From cubicles to spaces with an open layout, office spaces have come a long way. The global issues of climate change, loss of habitat and biodiversity, and increasing consciousness of giving back to society have prompted workplace providers to embrace sustainability. Sustainable office spaces not only reduce the carbon footprints of businesses but also have a positive impact on employee well-being and productivity, besides ensuring a plethora of benefits to businesses. A report by real estate consultancy Vestian Research has highlighted that more than 65 per cent of Grade A office space in India’s top seven cities is green-certified. This reflects the broader trend of sustainable workspaces gaining traction in India.
This article assesses how sustainable workplaces are reimagining the future of work while ensuring greener and harmonious future for businesses.
Ensuring Accountability towards Environment
Businesses are increasingly recognising their role in solving the most pressing challenges, including those of the environment. Using eco-friendly materials and construction techniques, recycling resources, and adopting solar energy are some ways to adopt sustainability. These measures ensure sustainable future and demonstrate businesses’ commitment to the environment.
Reducing Operational Expenses
Sustainable workspaces with energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly materials and intelligent HVAC systems reduce carbon emissions while resulting in significant cost savings for businesses in the long run. These savings can be ploughed back into businesses, resulting in growth and fostering innovation. For instance, buildings equipped with solar panels can generate adequate electricity to meet their requirements. Similarly, buildings with rainwater harvesting systems benefit from recycling water, making the business cost-effective.
Increasing Productivity and Ensuring Wellness
Sustainable design prioritises the wellness of employees. The provision of ample sunlight and ventilation, improved air quality, ergonomic furniture, and optimum room temperature aids employee productivity and contributes to their overall well-being. Research has shown that employees in sustainable workplaces like flex space provider wework, awfis, smartworks offices are typically more focused, innovative, and motivated.
Fostering Collaboration and Innovation
Sustainable workplaces often incorporate open floor plans and dedicated collaborative zones, encouraging employees to gather, brainstorm, ideate and exchange ideas. Such an environment fosters innovation by facilitating connection and collaboration among employees.
Attracting and Retaining Talent
Enhanced productivity, increased collaboration and wellness have a direct impact on employee retention. Sustainable office spaces play an instrumental role in attracting the best talent as it demonstrates the company’s commitment towards the environment and employees. This helps companies to attract and retain talent, providing them with a competitive advantage.
Fostering a Sustainable Culture
Sustainable office spaces demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainability. By establishing a physical environment aligned with their values, these spaces motivate employees to embrace sustainability even outside their workplaces. With employees becoming brand ambassadors for responsible practices, it heralds a cultural transition towards sustainability.
Examples of sustainability
Suzlon One Earth, the corporate headquarters of Suzlon in Pune, is one of the largest green building projects in India, with a capacity to accommodate 2300 people. It is also India’s first building to be certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The campus is powered by 18 hybrid wind turbines on the premises as well as offsite wind turbines.
Infinity Benchmark in Kolkata is the city’s first LEED Platinum-rated building spanning across 5,60,000 square feet. Its green features consist of rooftop terrace garden, zero discharge rainwater harvesting system and insulation layers in walls and ceilings.
Smartworks, an office experience and managed campus platform aims to enhance its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Since June 2023, it has initiated a comprehensive environmental, social and governance program.
The perception of sustainable office spaces has witnessed a paradigm shift from being a buzzword to a necessity fuelled by issues of climate change, shift in employee preferences and increasing awareness of ESG. Sustainable office spaces are not just structures; they echo companies’ fundamental commitment to sustainability for their business and the planet as a whole. Sustainable office spaces will go a long way in reimagining the future of work, as well as ensuring a green and harmonious future for generations to come.