Buildings that look to the future

Flexible space arrangements make green offices open to change

A sustainable office building is already something of a classic: it is designed to adapt to different generations of users over decades without compromising quality or comfort. The secret is space efficiency.

In terms of economic factors, space efficiency means that more employees can be accommodated per square metre than in comparable properties. According to recent survey findings, efficient use of space is the key planning premise for just under 70% of market players and a core demand of all user groups.

Flexible space is valuable space
Space is the biggest indicator and driver of infrastructure and management costs and the biggest cost that can be directly influenced. The more expensive it is to modify and update an office building, the more unprofitable it will be over the long term. The key factor in sustainable use is the building’s adaptability to current user requirements and its ability to respond to future needs easily and cost-effectively.

For office space, achieving maximum flexibility depends on:

• a modular floor plan and façade design,
• tailoring the supporting structure to a flexible floor plan,
• easily accessible electrical and media cables (e.g. service shafts, raised floors or open cable routing),
• decentralised electrical installation/building automation systems that utilise a bus system.

Space efficiency is also about a building’s ability to adapt to modern working practices. Offices need to accommodate changing workplace structures and team situations. From business clubs to think tanks, from cellular to open plan or a combination of both, adjustments need to be made without heavy use of resources. The next-generation workplace is characterised by innovative office furniture systems and modules which are specifically designed to make efficient use of space. These new elements enable people to switch rapidly between working on their own and in teams by creating private zones without barriers.

Room for communication
Although green offices make careful use of space, employees often find they have more room to move around than in conventional buildings. Architecture with virtually no pillars delivers accessibility and good visibility combined with a spacious feel, which in turn supports internal processes and procedures.