Sustainability and energy efficiency are the two great challenges for present and future offices.

On the one hand, growing social awareness surrounding “green” themes and the introduction of increasingly advanced building system technology highlight a direct correlation between people’s behaviour and energy performance in offices.

On the other hand, comfort, well-being and flexibility are central factors in involving workers, who demand ever-more advanced quality standards.

It is therefore necessary to also carefully consider the human aspect in approaching office DESIGN, and to view the working habitat as a veritable ECOSYSTEM in which spaces, suppliers and technology, as well as needs, expectations, relationships and behaviour, all need to interact, connect and coexist.

A sustainable office is therefore, first and foremost, an office that balances design assets with human-behavioural aspects.

In this scenario, design is seen as a central element in achieving energy efficiency in the office; in the choice of materials supplied, the organisation of spaces, and in the overall planning of the workspace layout.

Of equal importance is the planning of strategies aimed at avoiding actions or behaviour that may lead to people wasting energy.

According to a recent study by CIRIAF, the Mauro Felli Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment at the University of Perugia, working on both fronts may lead to a reduction in the energy requirements of an office of up to 17%, with a significant impact on business.

Source: Journal of Building Performance Simulation – “Human-centric green building design: the energy saving potential of occupants’ behaviour enhancement in the office environment” University of Perugia and University of Florence.

On the one hand, there is a need to foster a “healthy” office culture, increasing employee awareness in terms of a “green attitude”. On the other, it is necessary to invest in equipment that can contribute to reducing environmental impact.

From acoustics to illumination, from ventilation to temperature control in workspaces. But also new digital technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced control systems that offer the connected monitoring, adaptation and improvement of the working environment.

Optimisation, growth and performance, as well as the need to keep in line with a constantly evolving global market and promptly respond to the challenges of sustainability. Businesses and their offices are, above all, assessed for their environmental actions through specific measuring systems such as “LEED” (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a form of mapping that certifies the sustainability of buildings.

This stresses the importance for planners, architects and designers worldwide to create solutions that are not only sustainable, but also “LEED compliant”, in other words capable of satisfying specific environmental needs and increasing the performance of the entire office ecosystem.

Planning “green” offices thus becomes an all-round advantage. From the consolidation of brand reputation on the market to energy efficiency and a reduction in environmental impact.