Employers Inch Up Workplace Sustainability on Their List

NEW YORK CITY – Workplace sustainability in design and development is growing as more employers make it an aforethought than an afterthought to not only meet policy requirements but because of growing pressure from clients and investors, JulieAnn Soeder, project designer at Architecture firm Vocon, tells GlobeSt.com.

No one development project is the same. Needs and desires vary across the board, and sustainability pressures change and come from different places depending on the size of the employer occupying a space. For instance, large firms have top-down pressure when approaching the development of its workspace, considering taxes and investor preference, whereas for smaller companies that interest may come from staff and take a grassroots form, according to Soeder.

Workplace sustainability interest is across the board from small to large projects that include consideration for materials that are sustainable, recyclable and health-supportive. In the conception stages, designers are beginning with building systems like HVAC for heating and cooling, lighting systems, indoor air quality and material types for flooring, Soeder said.

“You want to walk the talk not only for employee retention from the bottom up, but it is necessary and highly needed if you’re going to push sustainable initiatives forward consistently,” she said.

As sustainable workplace practices grow in the coming years, local and state pressures will not be the big push for employers aiming to curb their carbon footprint. It’ll become about cost-savings for energy efficiency and conservation, which could ultimately lead to a less risk-averse market about sustainability efforts.

“It’s up to the designer to say ‘hey, how we can incorporate this early on in the process because it’s cheaper,’” Soeder said. “And as the knowledge becomes commonplace, it’ll be much easier to have the conversation earlier.”