Today sustainability is one of the most important factors for businesses. It’s a crucial responsibility, but also a big opportunity to enjoy some impressive benefits. We want to have a closer look here to see how you can make the most of commercial architecture, ensuring it will provide long term value.

Energy efficiency

Most people know the importance of energy efficiency in the modern world. Our energy use has a massive impact on the planet, especially in terms of harmful emissions. Even exploring and extracting resources like oil and gas can cause huge damage. Plus, higher prices can cause problems for households and businesses, increasing their costs.

The best solution is to make buildings more efficient, reducing consumption where possible. It can be quite tricky with large commercial properties, especially businesses that rely on a huge amount of energy intensive equipment. Some key changes can have a massive impact though, including prioritising natural lighting and ventilation, low energy HVAC systems, and energy efficient tech. It’s also a great idea to look at using renewable tech to generate electricity sustainably on site.

Water management

Sustainability doesn’t focus just on electricity; it’s also important to manage other key resources. One that we definitely need to think about is water. It’s becoming scarcer around the world because of a combination of factors like climate change, population growth, and pollution.

Commercial architecture can be a major consumer of water. Even simple offices can use a surprising amount when you consider all the bathrooms, kitchens, and other facilities. So, it’s important to design to reduce water use. For example, switching to low flow taps and toilets can save a massive amount of water.

There are also a number of opportunities with commercial properties to do things like rainwater harvesting and water treatment. It can boost supplies, feeding toilets and other non-consumption applications.

Long term value

The most important thing to keep in mind is sustainable designs provide the best long term returns for everyone. They benefit building owners, making them more attractive to prospective tenants and ensuring higher resale values. In addition, they appeal to businesses who want premium, energy efficient space with lower operating costs.

Crucially, high quality sustainable buildings are better for urban areas and the residents. They are more likely to have consistent occupants, ensuring they don’t become a blight on the area. Plus, they can save resources and reduce emissions, making areas more resilient and addressing things like air pollution.

Design sustainable commercial architecture to deliver a brighter future

Businesses today are being more careful about what buildings they choose to inhabit. Many want high quality, modern, sustainable properties that align with their green goals. So, it is important that designs tick all the right boxes. There are plenty of fantastic opportunities to ensure the properties are sustainable, resource conscious, and climate smart.

If you’re thinking of a project, Coffey Architects can certainly help. We’ve got plenty of experience, including designing award winning commercial architecture. You can work with us to ensure the designs will provide long term value and benefits for all stakeholders. You can contact us if you want to discuss any kind of project, including new builds and redevelopment.