As someone who has been interested in architecture, sustainability, and IoT technology for several years, I found it natural to look at how office buildings could optimize these factors to optimize for employee productivity, health and satisfaction.

I will be looking at a number of aspects within office buildings that impact worker productivity and for each, analyzing the following factors:

  • Building layout & construction techniques

  • Architectural & interior design features

  • Building technology & smart device integration

Lighting

Broadly, the lighting in a productive space should:

  • provide adequate illumination for the task at hand

  • be adjustable depending on time of day/type of task

  • be energy-efficient to reduce costs and environmental impact

  • be aesthetically pleasing and contribute to a positive work environment

Design Features

There are generally 3 different types of lighting to consider:

  • Ambient: General illumination, sets the mood

  • Task: Helps us to accomplish tasks (working, reading, cooking, bathing)

  • Accent: Highlights architecture or other features

A productive space should take advantage of all of these types of lighting which might result in specific features in the building like:

  • Meeting rooms: Soft ambient lighting with dimming controls and directional lighting towards white boards or tables.

  • General workspaces: Prevalent sources of natural light, adjustable lighting, task lighting like desk lamps near every worker.

  • Common areas: Use of overhead ambient lighting, as well as decorative and accent lighting to highlight art or company logos, etc.

Lighting Technology

  • Smart lighting systems should automatically adjust the light levels in a room based on the brightness of the natural light entering the room (dimmer if there is a lot of sunlight coming in and vise versa). That being said, there should be manual controls when possible as well to allow for optimal customization.

  • Similarly, occupancy sensors should be used to detect if a room is occupied or not and automatically turn off the lights accordingly.

  • Automated window shades can help regulate the amount of sunlight entering the workplace which can help reduce glare and brightness, making it more comfortable for employees to work.

  • LEDs and other energy efficient tech should be used with lighting as much as possible to reduce electrical load.

Air

Temperature and Humidity Control

  • Smart thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature based on the occupancy and the outdoor climate. They can also be controlled remotely through mobile devices, making it easy for facility managers to adjust the temperature as necessary.

  • As mentioned before, automated window shades can help regulate the amount of sunlight entering the workplace which can help reduce the heating of the space.

Air Quality Control

Good air quality can reduce sick days, increase cognitive performance, and enhance the overall wellbeing of employees.

  • Smart sensors can measure the quality of air in a building and alert occupants when it falls below acceptable levels.

  • HVAC systems can improve air quality by filtering out pollutants, reducing allergies and other respiratory problems.

  • Equipment called Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) are becoming increasingly common as they extract stale, humid air from inside the building and exchange it with fresh, filtered outdoor air.

Security

Smart Security Systems: Smart security systems can provide employees with a sense of safety and security, which can improve their happiness and wellbeing.

Environment & Layout

Layout

Noise Reduction: Smart acoustic technologies can reduce background noise and improve the acoustic environment of a workspace, which can enhance productivity and reduce stress.

Productivity Tools

Digital Signage: Smart digital signage can provide employees with real-time updates on events, meetings, and other important information, which can improve communication and reduce stress.

Ergonomics

This includes adjustable desks and chairs and proper lighting.

Energy Efficiency

Passive house design

  • Highly insulated envelope - Multiple layers of high-efficiency insulation materials are used to cover the roof, walls, slab, and footing, all to minimize the heat exchange with the outside environment.

  • Optimized orientation - Passive Houses are optimally designed and placed to harvest natural light and heat coming from the sun. They take the surrounding environment into consideration when designing the structure and placement on the land.

  • Airtight envelope - All leaks around doors, windows, exterior electrical outlets, hose bibs, sill plates, and piping are properly sealed to not only stop heat loss but also help reduce moisture buildup or loss in cold weather.

  • Mechanical ventilation - Passive Houses incorporate mechanical ventilation systems. These systems use heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) to bring in fresh air while simultaneously exhausting stale air from the house.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs): LED lighting is a highly efficient technology that consumes less energy, lasts longer, and produces less heat compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs can be used in a variety of applications, from task lighting to ambient lighting, and can be programmed to change color and intensity.