, often within the constraints of existing buildings and active tenant environments.
Align and educate customers early
However, as regulatory requirements become more complex, client education has become a critical part of the interior design process. Interior designers are increasingly acting as translators, connecting regulatory language with tangible design decisions that affect cost, schedule, performance and user experience.
These conversations should begin early in the project, ideally before test tuning or conceptual design, so that design concepts are grounded in performance realities. By setting expectations early and clearly outlining what is required versus where there is flexibility, designers help clients make informed decisions and avoid costly redesigns. Effective strategies include translating technical data into clear design implications, linking sustainability and compliance to financial outcomes, and distinguishing between mandatory regulations and value-added opportunities. Simple comparisons such as efficient and non-compliant scenarios make the impact tangible and relative.
Framing sustainability and compliance as long-term investments rather than obstacles also builds trust and positions design as a strategic partner in navigating New York City’s evolving regulatory environment. When clients understand how internal decisions influence regulatory exposure, operational costs and long-term resilience, compliance becomes an integral part of the design narrative, not a barrier.
Sustainability begins in space and lasts over time
From there, sustainability becomes a part of everyday design choices. Decisions about space planning, lighting strategies, selection of finishes and furniture systems have measurable impacts on long-term energy use, durability and operational efficiency.
Interior designs that support natural lighting, reduce unnecessary lighting loads, and adapt to evolving usage patterns can help improve overall building performance. Likewise, the selection of durable, low-maintenance materials and modular, reconfigurable systems reduce the need for frequent replacements, supporting both emissions reduction goals and operational efficiency. When approached intentionally, interior design can ease the demand on building systems while providing spaces that are comfortable, adaptable and aligned with regulatory requirements.
As codes and performance standards continue to evolve, these same decisions play a critical role in future-proofing interiors. Flexible layouts, systems-ready planning, and scalable lighting, HVAC, and furniture solutions allow spaces to adapt to new codes or operational needs with minimal disruption. In this context, longevity becomes a core sustainability strategy, reducing waste, controlling long-term costs and extending the useful life of indoor environments.
Turn regulatory constraints into design opportunities
Rather than limiting creativity, New York City’s regulatory framework can serve as a foundation for smarter, more intentional interior design. As the city accelerates towards ambitious climate goals, interior designers are uniquely positioned to turn policy into practice, aligning regulatory compliance with performance, adaptability and user experience.
Clearer guidelines help streamline approvals, reduce costly variances, and support innovative approaches to renovation and adaptive reuse. When adopted early, regulation becomes a design driver rather than a constraint, enabling interiors to contribute significantly to building performance while providing spaces that remain functional, flexible and compelling.
By setting clear performance goals, the regulations encourage efficient designs, strategic lighting, selection of durable materials, and integration of systems that improve long-term comfort, functionality, and operational efficiency. Clearer codes reduce uncertainty in approvals, minimize costly redesigns, and allow teams to plan renovations or reconfigurations with confidence. To stay ahead of evolving requirements, design teams should regularly consult city instructions, subscribe to industry updates, engage with energy and code consultants, and maintain ongoing collaboration between design, engineering, and property teams.
Chase Kaars, senior project manager at the New York City-based design firm BR Design Associates, is an expert in architectural project management. They oversee project life cycles and coordinate project teams, ensuring the delivery of design solutions.
