Office Buildings

An office building is a commercial building specifically designed for use as a workplace by businesses and organizations. It typically has multiple floors, with each floor containing a number of individual offices or open work spaces. Some office buildings may also have conference rooms, break rooms and other amenities for the use of employees. Office buildings are typically located in business districts or other areas with easy access to transportation and amenities.

Office Buildings Articles

Office building design has changed

COVID, employee well-being and indoor air quality issues have all changed the way office buildings are designed

Respondents:

  • Daniel Donahoe, PE, Senior Mechanical Engineer, LEO A DALY, Omaha, NE
  • Tyler Jensen, PE, LEED AP, Studio Leader, ESD, Chicago, IL
  • Brad McNiff, PE, LEED AP, WELL AP, Principal, GHT Limited, Arlington, VA
  • Gerald Williams, PE, LEED AP, Senior Mechanical Engineer, CRB, St. Louis, MO

Daniel Donahoe, PE, Senior Mechanical Engineer, LEO A DALY, Omaha, NE – Tyler Jensen, PE, LEED AP, Studio Leader, ESD, Chicago, IL – Brad McNiff, PE, LEED AP, WELL AP, Principal, GHT Limited, Arlington, VA – Gerald Williams, PE, LEED AP, Senior Mechanical Engineer, CRB, St. Louis, MO.

What’s the biggest trend you see in office buildings?

Daniel Donahoe: Stay-at-home orders during COVID-19 have accelerated the adoption of remote working and hybrid scheduling. With that, buildings need to be able to seamlessly flex between full to partial occupancy. Meanwhile, employees are looking for ways to engage with counterparts in their homes and offices simultaneously. To enable this level of flexibility and connectivity, we’re seeing increased demand for technology that can accommodate mobility and allow for staff to collaborate from anywhere.

Working from home has also reduced the occupied load in current office buildings. This is contributing to higher heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems efficiency, especially for chillers and boilers that operate at a higher part-load efficiency.

Tyler Jensen: A focus on employee well-being. Buildings are investing in upgraded air filtration, enhanced ventilation, secondary air purification, air quality monitoring systems and other measures to help make employees feel safe and comfortable returning to the office. Further, buildings are improving amenities and adding perks that encourage employees to work from the office rather than from home.

Gerald Williams: The most significant trend I have seen in office buildings is that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, there has been a widespread reluctance for many, if not most, workers to return to the office environment. This may be due to new restrictions on public gatherings, mask mandates and social distancing and a general concern for personal safety from the risk of contracting the virus.

With Zoom, Teams and other video conferencing tools now available, many people are discovering that they can be as productive from home as they were in the office every day, without the wasted time and money of a daily commute. As a result, many people now work entirely from home or through a hybrid model where they only go into the office once or twice a week for in-person meetings and to take advantage of office resources like a color printer.

Carson Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, is an example of innovative, high-performance design achieved through visionary architecture and highly refined engineering. Courtesy: AJ Brown Imaging, LEO A DALY Carson Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, is an example of innovative, high-performance design achieved through visionary architecture and highly refined engineering. Courtesy: AJ Brown Imaging, LEO A DALY

What trends do you anticipate in the next six to 12 months?

Daniel Donahoe: Spaces will shift from more individual or private spaces (offices and workstations) to more flexible shared spaces that support functions people cannot get at home — namely, collaboration, socialization and learning. Employees have become completely untethered and float between spaces supported by state-of-the-art audiovisual and lighting that enhances the interior environment. Smart buildings allow for all spaces in a floor plate to react to changing outdoor conditions immediately, with systems reacting in real time to provide optimal comfort for occupants.

Post-COVID, we’re seeing an increased focus on the health impacts of the building, especially with indoor air quality. Owners are paying more attention to ASHRAE recommendations for HVAC systems. For example, pre-COVID, they would be happy with a MERV 8 rating for filter efficiency, but we’re seeing office buildings with MERV 13 ratings.

Tyler Jensen: Newer office buildings will continue to differentiate themselves with higher-performing ventilation systems and improved amenity and retail offerings. As tenants return more to those newer office buildings, older buildings will look for ways to catch up. I anticipate more repositioning work in existing buildings such as lobby renovations, amenity upgrades and HVAC improvements.

Gerald Williams: The traditional open office environment, with rows and rows of cubicles stacked together with short partitions, may become a thing of the past. People working in close proximity is not ideal for preventing the spread of airborne diseases, but is also no longer practical with so much of our daily business performed through video conferencing media. Even with good headphones, having multiple people talking into microphones next to each other can be distracting and counterproductive. The traditional meeting method of gathering people in small conference rooms is still perceived as unsafe, so the prolific use of video conferencing may become a permanent fixture of daily office life.

We may see a trend toward more individual offices instead of an open cubicle format as a means of isolating individuals from one another to prevent the spread of airborne disease. Individual offices are also more suitable for participating in virtual environment meetings and activities. New hybrid work models give employees who want or need to return to the brick-and-mortar offices a higher level of personal protection and productivity as underused spaces get converted into private, walled rooms.

How are you working with building owners and facilities personnel to ensure workers can safely return to office buildings after COVID-19 shutdowns?

Daniel Donahoe: Owners are definitely looking for improved indoor air quality. We are recommending increasing filter efficiency as per the ASHRAE recommendation. Existing and older fan systems may not have adequate fan power to meet the increased filter efficiency, which would lead to frequent filter replacement.

Companies are also working to maintain cleanability and adequate social distancing, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. COVID-19 has fundamentally changed workplace strategy for many employers. Offices must now appeal to workers by offering something people cannot recreate at home — authentic connection to colleagues in spaces that appeal to employees in new ways. Spaces must be comfortable, easy to use and visually appealing. Amenity spaces that provide natural light, connections to the outdoors, ways to unwind and socialize are becoming the norm.

Tyler Jensen: We developed a rapid building wellness assessment to help building owners and facilities personnel evaluate their existing building systems and operations and identify areas for modification that could improve indoor air quality in line with industry guidelines. Many buildings increased ventilation rates and HVAC operating hours in line with ASHRAE guidelines and were able to achieve goals with minimal capital expenditure. Some building owners wanted to go further and differentiate their assets by providing best in class indoor air quality. Our team worked with one client, Riverside, to deploy a state-of-the-art indoor air quality program at three office towers (one existing, two under construction) consisting of MERV 15 hospital-grade filtration, increased ventilation rates, secondary air purification and a 24/7 year-round air quality and pollutant measurement and verification system.

Gerald Williams: Even with the apparent success of transitioning to the virtual meeting environment, there continues to be a need for people to meet in person on occasion. As facility design engineers, it is incumbent on us to develop meeting places that address the safety concerns of people with respect to the spread of airborne diseases. As a result, this may completely change the way typical office HVAC systems are designed and operated.

Before the pandemic, environmental air distribution systems were designed with air diffusers that provided high throw and turbulence for good mixing of the colder air with the warm room air as a cost-efficient way of cooling the space. Costly, fresh outside air was kept to a minimum, per ASHRAE 62.1 standards and used mainly as a means for diluting volatile organic compounds, volatile organic compounds, from building materials, carbon dioxide by people exhaling and other odors that may be generated in the indoor environment.

With the desire to help prevent the spread of airborne particles and pathogens, a new approach to office environment HVAC design may need to be considered.

For decades, engineers and architects at CRB have been designing environments that tightly control the spread of particles and pathogens in bio-pharmaceutical cleanrooms and indoor environments to support the sensitive nature of the drug manufacturing process. These designs use laminar airflow diffusers with terminal HEPA filtration and low wall returns to gently capture particles that are generated by people and products, sweeping them away from the breathing zone using laminar airflow patterns.

This is in sharp contrast to the standard office airflow design, which uses low-efficiency filtration and high-velocity diffusers to create turbulent airflow patterns in the office for good mixing. Offices could use cleanroom techniques by installing terminal HEPA filters and low wall returns to wash clean air over conference tables, break room areas and office desks to sweep particles generated by employees downward into low wall returns. The addition of low-velocity HEPA filtered air in the breathing zone of occupants, in combination with a higher percentage of outside air, could substantially increase the air quality and resulting health and safety of the indoor environment.

Heat wheels and other similar energy recovery systems can recover up to 80% of the sensible and latent energy of air being exhausted, so a 100% outside air HVAC system could be more economical to operate and provide an additional level of higher air quality for the indoor environment.

Tell us about a recent project you’ve worked on that’s innovative, large-scale or otherwise noteworthy.

Daniel Donahoe: Carson Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, is an example of innovative, high-performance design achieved through visionary architecture and highly refined engineering. Clad in electrochromic glass, the high-tech building skin bathes the interior in healthy daylight, yet occupants experience very little glare or heat gain. With no need for window coverings, dramatic vistas are available in every season. Natural daylight renders truer colors, skin tones and textures, enhancing the circadian rhythms of occupants. All this while reducing energy consumption — 15% less for HVAC and 74% less for electric lighting. A post-occupancy evaluation confirmed performance using illuminance meters, spectrometers and other devices. On the hottest days of summer, the building was still 19% more efficient.

A case study is available here: https://spark.adobe.com/page/39Z36fAHFJcRQ/

Based on intensive research of Carson’s brand and values, LEO A DALY developed the design concept for Carson headquarters to embrace a thriving, work-live-play culture. The 194,000-square-foot office campus features two four-story glass towers joined by a two-story amenity zone. Inside the amenity zone, named Carson Commons, visitors and Carson employees can dine, socialize and nourish their health with café and fitness amenities.

LEO A DALY’s design for Carson headquarters earned the moniker Ascend based on its upward-sweeping rooflines, which reference Carson’s guided by growth — live life by design, not by default value. The exterior features a transparent skin that invites ample interior daylighting to a mix of private and collaborative workspaces, while conveying outwardly Carson’s value of transparency.

Integrated amenities such as courtyards, a rooftop terrace and the central amenity zone reinforce Carson’s passion for its people and its obsession with the client experience. Carson’s family philosophy toward its employees informs the interior design. Public areas are designated as living room, front porch and kitchen table and the materiality is light and open, with natural wood accents lending warmth, like an invitation, especially when made visually prominent by streams of daylight. Orientation of the campus opens southward, maximizing diurnal cycles in all of Nebraska’s four seasons. From higher elevations, it also offers sweeping views of Heartwood Preserve, the adjacent 500-acre mixed-use development.

Tyler Jensen: We are working on a 700,000-rentable-square-foot, 30-story office tower in Denver for Riverside Investment and Development with Goettsch Partners architects. The building is currently in design and will break ground in Q1 2022. We have previously worked with this same team on multiple office towers in Chicago, but we were presented with a unique challenge in Denver due to the stringent energy code requirement to be 24% better than International Energy Conservation Code 2018.

The market demand is for a highly glazed envelope with floor-to-ceiling views, which can be a challenge for energy performance. Extensive energy modeling was used to confirm that code could be met with a high-performance curtain wall coupled with highly efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The primary HVAC system consists of a dedicated outdoor air system (with increased ventilation rates for indoor air quality benefit) and a water-source variable refrigerant flow system for space heating and cooling. The end result will be a best-in-class, highly efficient building that achieves the desired aesthetic and will be attractive to potential tenants.

Brad McNiff: Metropolitan Park, the first phase of Amazon’s HQ2 development in Arlington, Virginia, is a 2.2 million square foot Class A office project spread across two 22-story towers, connected by an ~800,000-square-foot underground parking garage. GHT partnered with ZGF Architects and other design professionals to design the new project, which is being managed and developed by Seneca Group and JBG Smith, respectively.

Several sophisticated MEP systems were needed to meet the project’s aggressive sustainability goals, including a premium efficiency central chilled water plant optimized around the campus load profile derived from energy modeling, dedicated outdoor air systems with sensible cooling fan-powered terminal units, water-to-water heat pumps to reclaim heat from building condenser water loops for domestic hot water heating, greywater and stormwater recycling systems and foundation dewatering heat exchange systems. The project is currently being built by Clark Construction and will be completed in 2023.

How are engineers designing office facilities to keep costs down while offering appealing features, complying with relevant codes and meeting client needs?

Daniel Donahoe: Supply chain issues are driving cost conversations, especially where the unavailability of a certain product can cause delays in the project. We’ve had to remain flexible to pivot to different building systems or materials, designing around access and lead times. We are specifying the products that are most available and have the best lead times and changing design accordingly to maintain schedule and cost.

For example, we recently switched from using a variable frequency drive motor instead of an electronically commutated motor on a fan because there was an 18-week lead time for the ECM, compared to four weeks for the VFD. Avoiding delays is critical to saving on cost.

Tyler Jensen: The best way is to use solutions that can reduce first costs while also improving energy performance needed to comply with energy codes and certification programs like U.S. Green Building Council LEED. For office HVAC systems, we are using low-temperature air and water distribution systems with a high delta T to achieve that goal. Low-temperature air systems can provide the required cooling capacity with lower air volume. Smaller fans, shafts and ductwork reduces the first cost and also provides significant fan energy savings. Similarly, high delta T water distribution systems reduce installed pump and pipe sizes and also provides pumping energy savings.

Office Buildings FAQ

  • What role does a MEP engineer have in the design of an office building?

    In summary, a MEP engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, comfort and energy efficiency of the building's mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and other special systems that the office building may require, such as:

    • Designing the HVAC systems to provide a comfortable environment for the occupants and to meet energy efficiency targets.
    • Designing the electrical systems to provide power and lighting throughout the building and to meet safety and code requirements.
    • Designing the plumbing systems to provide potable water and to remove waste and stormwater.
    • Coordinating the design of the building systems with other consultants and contractors to ensure that the systems are integrated and compatible.
    • Providing technical support during construction to ensure that the systems are installed correctly and are in compliance with the design intent.
    • Considering the telecommunications and data networks, fire protection systems and other special systems that the office building may require.
  • What are the current design trends in office buildings?

    1. Building automation: Office buildings are incorporating technology throughout the building, including smart building systems, high-speed internet and other audio-visual equipment and providing ample power and data connections.
    2. Safety and security: Office buildings are incorporating safety and security features, such as secure entrances, cameras and emergency communication systems, to protect building occupants.
    3. Health and wellness: Office buildings are designed to promote the health and well-being of the occupants, with features such as natural light, outdoor spaces and materials that promote indoor air quality.
    4. Collaboration and community: Office buildings are designed to foster collaboration and community, with spaces such as shared workspaces, common areas and outdoor spaces.
    5. Amenities: Office buildings are increasingly incorporating amenities such as fitness centers, food courts and other social spaces to attract and retain tenants.
    6. Remote work support: With the pandemic and the increasing trend of remote work, office buildings are being designed with the necessary infrastructure and technology to support remote work, such as high-speed internet, video conferencing and shared workspaces.
  • What are three ways to make office building more energy efficient?

    1. Energy management systems: Implementing an energy management system (EMS) to monitor and control energy usage in the building can help identify areas where energy is being wasted and implement changes to reduce consumption.
    2. Smart building automation: Designing the office building to be smart can also help to make it more energy efficient by automatically adjusting lighting, temperature and ventilation based on occupancy and usage patterns.
    3. Power management: Implementing power management practices, such as turning off equipment and lights when not in use, can help reduce energy consumption in office buildings.
  • What are four things to consider when retrofitting an office building?

    1. Code compliance: It is essential to ensure that the retrofit complies with all relevant building codes and regulations, including energy codes and accessibility standards. This includes ensuring that all upgrades and replacements meet the necessary codes and regulations to ensure safety and compliance.
    2. Cost-effectiveness: When retrofitting an office building, it is important to consider the cost-effectiveness of the upgrades and replacements. This includes evaluating the potential energy savings and other benefits of different retrofit options and determining which options are the most cost-effective in the long run. This also includes considering any grants, incentives or financing options that might be available to help offset the costs.
    3. Occupant needs: It's important to consider the needs of the occupants during the retrofitting process. This includes taking into account the specific needs of the office users, visitors and staff, as well as considering how the retrofit will impact the overall functionality and usability of the facility.
    4. Phasing: Retrofitting an office building can be a complex process, it's important to consider the phasing of the retrofit to minimize disruption to the facility's operations and occupants. This includes determining the most effective order in which to complete the retrofit and scheduling the work to minimize the impact on occupants.

Some FAQ content was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT. Due to the limitations of AI tools, all content was edited and reviewed by our content team.