Changing environments

It is possible to accommodate lower occupancy rates, extended office hours and an increased commitment to health and wellbeing, without skyrocketing costs.

Performing optimally, as opposed to simply functioning, is a whole different story. To work at our best, people need a stable working environment without random variables.

If you are considering replacing a 20-year-old HVAC system, you have a window of opportunity where you can stop, think, and plan for the next 20 years, to design your building’s future and create something that will attract tenants for another 20 years.

Most modern workplaces put a high priority on staff engagement and employee culture. But even the absolute best culture can be undermined by the invisible health risk of indoor air quality.

Upgrades do not have to be all done in one hit; with forward planning, it can be staged over several years, all the stages providing incremental improvements – eventually coming together as a coherent system.

To deliver creative solutions, any building or plant refurbishment project needs to be driven by a master plan, allowing progressive innovations introduced stage by stage, while building towards the ultimate outcome and saving on work and spending.

Innovation is often seen as something that mandates new technology. But an innovative HVAC solution for an existing building can just as often incorporate recycled or repurposed equipment.

We are still working with systems that need human input, ideally, a building management system is set up with its users in mind, such as a Facility or Building Manager responsible for its day-to-day operations.

Tenants are more aware of their environment than ever before and are requesting reassurance that buildings are safe and healthy.

With the right technology and systems, the typical commercial office building has the potential to make energy savings of between 20 and 40%.

The way to avoid stress and cost is to plan and if planned, in advance, central plant upgrades can be completed with minimal disruption for tenants.