An eco-friendly office bears testimony to the values and beliefs an organisation holds, one that brings out its sensitivity and respect towards the environment. Ecological awareness is the need of the hour, and this factor has permeated core decision making at several large MNCs with companies striving to bring their work spaces closer to the ecological harmony.
An environment-friendly office comprises of a setup where the office furniture, the location, the interior and exterior design are in harmony with ecological sustainability.
Here are 5 offices that are famous for being eco-friendly, in no particular order:
1. Nike European Headquarters
Located in Hilversum, Netherlands, this office encompasses a host of eco-friendly innovations, such as—a differently shaped roof that collects rainwater to irrigate gardens and flush the toilets, saving the company 4 million litres of clean water every year.
This office also has basketball and tennis courts made from recycled training shoes. In a process called 'Nike Grind', Nike used around 4,000 pairs of shoes to make each court.
Image source: metropolismag.com
2. Google, Inc.
Google, arguably one of the most successful software corporations of this century believes in eco-friendly and sustainable development. With its commitment to grow sustainably, Google has eliminated a large number of toxic materials found in buildings, along with using natural light and natural resources intelligently.
But, building design is just one aspect of their concern for ecological sustainability; even getting to Google is ‘green’, with Google encouraging programs for walking or biking to work, initiating a car-sharing system with electric vehicles, etc.
Image source: i.dailymail.co.uk
3. Bullitt Centre, Seattle
Touted as one of the greenest commercial buildings in the world, this building has set a new benchmark for environmentally friendly design and construction. This building is energy-neutral – that means, it produces as much electricity as it uses, which also makes it carbon-neutral.
The building even supplies and treats all of its own water by using an underground cistern to capture rainwater.
Bullitt Centre is on track to pass the ‘self-sufficiency’ test, and once it does, it will be known as a ‘living building’.
Image source: themodernape.com
4. Fusionopolis Green Skyscraper, Singapore
A green skyscraper, something that was the unthinkable, has just been designed by a UK-based architect Ken Yeang. The building is virtually covered in plants and trees that run across the ‘spine’ of the building. In fact, each floor has its own landscaped garden terraces that are fed by natural sunlight directed to them via prisms. This ‘spine’ of vegetation serves as an insulation during winter, and provides passive cooling during summer.
Image source: s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
5. Daiken-Met Architects Office, Gifu, Japan
Perhaps the most innovative of them all is the Daiken-Met Architects Office in Gifu. The firm had been facing trouble finding office spaces to lease, so, being architects, they created their own office from reused shipping containers.
An act like this speaks volumes about the architects’ creativity and their commitment towards building a sustainable future. While using modern executive office furniture that is made of eco-friendly materials, this space is also designed to be moved if necessary, and even has an apartment on the top floor.
Image source: m2.behance.net
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