The last few years have been an important time to re-imagine commercial architecture. Now more than ever it is wise to make sure the properties prioritise wellbeing and suit the functions of businesses. Many companies need to do this just to make people want to return to the office. There is also a focus on ensuring buildings are gentle on the environment.

With all of the above in mind, it is a good idea to look at the current sustainability trends for commercial properties. You should consider all of them if you are looking to modernise your building.

Choose smart systems

One of the easiest ways to make commercial premises more sustainable is to reduce waste. A way to do this is to use modern smart systems. They can collect data on inhabitant’s behaviour and building use. The information can then allow you to make changes to optimise performance. For example, you could adapt lighting, water, and more.

What makes these smart systems even more valuable is they can maximise the user experience. The data can show when people are using different spaces and what they are doing. You can then make sure everything will be comfortable for them without any input to think about things like changing the thermostat.

Embrace newer HVAC technology

Heating, cooling, and ventilation systems often require a lot of energy. As a result, they can be one of the main contributors to the carbon footprint of commercial architecture. The larger the building, the bigger this can be.

However, there are opportunities here to use newer tech that is more sustainable. In fact, some systems can be much better for larger buildings. After all, you can fit more solar panels on a huge roof. There are plenty of options to explore, such as ground source heating.

It is also a good idea to look at systems to regulate HVAC use. They can help improve any system, including older tech. A good idea is to flush buildings with cold air at night to reduce cooling needs the next day.

Make the design more passive

The core idea here is to use more natural resources in place of artificial. So, you can choose passive designs to maximise the use of natural light, heating, and cooling. It will make the building far more sustainable because you are not relying on electricity to power systems.

There are lots of different things to look at. For example, you can choose the orientation of the property to allow as much natural lighting and ventilation as possible. Or, you can adapt it to minimise exposure to the sun. On top of all of that, you can be creative with the building envelopes.

Be sustainable with your commercial architecture

At Coffey Architects we know that sustainability is one of the most important things for all kinds of buildings. In fact, it is something that most people want now. It can influence where they choose to live, work, and shop. Businesses need to think about it if they want to be successful.

So, if you have ideas for your commercial architecture, we would be happy to help. You can contact us to discuss and see how we can expand them. Then, if you want to move forward we can handle designs, planning permission, and more.