Green Office Design: Three Achievable Steps
By Antonia Walmsley, Principal of Design at Unispace EMEA.
The need for green office spaces and a more environmentally friendly workspace has become a critical element of the Facilities Management arena, with sustainability widely recognised as an essential feature of the modern workplace. However, for an office to be truly sustainable, considerations are needed at all stages of design, build, and management, from the location of source materials and how ‘green’ supply chains are, right through to furniture selection and energy sources.
So, what works well to create a green office?
Identifying Sustainable Supply Chain Partners And Materials
Taking the time to select local suppliers as well as local materials is certainly a great place to start. Doing this helps the local economy while at the same time streamlining building timeframes. Builds and refurbishments will also be using less transportation which means fewer carbon emissions.
This careful selection of suppliers and supplies can play a huge role in improving the sustainability of an office space. As a case in point, during our recent office development for Astellas Pharma we opted for recycled materials wherever possible to reduce the carbon footprint of the build. By tapping into a domestic source of materials, we reduced the amount of waste, and prevented carbon emissions by limiting the need to harvest new raw materials for products.
In our own Amsterdam Studio, we also prioritised the use of recycled materials, thinking beyond the ‘norm’ when it came to the supplies being used. In our meeting rooms and touchdown spaces, acoustic panelling made from recycled shoe soles was used on meeting room walls. The panelling itself was chosen not only for its acoustic properties, but also for its natural insulation, dirt resistance and fire-retardant qualities. We also installed recycled cork & PET walls in collaboration areas to act as pinboards for idea-sharing.
Energy And Tech Consumption: A Smart Approach
With hybrid working the norm, spaces today need to be equipped with the right technology to support collaboration between colleagues both in and out of the workspace. More technology does, of course, mean more energy, but there are ways to limit the impact this has on the environment. For example, we incorporated smart technology in both our Amsterdam and Zurich studios, equipping the lighting, workstation monitors and presentation screens with energy-efficient sensor technology. These detect movement and automatically turn off when unoccupied, optimising energy use for a flexible workforce.
Taking A More Holistic View – Continued Sustainability
While environmental impact is essential in the initial build of the office, it’s also important to ensure that the space continues to be sustainable when it’s being used. Incorporating recycling stations in every space to promote waste distribution and encouraging employees to correctly dispose of their waste is a simple, yet effective, way of achieving this.
On a larger scale, our Zurich studio has been fitted with a heating and cooling system that is drawn from underground thermal storage units, while energy and water consumption is minimised through energy recovery. The photovoltaic installation on the roof of the building harnesses natural solar energy while the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the space are fitted with interstitial blinds (located between the two panes of glass) to optimise the amount of natural light used. As a result, the building's environmental impact is very low and has been accredited with the highest possible LEED rating of Platinum.
Businesses and their staff are increasingly looking for spaces that meet their individual and corporate eco-friendly desires. For Facilities Managers, spaces that meet this criteria will be in high demand. While achieving a truly sustainable office design may seem like a challenge involving hidden costs and additional workloads, simple changes can have a big impact.
