The term green building describes both a building and the use of environmentally friendly and resource-conserving practices throughout the entire building’s lifespan (from conception to occupancy to maintenance to eventual demolition). Energy efficiency and the use of recyclable materials are two of the hallmarks of a “green” office’s design. The objective is to make the world a better place by limiting our impact on the environment. In this article, we will tell you How to Beat the Greenest Office Building in the World.
History
In the 1960s, as part of the environmental movement, the idea of “green office buildings” gained traction. The increasing cost of oil in the 1970s prompted widespread interest in environmentally friendly workplaces. Improvements in energy efficiency and the potential utilization of renewable power sources in commercial construction began.
Sustainable design features
Windows in eco-friendly workplaces are typically arranged to maximize exposure to daylight. Recycling coal products, foundry sand, and demolition trash are all examples of eco-friendly building methods.
Communal Ventilation System
An additional aspect of a sustainable workplace is the quality of the air inside. Construction firms, for instance, can employ radon-proofing measures in office buildings and put in HVAC units to keep the air clean.
But the lack of noise in green office buildings is an interesting disadvantage. Environmentally friendly building materials also reduce noise pollution. According to Kevin Powell of the United States General Services Administration, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings are notoriously silent—almost too quiet for employees. Many people find that having some ambient noise in the office helps them concentrate.
Also Read: Top 3 Green Energy Stocks in India
How to Beat the Greenest Office Building in the World
Here are some tips on how to beat the greenest office building in the world-
- Design for your natural surroundings- Saving energy at work can make a significant impact in lowering your carbon footprint. Because of the amount of time we spend at work, our workplace is equally as important as our house in terms of healthy indoor air quality, comfort, and general atmosphere. According to studies, having a green office improves cognitive performance and productivity so taking efforts towards the office a little greener is actually a win-win situation. Ecological and economic objectives should and may be aligned. Anything else is a short-term gain at the expense of future generations.
- Utilize Daylighting- Every workplace needs healthy, efficient lighting. Office lighting, on the other hand, is all too often an afterthought. Heavy glare affects your eyes, causing strain and making work hours feel even longer. However, sustainable, user-friendly lighting solutions can lower a workplace’s energy requirements while increasing worker pleasure. People need their circadian rhythms to reset every day for good healthy daylighting and human-centric circadian lighting is critical to this process. The method of situating windows, or other apertures and reflective surfaces, so that natural light supplies indoor lighting during the day are known as daylighting. This construction method also reduces a building’s overall energy consumption.
- Enhance IAQ- According to Harvard University research, indoor air quality (IAQ) has a significant impact on cognitive performance. The researchers discovered that cognitive function scores were much higher in green building environments than in traditional building environments.
- Include Biophilic Design- Integrating biophilic design features might also help to green your office environment. Workplaces with daylighting, natural ventilation, and other natural-world-inspired characteristics improve performance, reduce stress, and increase motivation. Humans have been building shelters in response to their environment and cultures for thousands of years, therefore the evolution of biophilic architecture began long ago. The majority of conventional buildings are planned with cost as the primary consideration. Other factors such as energy efficiency, aesthetics, and material choices are also considered. However, the biophilic design goes a step further in examining how design decisions might promote occupant well-being by building a connection with nature.
- Consider installing a green roof-Green roof solutions, also known as living roofs, can increase the sustainability of your green office. Aside from their visual appeal, living roof systems are also cost-effective and full of natural benefits. Green roofs can be installed on top of almost any structure and have various advantages over traditional roofs. Roofs lose a lot of heat in the winter and get excessively hot in the summer. Green roofs, on the other hand, serve to reduce weather difficulties by keeping the heat in and the cold out. Because sod is a natural insulator, it’s no surprise that green roofs have been around since the Viking Age.
