Customization

When choosing reclaimed wood for a space, there are a number of options and factors to consider. If sourcing locally is important, Western Red Cedar is a favorable option for an installation in the Pacific Northwest. If the design calls for a sense of elegance and sophistication, a tropical hardwood such as teak is a great choice. There’s a perfect wood and finish for every situation.

One tried and true choice is reclaimed oak. Oak is durable, takes a finish well and is a versatile design element that will complement just about any aesthetic. TerraMai offers several oak options. In this post, I’d like to shine the spotlight on Mission Oak Engineered Flooring and Paneling; our homage to America’s Mission and Craftsman eras. To illustrate the power and versatility of this wood, here are 14 examples of Mission Oak in action.

1. Mission Oak complements this office’s industrial-chic environment

From TerraMai: Mission Oak helps to create visual interest in this space

Reclaimed wood works very well with the industrial-chic aesthetic that’s prevalent in many contemporary office spaces. Mission Oak in particular is a great choice due to its character inclusive of occasional surface checking and filled nail holes. Oak’s natural tan and khaki hues with darker grain features help make the wood stand out and draw attention. When paired with industrial elements like exposed piping and brick walls, Mission Oak softens these harder elements making the space feel less stark. It also adds a touch of biophilia to an otherwise industrial atmosphere, which will increase productivity, boost morale, and enhance the overall experience.

2. Mission Oak adds visual contrast

From TerraMai: Mission Oak flooring provides contrast with the darker elements in this space

Mission Oak Engineered Flooring adds lighter tones to balance out the darker elements in this installation. The flooring provides neutral, warming elements and the result is a more beautiful, inviting space.

3. Social spaces open up with Mission Oak

From TerraMai: This lounge space features expansive Mission Oak flooring

This light and airy communal office space is grounded with Mission Oak’s warm and welcoming flooring. Mission Oak with a poly finish keeps the natural oak aesthetic and enhances this bright space. In addition, natural materials like reclaimed wood in general are great for lounges because it helps to reduce stress and lower blood pressure, contributing to a more relaxing experience. Multiple studies have shown that wood improves a person’s emotional state and level of self expression. All the more reason to incorporate reclaimed wood into social and collaborative work spaces.

4. Mission Oak supports occupant well-being

From TerraMai: This minimalist hallway is rounded out with reclaimed Mission Oak Paneling and Mission Oak clad beams

The WELL Building Standard emphasizes designing the entire facility for occupant well-being. This includes hallways and stairwells that are often overlooked and the employee-only back-end environment of hotels, airports, hospitals and retail establishments where customers never frequent. One way to offset the often stark lack of nature inherent in these spaces is to use reclaimed wood. This will create a natural connection that better satisfies the innate human need to participate in nature.

From TerraMai: Mission Oak’s unique character adds interest to this hallway

5. Mission Oak provides brand and customer experience in this retail space

From TerraMai: This Sam Edelman store uses Mission Oak Flooring to add an extra touch of class that mirrors the brand message

Designers of retail establishments select materials that convey and reflect the retail store’s brand and values. Materials also need to enhance the customer’s experience in the store. The beautiful aesthetic of reclaimed wood is ideal for these spaces and has been shown to increase perceived product value.

Sam Edelman is one company known for using reclaimed wood in its stores. Sam Edelman’s story is quintessentially American. From simple beginnings and hard work, he used his entrepreneurial spirit to pursue a design passion for shoes, always persevering and following his intuition to re-invent himself. Mission Oak has a similar vibe, from humble beginnings as a workhorse material utilized for industrial shipping, it has been reclaimed and turned into beautiful flooring and paneling. Pictured above is a retail location that uses Mission Oak Flooring to provide warm tones and texture.

6. This bank uses Mission Oak Flooring for a professional look

From TerraMai: Reclaimed Mission Oak Flooring with Cowboy Coffee at US AmeriBank in Florida

Reclaimed wood works well in any space that calls for a professional, refined aesthetic including hotels, institutions, banks, government buildings, and restaurants. US AmeriBank uses Mission Oak Engineered Flooring with a Cowboy Coffee finish to deliver a soothing banking experience. The dark flooring makes a striking impression and conveys to customers that US AmeriBank takes their banking needs seriously.

7. 111 Washington uses a creative Mission Oak Paneling layout that draws the eye

From TerraMai: Mission Oak paneling cleverly fills the spaces in between elevators at 111 Washington

Designed by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki, 111 Washington Square in Minneapolis is conscious of both its tenants and the environment. It aims to create a workspace that empowers workers to perform at their best, and it also promotes sustainability across the board. The design achieves these two goals simultaneously by using plenty of reclaimed wood, which is not only sustainable but also conducive to more productive work. One of my favorite installations of reclaimed wood is the Mission Oak Paneling in the elevator lobby. The planks were installed at an angle drawing the eye up to the laser cut metal ceiling panels. The lighting is well designed making the Mission Oak Paneling look even more luminous.

8. Mission Oak Paneling makes a visual impact

From TerraMai: At Station 101 in Westwood, MA,  Mission Oak White Engineered Paneling

The ultra-high ceilings, abundant natural light, spaciousness, seating variety, living walls, potted plants and Mission Oak Paneling all work together to inspire conversation and creativity in Station 101’s collaborative social gathering space.

9. Mission Oak Red offers rich variation

From TerraMai: Gravitate! uses a wonderful combination of Mission Oak Red Flooring and Lost Coast Redwood Weathered Paneling

While Mission Oak White is known for being more even toned, Mission Oak Red boasts a bit more variety. The copper tones instill a vibrancy, and the wood carries all the character and trademarks expected of Mission Oak. The communal space at Gravitate! combined reclaimed red oak along with Lost Coast Weathered Paneling to naturally energize people for the most productive meetings.

10. REI uses Mission Oak to create a strong customer experience

From TerraMai: Mission Oak Red Flooring at REI in Denver reflects the brand and makes for an immersive customer experience

REI is one of the world’s most famous outdoor gear retailers. Naturally, they want their retail stores to reflect their brand and give the customer an unforgettable experience. Since reclaimed wood creates a strong natural connection, it’s a great choice for REI. Their Denver flagship store uses Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring to echo the brand’s outdoorsy aesthetic and bring shoppers closer to nature. Mission Oak Flooring will handle REI’s high customer traffic and convey REI’s brand values. In addition, social research shows that shoppers spend most of their time looking down. Thus, a retailers floor is its fifth wall. Wood makes an emotional connection and the warmth, texture and character of reclaimed wood can create a richer shopping experience.

11. Mission Oak Flooring draws you into this space

From TerraMai: This room in The Hotel at Oberlin uses Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring

The Hotel at Oberlin is a wonderful example of sustainable design. It is one of only 5 hotels in the United States to have received LEED Platinum Certification. Fittingly, the Hotel has several environmental initiatives in place, and it uses many green building materials including Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring. The flooring does more than just look nice. It also enhances the environment; reclaimed wood is a top material choice for hospitality spaces due to its calming effects.

12. This office bolsters contemporary design with reclaimed wood

From TerraMai: Enthought’s office space is clean, minimal, and inspired, and the Mission Oak flooring fits right in

As a forward-thinking software company, Enthought wanted an office space that would be just as innovative. The company brought on Lauckgroup (which has since become part of Perkins+Will) to design a beautiful, inspirational workplace that combined timeless design concepts with present day trends. To that end, Lauckgroup utilized reclaimed Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring. The dark grain and warm tones of the wood complement the industrial setting and provide workers with a biophilic connection, which is especially important if a room has less than optimal daylight or limited window views of nature.

From TerraMai: Mission Oak flooring unifies the design of Enthought’s office

13. Capital One’s office pairs Mission Oak paneling with bold design

From TerraMai: Capital One in Chicago is clad in beautiful Mission Oak Engineered Paneling

Using human-centered design thinking, Capital One is reinventing banking with their Capital One Cafes. Banking and financial planning can cause anxiety with consumers. Capital One is determined to transform the customer experience. TerraMai’s reclaimed Mission Oak is a key element in these customer-centered spaces. Mission Oak with a tinted White Oil finish works well alongside the bold red and blue brand colors.

While Capital One is best known for its financial services, it’s also very environmentally minded. About 50% of their office portfolio has been certified through building standards like LEED, and the company has made LEED Silver Certification a requirement for all new projects.

14. The one-of-a-kind Space Crab Treehouse stays sturdy with Mission Oak Flooring

From Nelson Treehouse: This unique project made use of sustainable materials for a long lifespan

The Space Crab isn’t your typical architecture project. Built by Nelson Treehouse and Supply for Camp Southern Ground, the Space Crab is an expansive treehouse that blends futuristic design and biophilic design. Longevity was a prime concern for this project; the designers wanted it to last at least 100 years. As such, the Space Crab is built from resilient, natural materials such as steel and reclaimed wood. The project used Mission Oak Flooring with a Driftwood finish for the main treehouse interior, and the result is really fun and inviting.

Conclusion

Mission Oak is a remarkable wood that can perform in high traffic flooring areas, and delivers biophilic components as well as a variety of aesthetics. While it’s inspired by early American history, it’s a versatile and timeless wood. In addition, reclaimed oak––both white and red–– is a sturdy wood that will stand the test of time. I hope these 14 examples give you inspiration for your own projects and encourage you to take a closer look at reclaimed Mission Oak.

Stairs are an architectural feature that not only provide an opportunity to create a focal point but well-designed, beautiful stairs encourage physical activity and create opportunities for spontaneous interactions and can even be places for collaboration. With the biophilic movement and building standards like WELL, Fitwel and Living Building Challenge, stairs present interesting opportunities to contribute to occupant wellness. Here are some exceptional examples of stair treads to inspire your own projects.

Captivate people’s attention with multipurpose stair treads

From Dezeen: Evernote’s office features padded treads, encouraging employees to sit and collaborate

Multipurpose design is at an all-time high. In an effort to maximize the usability of a space, architects are experimenting with modular design. When applied to stairs, this results in some unique concepts that are practical but also eye-catching and fun. At Evernote, the designers turned the idea of stair treads on its head by padding some of the treads, creating seating spaces on one side of a staircase. In an office setting, this concept encourages social interaction and on-the-spot collaboration, which results in higher productivity. The design is rounded out by selecting wood for the stairs, which warms the space and provides numerous biophilic benefits.

There are many other situations in which stair treads become more useful when doubled as seating. Retail spaces, universities, libraries, and event spaces can all make use of staircase seating. This also opens the door for designers to imagine new ways to integrate stairs into the built environment. By considering stairs as dual-purpose steps and seats, designers can easily and efficiently optimize a space. This is especially useful in smaller spaces, where multipurpose design is a necessity. At AutoGravity, the stairs incorporate a slide to serve as another way to convey the company’s innovative and creative brand values.

From Lawrence Anderson: AutoGravity’s stairs and stadium seating provide a creative and fun place to connect and collaborate

Outdoor spaces can also utilize multipurpose seating. Bleachers are common outdoor seating options, but they’re not ideal as stairs. Instead, wide outdoor staircases can double as seating for large events. One example is the Plassen Cultural Center in Norway designed by 3XN Architects. Renowned for its jazz concerts, the Center features an expansive staircase that’s used for seating during events. “By using steps instead of traditional seats, the atmosphere becomes more informal,” said 3XN creative director Kim Herforth Nielsen. “By turning the building into an integrated part of the public square it becomes more than a building. It turns into a piece of land art, which adds an extra dimension to the place and generates life.”

From Dezeen: The Plassen Cultural Center’s outdoor steps transform into casual seating during events

Lighted stair treads create visual interest

From TerraMai: Lincoln Square backlit Mission Oak Driftwood Stair Treads.

Architects and designers are placing more importance on stairs. Meeting compliance standards is a must but designers are adept at finding ways to design in function that are also eye-catching features. There are very practical reasons behind stair tread design. In a presentation for the 2014 International Conference on Universal Design, architects Karen Kim and Edward Steinfeld explored the effect of stairway interaction on users. They concluded that higher tread visibility can improve stair safety if used correctly. This means that drawing more attention to the actual treads can keep user distraction to a minimum, thereby reducing the amount of accidents.

While stair treads can be simple, more designers are using them as canvasses to unify a space’s design and create a stronger experience. The possibilities are endless. Treads can extend an underlying theme present in a built environment, or they can introduce a new design element that complements the existing architecture.

Aesthetically Pleasing Stairs Encourage Short Periods of Physical Activity

From TerraMai: The reclaimed teak stairs at UC Berkeley Energy Biosciences Building are a central feature that keep students and faculty on the go.

Stairwells hidden from view are becoming a thing of the past. To encourage intermittent bouts of physical activity, it is important for stairs to be readily visible to building occupants. People are more likely to take the stairs if stairs are in sight and aesthetically pleasing. WELL’s Fitness Concept includes the Feature, Interior Fitness Circulation, which specifies the integration of interior pathways and stairs within the built environment in an effort to reduce sedentary tendencies. Part 3 of the Feature focuses on incorporating aesthetic elements throughout the stair; artwork, music, daylighting, window views, light levels and biophilic elements.

Biophilic stair treads can improve occupant health and wellness

From the Miller Hull: The Center’s stairwells offer ample light and shadows providing biophilic benefits to occupants

Biophilic design is extremely popular for its proven ability to enhance wellness in the built environment. As a holistic design philosophy, biophilic design ought to be integrated into every part of a building, and that includes stair treads. Using wood for treads is a simple and cost-effective way to incorporate biophilia. Reclaimed wood is particularly ideal because it fosters a strong visual and material connection to nature, and its nearly universal aesthetic appeal looks fantastic in any space.

The staircase at the Living Building Challenge certified Bullitt Center in Seattle, WA (pictured above) is an exemplary example of biophilic designed stairs. The irresistible staircase features fresh air, crafted wood and steel clad treads, ample daylight and stunning views of the Seattle skyline.

From Contemporist: This one-of-a-kind staircase in a Tel Aviv office building uses poplar wood to create a staircase that winds into a tornado-shaped balcony

While less common, using greenery on staircases is another biophilic option. This creates what is dubbed as a “living staircase.” The most famous example is located in Ampersand, a London office building. The verdant staircase was designed by Paul Cocksedge Studio and features a garden that winds down the length of the handrail. The treads weren’t overlooked either; FSC certified American white oak was used for its bright, minimal appearance. The Ampersand staircase is so noteworthy because it demonstrates how the different elements of a staircase can come together perfectly.

From Paul Cocksedge Studio: The Living Staircase is a breathtaking example of biophilic design

Experiential staircases with unique treads provide memorable focal points

From Dezeen: A steel and wood staircase is the star of this hallway at Piercy & Company

Experiential design is another idea that’s changing how Architecture & Design professionals are viewing the built environment. Experiential design is all about occupant-building interaction, so built elements that encourage such interaction are crucial. There’s also a branding aspect involved. Experiential designers believe that occupants ought to be engaged in a multi-sensorial narrative that increases the enjoyment of spending time in a space, and branding is critical to creating that narrative. When occupants feel connected to both the purpose and design of a built environment, an immersive experience is created.

So what would an experiential staircase look like? In short, it would include interesting design, attractive treads, and brand integration. The staircase at Piercy & Company (pictured above) is an excellent example. Its suspended steps and gently sloping handrails contribute to the building’s airy, minimalist feel. Moreover, the beautiful wood chosen for the treads and handrails contrasts well with the white steel. All in all, it’s a stunning staircase that never fails to draw the eye. It is so attractive that occupants are sure to use it often leading to chance meetings and greater worker interaction.

From TerraMai: Text on the risers of the reclaimed Douglas Fir treads reinforce Living Computers Museum + Lab branding.

Staircases are ideal candidates for experiential design since most occupants in a building with stairs often use them every day. It’s a great opportunity to take something common and fully integrate it into your brand and vision. Even a little change like installing new stair treads can boost worker morale and increase satisfaction.

Conclusion

Stair treads are more than just a functional element. In the same way that door frames accentuate doors, treads accentuate staircases. These inspiring examples show that it’s possible for stairs to transcend their obvious function; they can also become workstations, collaboration spots, event spaces and fitness components.

Best of all, it’s easy for your stair treads to be a stand out design feature. All you need is the right materials and a bit of inspiration.

Cedar’s durability, versatility and appearance make it a perfect choice for exterior applications and position it as one of the more popular woods specified by Architects and Designers. While cedar is used for a range applications, both interior and exterior, I thought I’d bring you a closer look specifically at cedar siding. Here are 8 projects that put a nice spin on cedar siding.

1. Japan’s Takano Nursery uses vertical cedar siding to accentuate the building’s geometry

From Inhabitat: This nursery’s cedar siding magnifies the building’s architecture of curves and stark angles

When Suga Architects Office was enlisted to design a new kindergarten in Kobe, Japan, the team rose to the challenge and implemented many facets of biophilic and sustainable design. The result was a beautiful, interesting geometric building featuring a rooftop garden and a green play area. For the exterior, Suga chose red cedar with a spectrum of tones from light khaki to medium brown.

This smart use of cedar siding accomplishes two important goals. First, it draws attention to the nursery’s thoughtful design by wrapping around the curves and emphasizing the angles of the building. Second, it provides many biophilic benefits for the children and faculty. People rate building’s with wood exteriors as homier, warmer and more inviting. All important factors for very young students and anxious parents. It goes to show how material choice can highlight important architectural features and focus on specific occupant concerns when designing contemporary buildings.

2. Cedar siding is fresh and inviting on Llwynderw School’s rounded facade

From Building Design index: Tiers of warm cedar siding give a welcoming feel to this school’s exterior

Llwynderw School in Wales doesn’t look like a typical primary school. The minimalist design is partially encased in what the head architect dubbed a “cedar shell,” a rounded, tiered section clad with cedar shingles. From the siding to the ample greenery surrounding the facility, the school’s cottage-inspired look fosters emotions of comfort and peace in students and teachers. The use of tiered siding is particularly noteworthy, creating visual interest and repetitive pattern without overwhelming the overall architecture.

3. This office building greets occupants with warm cedar siding

From Wood Works: The facade of Cornerstone Office Building is clad with planks of cedar siding

Purposive design is becoming one of the most important schools of thought in Architecture & Design. Whether it takes the form of experience design or intentional environment, purposive design is everywhere. The idea is that every part of a built environment should contribute to the creation of an experience for occupants, and thus material selection is highly important. The Cornerstone Office Building in Squamish, British Columbia embraces this philosophy. The exterior with its abundant use of glass, steel and concrete utilizes wood as a counterweight to soften and warm the building’s exterior. Notably, the central section of cedar siding that travels the height of the facade draws the eye up to the oversized cedar lined cantilevers. Cedar is local and thus provides a strong place-based material link to the environment. The cedar siding is the element that transforms and grounds the building exterior making it a unique and lively building in downtown Squamish, BC.

4. Columbia Sportswear maintains curb appeal with vibrant cedar

From Continuing Education: The attractive cedar exterior of this Columbia store in Seattle helps to draw in passersby

Since cedar is a sturdy, beautiful wood, it’s used by some of the biggest companies in the world, including Columbia Sportswear. Columbia’s Seattle store is clad in local Western Red Cedar that tonally complements the blue signage and is a great fit for their brand. Columbia has a rich heritage and global reputation for quality, innovation and performance. Cedar is the perfect building material to represent the brand and appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.  Placed on a highly visible corner, the cedar-covered store turns heads and makes for a stunning first impression. It’s also one of the most striking stores on the block thanks to the cedar. This is one of my favorite examples of how using wood in a highly urbanized environment can lead to more customers coming in the door.

5. A cedar rain screen elevates the exterior design of the Yale School of Art Gallery

From KieranTimberlake: The Gallery cleverly uses cedar siding to facilitate rainwater drainage

Award-winning firm KieranTimberlake was commissioned to work on the Yale School of Art Gallery, a project that demanded a careful attention to detail. One of the most inspired features is the cedar siding that acts as a rainscreen. According to the architects, “The cedar planks are beveled on the top and bottom edges to force water to drain to the outside, spaced 1/8″ apart for air circulation, allowing the cladding to expand when wet and dry evenly on both sides. This layered wall construction creates a lattice-like scrim at the entry and a pattern of parted planes at the corners of the building.”

This intersection of form and function demonstrates the flexibility that cedar can bring to a commercial project. It also proves that siding can be just as innovative as any other aspect of architecture. It’s always refreshing to see materials and elements being used in unconventional ways that help to further the art of design.

6. Granero Office Building offers another example of an innovative cedar rain screen

From Coates Design: Rich cedar siding works with lush plant life to create a biophilic environment

The use of cedar siding as a rain screen is gaining traction, and Granero Office Building on Washington’s Bainbridge Island is another great use case. Formerly a dilapidated barn, this small office is extremely eye-catching due to the cedar rain screen that covers the facade. The multi-toned wood reflects the verdant landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, anchoring the design and providing local context. It’s interesting to note that while both Granero Office Building and the Yale School of Art Gallery utilize cedar rain screens, they fulfill different aesthetic goals. The Gallery’s cedar screen is designed to reflect the gallery’s creative sensibility and adds a touch of biophilia to the building, while Granero’s connection to its immediate environment makes it feel organic and authentic.

7. Haywire’s striking cedar entrance makes a design statement

From TerraMai: Haywire uses reclaimed cedar siding for its branded entryway

As you’ve seen in many of these examples, many companies opt to create an attention-grabbing facade that immediately establishes their branding. New York-based marketing agency Haywire does just this with a cedar entryway that’s instantly noticeable. TerraMai’s reclaimed Western Red Cedar Siding is at work here, and it was the perfect match for Haywire’s brand. The cedar’s unique beauty and boldness echo Haywire’s ethos of commitment and success, and the logo emblazoned across the front completes the design.

8. Cedar siding can unify old and new structures

From KieranTimberlake: This middle school uses cedar siding to create visual unity

Additions to any built environment can sometimes result in a lack of unity throughout. KieranTimberlake found a way around this for Sidwell Friends Middle School by using cedar siding on the school’s extensions. This helps the newer parts of the school appear more natural and organic. This is a truly unique method of using cedar siding to accomplish a specific architectural purpose. It expands on the idea that a building should be a holistic experience for every occupant, and it’s executed brilliantly here.

Conclusion

Today’s architects and designers are leveraging cedar siding in ways that enhance projects and create innovation in the industry. It’s enlightening to look over these projects to see how architects and designers continue to find new and unique ways to integrate known, resilient and trustworthy materials into their work.

If you’re considering cedar for your next project, take a look at reclaimed Western Red Cedar siding. TerraMai’s Western Red Cedar is reclaimed from Vancouver Island, consisting of standing dead trees and found logs abandoned from forestry practices. Typically, this rejected wood is chipped into mulch. TerraMai works with partners to reclaim this discarded wood to transform it into truly useful and beautiful products. Naturally resistant to rot and insects, and a natural thermal insulator, cedar is a wonderful wood for commercial siding.

The hotel sector is dynamic and booming. And, with it, guests’ expectations are ever rising. It wasn’t too long ago that Westin’s Heavenly Bed propelled the industry to provide guests with an exceptional night’s sleep. Now, guests are demanding fresh and more imaginative elements to provide an exceptional experience. To do this, every hotel space must be well designed with care given to choose materials that enhance and support the guest experience. Hotels are employing biophilic design more and more as feeling good in the various hotel spaces is as important as looking great. Reclaimed wood can be one of the materials to elicit good feelings.

Why Use Reclaimed Wood in Hotels?

Reclaimed wood is eye-catching in appearance but also has numerous wellness benefits. Since contemporary hotels aim to be havens for both the body and mind, the use of reclaimed wood is ideal. The presence of wood in the built environment provides many physical and mental benefits from stress reduction to increased social interaction. These benefits span the range of hospitality situations, so whether you’re designing a soothing lounge area or renovating an event center, using reclaimed wood can make a space even better.

In addition, reclaimed wood contributes to the quality of a built environment as it relates to human wellness. Guests directly benefit from a hotel that has a high indoor environment quality (IEQ). Recently, hotels have been looking to biophilic design in order to improve IEQ and enhance guests’ well-being. Research shows that guests enjoy this connection to nature; Terrapin Bright Green found that 36% more hotel guests spend time in lobbies with biophilic elements. Their findings also suggested that biophilic designed rooms can support a higher room rate. Overall, when working to design an environment that bolsters wellness, the usage of green building materials like reclaimed wood is of utmost importance.

From Travelzoo: Using reclaimed wood in hotel rooms helps guests feel more positive

When hotels take initiative to be more environmentally friendly, using reclaimed wood will fit right into their branding. Many hotels work to be greener (and encourage their patrons to do so as well). Using sustainable products is a perfect complement to these efforts. They not only further encourage guests to be mindful but also reduce a hotel’s overall footprint since the sourcing of reclaimed wood is particularly energy efficient.

Last but not least, reclaimed wood can serve as a brand ambassador and communicate to the public how a hotel cares about its impact on the environment. Adding natural materials like reclaimed wood will augment steps taken to improve other indoor elements like air quality and exposure to natural light. Luckily, reclaimed wood is extremely versatile and can have a place in the rooms, cafés or outdoor lounges. Here are a few of my favorite use cases of reclaimed wood in hotels.

Using Reclaimed Wood in Hotel Rooms

When it comes to implementing reclaimed wood in hotel rooms, there are many possibilities. Guests indicate they want all the comforts of home but I would argue that guests want to feel as comfortable as they do when they are home so they can truly let down to focus on work or recoup from a day of travel. The presence of wood can allow for deeper rest or concentration depending on the circumstances. Reclaimed wood allows your brand aesthetic to really shine, but is also a tool to provide a more restful room conducive to sleep or to prep for the next day’s meetings. Reclaimed wood as flooring, paneling or tables can serve as an organic foundation that unifies a room.

From Condé Nast Traveler: Reclaimed wood ceilings at Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel lend a rustic, authentic mood to its rooms

When paired with a view, reclaimed wood can be especially powerful. According to Terrapin Bright Green, hotel rooms with a view of nature are priced 11%–18% higher than rooms that lack a view. Reclaimed wood that’s partnered with a view creates a compounding effect and enhances the biophilia of the room, making guests even happier and more relaxed. Even small implementations of wood can noticeably amplify the extent to which guests enjoy their rooms. Combine a view of nature, reclaimed wood, and other biophilic elements like plants, and you’ve got a winning combination on your hands.

Using Reclaimed Wood in Lounge Installations

A lounge provides one of the most visually stunning ways to use reclaimed wood in hotels. It works well in those seating areas that flow from the inside to the outside or, when design needs to take it to the next level, try placing reclaimed wood adjacent to a striking living wall.

From Wave Avenue: This outdoor lounge boasts a living wall with neighboring lush greenery and reclaimed wood

When used in lounge areas, reclaimed wood is often a prominent part of the space, which ensures that guests will be enjoying all of the positive effects that wood brings. It’s also especially advantageous when partnered with other natural elements, like plants or a fire feature. These elements help guests to feel more at ease and contribute to a tranquil atmosphere.

From Jetsetter: The Olive Boutique Hotel features beautiful reclaimed wood and an array of plants to help guests unwind

Using Reclaimed Wood in Hotel Lobbies

The lobby is the first space your guests will encounter, so it’s critical that it reflects the hotel’s brand and values. Lobby design has many effects on customer perception and satisfaction. I mentioned earlier that reclaimed wood can act as a brand ambassador, and that’s especially true when it comes to lobbies. Green building materials working hand in hand with branded design will create a stellar first impression. In addition, many guests will use the lobby as a place to meet, socialize, or do work, so design that takes those needs into consideration will show your guests that the hotel is passionate about catering to them.

From Condé Nast Traveler: Reclaimed wood in this lobby works with the industrial design to make a memorable first impression

Using Reclaimed Wood in Hotel Office Spaces

Guests aren’t going to see a hotel’s offices and workspaces, but worker well-being and productivity will benefit if the entire building is seamlessly designed. Workers will feel and perform better, and the hotel’s brand will be even more cohesive. Reclaimed wood can play an important part in improving employee productivity. On a larger scale, reclaimed wood can be part of your employee-first design. Consideration for workers’ physical and mental wellness is ideal for any kind of workspace.

From TerraMai: Using reclaimed wood in office spaces can boost productivity and employee mood

Using Reclaimed Wood in Hotel Restaurants

You’ve undoubtedly noticed the unique ambiance that reclaimed wood can instill in a space. That’s precisely why it’s a favorite choice for hotel restaurants. It suits a wide range of restaurant types from casual cafés to high-end eateries. In more relaxed or upscale restaurants, wood leverages its biophilic power to give a sense of restfulness, and in a lively more hip establishment, reclaimed wood brings a real authenticity to the setting.

From TerraMai: Plenty of dark wood in the Breslin, located inside Ace Hotel New York, gives the restaurant a spectacular old-meets-new atmosphere

Reclaimed wood isn’t just excellent for dining areas; it’s also right at home in a bar setting. Bar tops, stools, and tables that feature reclaimed wood will instantly win patrons over, encourage social interaction, and cultivate a welcoming environment. Many bars utilize darker woods to add the kind of warmth typically associated with high-end bar establishments.

Conclusion

The importance of biophilic design in hotels cannot be understated. This concentration on designing for health has been a staple in hotel spas for a while, but it’s just as crucial to implement wellness-first design in every room of a hotel. In addition to using ample light and greenery, reclaimed wood is an easy and effective method of creating spaces that prioritize human well-being. It adds a sense of comfort, flair, and delivers the unique, memorable, and personalized experience your guests are seeking.

Just like conference rooms and offices, lobbies play an important role in contributing to a positive work environment through design, and they also reflect your brand. I’m quite fascinated with how lobby design affects work performance and how concepts like experience design can be applied to lobbies. Here’s a closer look at lobby design and how it can contribute to not only productivity but also branding.

From Waiting Room to Common Area: The Evolution of the Lobby

First, it’s worth taking a look at the history of the lobby and how it’s changed over the years. Traditionally, lobbies only served as an entryway or waiting space. It wasn’t uncommon to see only a reception desk and sparse furniture. To that end, the lobby functioned similarly to a waiting room, providing a place for visitors to relax while waiting for an appointment or meeting. This type of lobby can still be found in some commercial buildings, but the old idea of the lobby is being phased out in favor of a new perspective: the lobby as a common area and statement.

From TerraMai: Amazon Seattle features a large and welcoming lobby with reclaimed teak and ample lighting

Many businesses have reimagined the lobby as a place for people to socialize, make plans, and prepare for the workday. As such, today’s lobbies are large and flexible. The same lobby can contain individual workspaces, group meeting areas, and even event spaces. As lobbies are seeing ever-increasing usage, it’s crucial to consider how they can influence work performance.

Lobbies and Work Performance

Lobbies are popular spots for doing work nowadays, sometimes even serving as impromptu offices. The Harvard Business Review spotlighted this phenomenon, citing that two-thirds of office work actually happens outside the office. Since today’s larger lobbies offer lots of seating options and other amenities, they’ve become ideal for employees to gather and work. This is typical of many successful corporations; as HBR noted, the first floor of Amazon Seattle (pictured above) is mostly coworking space. Some businesses, like the Ace Hotel in New York, openly advertise their lobbies as multi-purpose spaces. These installs suggest that it’s best to treat a lobby as a workspace and shared social space and design it accordingly.

From TerraMai: Like many lobbies today, AutoGravity’s lobby is a common coworking space

According to Perkins+WIll’s Tony Layne, collaborative, flexible workspaces are the future of office design. In a society where people are always connected (both to each other and the world) with technology, it makes complete sense to create similarly connected spaces with abundant access to technology. As Layne says, “the workplace needs to support our whole person—and not just be a place to ‘get work done,’ but a place that allows us to recharge, reflect, and renew.”

For a lobby to optimize employee wellness and productivity, it’s design needs to be humanistic, considering biological and mental needs. Biophilic design is one answer to this, as its thesis is that a connection to nature improves occupant wellness. Studies have shown that incorporating natural elements like daylight and ventilation creates a healthier workplace. In biophilic spaces, workers typically experience increased productivity, reduced stress, and better sleep. Even including a few biophilic elements such as plants and natural light exposure can dramatically boost work performance across the board.

From Merritt Properties: Maryland’s Aberdeen Corporate Park takes inspiration from biophilic design with warm wood paneling and plenty of plants

Elements like availability of food and beverage, Wi-Fi, and electrical outlets further improve a lobby and make it even more work-friendly. On top of all of this, the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has to be taken into consideration. As more employees take to the lobby to integrate work more fully into their lives (and lifestyles), it’s important that IEQ be closely monitored to provide occupants with an experience that prioritizes health and wellness.

Lobbies as Brand Ambassadors

Lobby design is vital not only for employee health and productivity but also branding. The lobby is one of the first things a visitor or new hire will see upon walking into a building, which means it can have an enormous impact on how people feel. With some simple enhancements, a lobby can transform into a brand ambassador that gives a remarkable first impression and communicates the company’s mission through its design.

From TerraMai: The lobby at Red Lobster’s headquarters reflects the company’s sophisticated yet casual branding through its design

There are countless opportunities to establish a robust brand in lobbies. Brand imagery (e.g., photographs and signage) can instantly connect visitors to a brand, and the decor and color palette should match the brand aesthetic. Visitors may not even be consciously aware of these aspects, but for consistent, seamless branding, these elements can have a huge impact. The lobby should be a natural extension of the building as a whole, and this can easily be accomplished by persistent branding.

From Smith Design Co.: DTZ’s lobby represents its brand, incorporating signage and contemporary furnishings

Experience Design in Lobbies

I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up the concept of experience design. Biophilic elements and branding are undoubtedly essential to create a remarkable lobby, but many designers are going to the next level with experience design. The basic idea is that by maximizing interaction in the built environment, occupants will feel more connected to the space and want to return to it. Proponents of experience design argue that the way a person reacts to an environment is largely emotional. For example, people don’t go out to an expensive restaurant to eat but rather to have a unique experience.

In the context of lobby design, experience design means constructing a space in which people feel thoroughly comfortable working and interacting. In addition to being “a place that allows us to recharge, reflect, and renew,” according to Layne, the lobby must be a space that visitors genuinely enjoy, and they need to have a novel experience that they can’t have anywhere else. Here, experience design ensures that when people arrive in a lobby, whether for work or play, they interact with the environment in a way that creates and sustains positive emotions. Advertising agency Droga5’s lobby does this elegantly with a floating conference room, sleek wooden paneling, and a simple yet stylish lounge area.

From Office Snapshots: Droga5’s lobby offers a unique experience with an eye-catching floating conference room

Conclusion

Lobbies harness large amounts of potential that can be used to improve employee performance and even evangelize your brand. The lobby sets the tone for occupants’ experience, so it’s absolutely critical to put the same amount of design effort into your lobby as you would an office space. Whether you instill a sense of biophilia with reclaimed wood or provide comfort with a relaxing lounge, you can easily create an impactful, work-friendly lobby that your visitors won’t soon forget.

Collaboration is one of the most powerful forces in the workplace. The pooling of skill sets and strengths can lead to improved problem solving, increased productivity, and more creativity. While overall collaboration time has increased by 50% over the last couple of decades, studies suggest that a collaboration-minded approach to workplace design could make that time even more beneficial. There are a number of methods to balance and nurture a collaborative culture, but I’m most interested in the idea of workplace design facilitating collaboration.

Optimizing a company’s workplace for collaboration can significantly strengthen its work culture (and its bottom line). It begs the question: Does the perfect collaboration space exist? The answer will be different for every business, but there are some crucial elements to include in a great collaboration space.

Facilitating Collaboration in the Built Environment

The ideal culture for collaboration comes from balancing individual and group work. That means workplace design has to prioritize both, which requires a thorough knowledge of an organization’s culture, work patterns, and work processes to determine the appropriate design for achieving proper space utilization. A designer needs to make the space reflect the values of the culture, and the physical layout is the foundation of that plan.

Individual workspaces are particularly important, as they help employees retain a sense of privacy and enhance task concentration. Additionally, workers should be able to seamlessly flow between solo and coworking spaces as needed. While it isn’t necessary to implement an open office design, it is important to allow for easy transitions between different kinds of spaces. Providing a variety of workspaces that allow workers to adapt to their day’s changing levels of engagement results in greater job satisfaction and group cohesiveness.

From Lazor/Office: Mono II in Minneapolis encourages worker flow between individual and group workspaces

When it comes to collaboration, flexibility and variety of seating are essential. Large desks and tables, adjustable chairs, and standing/sitting options all promote collaboration. Access to whiteboards, office supplies, food and drink, and technology is also vital so that workers have as many resources as possible at their disposal. Certification programs like the WELL Building Standard spotlight this; one WELL feature focuses on Adaptable Spaces, which calls for areas designated as quiet zones as well as collaboration zones. Both of these area types can be enclosable or semi-enclosable rooms, but the seating is more specific. A quiet zone should have 3 seats or fewer, while a collaboration zone should have 3 seats or more plus a visual vertical surface (like a whiteboard) for sharing ideas or work.

Open shared or social spaces should also be designed with collaboration in mind. These types of spaces promote informal meetings and can often jumpstart impromptu collaboration. In these shared work areas, individuals may choose to work so as to make themselves accessible to others, which can lead to productive group sessions. When designed for this sort of on-the-spot collaboration, shared spaces like lobbies, lounges, and kitchens can result in just as much collaboration as a dedicated collaboration space.

From Steelcase: A variety of seating options and easy access to resources encourage productive collaboration

No matter the space, designing for unplanned interaction can help promote worker connectivity and foster a collaborative environment. Perhaps the most famous example of this is the clever design of the Pixar campus. Under Steve Jobs’s command, the only bathroom was located in the center of the facility. As a result, employees would bump into each other, strike up conversation, and birth new ideas. The bathroom served as an anchor space to bring people together and stimulate interactions. It’s a simple concept to implement into building design, yet its impact on relationship building is immense. Many top performing businesses use anchor spaces in their design, including Google––its NYC campus ensures that no part of the office is more than 150 feet from food so that workers can “casually collide.”

From ArchDaily: Creating spaces where people can casually interact is crucial for productive collaboration

This concept applies to multi-level office spaces as well. Perkins+Will Senior Interior Designer Sarah Stanford recommends placing stairs centrally and creating anchor spaces on different levels so that workers naturally end up moving throughout the building. When flow is maximized, collaboration is encouraged, and that’s true in any office setting, whether it’s three rooms or three floors.

Biophilic Design: A Collaborative Catalyst

In order to be great for collaboration, a built environment needs to include the right indoor elements. In general, indoor elements need to enhance occupant health; in an office, this ensures that employees are performing and feeling their best. The individual materials selected can have a noticeable effect on employee wellness and happiness, which can in turn affect collaboration. To provide the best indoor experience, many designers are taking a biophilic design approach. Both the WELL Building Standard and Living Building Challenge certification programs use biophilia to drive design. Each certification program requires that the team view the design from a biophilic perspective by considering how occupants can engage in the space in a manner that incorporates nature.

Incorporating sustainable design is also important; workspaces that are sustainably designed have been shown to improve productivity. In actual practice, implementing biophilic and sustainable design in the office involves using natural materials, balancing indoor elements, and creating organic, flexible spaces. Here’s what that looks like.

Using Natural Materials to Foster Harmony

From TerraMai: Reclaimed wood and copious lighting encourage collaboration at Jet.com’s Hoboken office

In their report “14 Patterns of Biophilic Design,” Terrapin Bright Green identified the key tenets of biophilic design and how they belong in the built environment. Many of these patterns can be incorporated using natural elements and materials such as reclaimed wood, cork, and greenery. Wood is a particularly beneficial material when it comes to collaboration. A report by Planet Ark cited several studies in which wood was noted to increase social interaction. Your office doesn’t have to get a complete overhaul, though; even a little wood can go a long way. Strategic placement of rustic or reclaimed wood in a collaborative space (i.e., wood placed as a focal point) can positively impact how employees interact.

From Terramai: Simply placing a small, eye-catching wooden installation near a conference room can improve collaboration

The Indoor Elements You Need to Consider for Collaboration

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) reflects the health of a space. Good IEQ comes from not only using the right building materials but also monitoring and optimizing various indoor elements. IEQ factors include air quality, levels of chemical and pollutant exposure, building dampness, and overall cleanliness. Biophilic design can target some of these factors, namely air quality and levels of chemical exposure.

Integrating plants and other greenery into the workplace is an easy and effective method of improving air quality and boosting workers’ moods. Employees perform better with plants around; productivity goes up by about 15 percent on average. This means plants also work wonders for collaboration, as they contribute to group productivity and interaction as well as solo work. Many businesses are going above and beyond to include plants in the workplace, with some opting for living walls that simultaneously create a striking visual focus and transform any space into a biophilic retreat. It’s also worthwhile to think about including other natural systems and elements in the workplace, such as water (e.g., fountains, small waterfalls) and fire (e.g., fireplaces). Such inclusions can create ideal collaborative spaces that benefit the physical and mental health of everyone who uses it.

From GSky: Featuring reclaimed wood and a living wall, Cannondale’s office is resplendent with biophilic design

Exposure to natural light is another vital aspect to consider, as collaboration happens best in well-lit biophilic spaces. Studies have repeatedly shown that employees who receive more daylight live, work, and sleep better. The specific amount and duration of light exposure is important here, as too much light can actually cause mood to decline. Matching both natural and artificial light with human circadian rhythms is widely accepted as the best and healthiest method of daylighting. This technique allows workers to follow their natural peaks of energy and get more out of those high points, making collaboration (and work in general) more effective. Windows and skylights are straightforward choices for daylighting, and it’s even better if a window looks out on a view of nature, as that appeals to biophilia even more. Careful attention to daylighting can dramatically improve collaboration.

From Snøhetta: Adding natural light, even in a crowded urban neighborhood like Slack’s NoHo office (NYC), is an enhancement to collaboration.

The Future of Collaboration

The amount of collaboration in the workplace is at an all-time high, and to get the most out of it, workers need spaces that are designed specifically for working together. Generating new ideas and innovating is much easier when in a biophilic, human-first environment. Current collaboration spaces can be reinvigorated by providing a variety of seating options or including more reclaimed wood. By using natural materials, controlling indoor elements, and considering collaboration in design, you can create the perfect collaboration space for your company.

A few weeks ago, a colleague brought an article, “Dad Style”, from the Wall Street Journal to my attention. Well written as expected of WSJ but what was so surprising is its correlation to reclaimed wood. As disparate as the worlds of dad style and reclaimed wood may seem, there’s a surprising amount of connection between the architecture world and dad culture. What was once outdated is now back in vogue, and as a result, dad culture has been one of the most interesting cultural phenomena of the last few years. Nowadays, it’s common to see men wearing loafers and windbreakers that look as if they came straight out of 1996.

The Birth of “Dad Style”

First, it’s crucial to understand the origins and intentions of dad style. It emerged out of another trend known as normcore, which was categorized by bland, simple anti-fashion attire. The movement started off not as a fashion trend, but rather a social reaction to the rise of individualism that had long characterized popular culture. Normcore was all about going back to basics and opting for a more dependable style.

From the Wall Street Journal: Dad style showcases fatherly fashion with basic, reliable wardrobe choices

Dad style takes the normcore concept one step further. With its “function over fashion” attitude, dad style is reliable and lasting, and the young people who embrace the style often do so to find an anchor to adulthood and stability. Millennials around the world are finding solace in the staying power of dad style, and that desire for permanence isn’t just limited to fashion.

As it turns out, dad style has a lot to say about architecture. Striving for durability and timelessness is often a priority during the planning process. This priority is a matter of both aesthetics and practicality. A building that stands the test of time has broad aesthetic appeal while buildings or interior spaces designed solely with the latest trends in mind will need a redesign in a matter of years. As Ohio State University design professor Rebekah Matheny noted in a paper for PLATE, this lack of longevity reduces sustainability and adds more waste to an already wasteful industry.

Dad Style in Building Design

This raises the question––what does it mean for a building to have “dad style” timelessness? As BUILD points out, there are several key aspects to architectural timelessness: permanence, adaptability, natural connection, and weathering, to name a few. To achieve these criteria, builders have to think about not only the actual design but the materials they use.

From GB&D: Reclaimed wood bring timeless “dad style” to even the trendiest of spaces

This is where the connection to reclaimed wood comes in. In many ways, reclaimed wood is a “dad material.” Able to withstand fleeting trends, reclaimed wood complements any environment and provides an element of nature. Wood is also a warm contrast to many contemporary design trends like science fiction-inspired skylines and floating event spaces. Wood is inherently organic and rustic, so even when used alongside more modern materials, it creates a sense of connection to the earth.

From TerraMai: Rustic wood paneling in the Jet.com adds elements of biophilic design to this workspace

Just like dad style, reclaimed wood is tried and true. It adds personality and comfort to a space without being pretentious or contrived. It also meets all of the criteria for timelessness. To quote the article, “ Dad style feels like a functionality play along with some nostalgia”. Reclaimed wood can conjure that same sentiment. Functional but it tugs at emotion too. Each piece of reclaimed wood bears its own history and displays signs of its past life. From reused barn wood to Naturally Distressed Teak, reclaimed wood is particularly distinct, much like pulling out a trusted old pair of Levis or khakis only to discover how useful and perfect they are.

From TerraMai: Reclaimed skip planed red oak is a particularly eye-catching reclaimed wood material

Reclaimed wood and wabi-sabi

While dad style is new, its concept is not. The WSJ article connects Dad Style to Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese term referencing beauty in the imperfections. This Eastern perspective finds beauty in brokenness, embracing flaws and focusing more on humility than extravagance. WSJ states it as being yourself and not worrying about looking model perfect. Clothing styles come and go and it can be tiring to keep up. TerraMai recycles wood back into the design world with an emphasis on its story. Think of it as a design material with lasting fit, quality and connection. In contrast to clinically clean spaces, buildings that focus on wabi-sabi philosophy are vibrant and full of life.

From TerraMai: This weathered wood installation at Google Quad Campus pairs wabi-sabi philosophy with clean, open design

Reclaimed wood, with its markings and imperfections, is a material that wholeheartedly aligns with wabi-sabi. Reclaimed wood is visually intriguing, and since no two pieces are alike, it carries with it a large amount of aesthetic variation. Many designers will place a spotlight on the imperfection of reclaimed wood; the popularity of Mission Oak is one example of wabi-sabi in action.

From TerraMai: This Mission Oak flooring with its occasional nail and fastener holes prefilled with black epoxy brings a bit of wabi-sabi into this retail environment.

Conclusion

Just like your dad’s closet of old treasures, installing reclaimed wood can feel like reconnecting with a life-long friend. It can roll with the times and not feel overdone or like it’s trying too hard. Reclaimed wood embodies the ethos of both dad style and wabi-sabi and creates timelessness wherever it’s used.

It’s easy to think that green building materials are only used in small quantities or for unique non-structural purposes. But that’s not the case. Green building materials are being used in ultra-modern office buildings with great sustainable and aesthetic effect. Green building materials are good for the environment and beautiful.

I catalogued some ultra-modern buildings that use reclaimed wood, cross-laminated timber, and recycled steel.

Reclaimed Wood

From TerraMai: The Amazon Seattle headquarters uses reclaimed wood.

Amazon, Hulu, HBO and Google all use reclaimed wood in their offices.

From gb&d Magazine: The Google office in Chicago uses natural light, an open floor plan, and reclaimed wood.

The ultra-modern design is so often perceived to be all white or steel, but adding in natural elements can make the design even more beautiful as well create a better environment for employees. Natural elements help employees to be happier, healthier, and more efficient.

Cross and Nail Laminated Timber

From StructureCraft: The T3 building in Minneapolis is a mixed-use office and retail space built entirely of NLT. The 10-storey, 180,000 square-foot building took just 9.5 weeks to erect.

Cross or nail laminated timber are ways to sustainably use new or reclaimed wood in a more environmentally friendly way. The process requires timber beams to be glued and or nailed together to create stronger, more durable materials.

From cb&d magazine: The world’s largest building constructed of CLT.

Another bonus of CLT or NLT use is construction times are faster as most of the materials are pre-fabricated. This also lowers noise and dust at the construction site making it healthier for construction workers and less taxing on the surrounding community.

Recycled Steel

From Stearns:  A LEED-certified office headquarters in Seattle, WA constructed from recycled steel

According to data from the Steel Recycling Institute, using recycled steel is more sustainable for the environment. While a 2,000 square foot house requires 40 or 50 trees to build, the frame could be constructed using steel from just six scrapped cars.

Steel is recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED as a sustainable building product for its ability to be recycled and recovered after use. Steel is also environmentally friendly in that it doesn’t release VOCs.

The sustainable and aesthetic qualities make green building materials great for use in ultra-modern office buildings and design. Keep an eye out for some new cutting-edge building materials such as mycelium, ferrock, Ashcrete, self-healing concrete, and structural 3D printing.

Do you relish the extraordinary feeling of sunlight hitting your skin when you walk outside after being indoors for an extended period of time? Nature, sunlight, clean air, and temperature all have an effect on human emotions and worker productivity.

From michellescotto.com: A traditional office space combined with sustainable, green elements.

Study after study has found this to be true, but honestly, all you need is the feeling of the sun on your skin to know this is the case. Research on employees who work inside sustainably designed, green-certified building has found that workers are happier, healthier, and more productive.

These are the qualities of sustainable design that research has found to increase worker productivity.

Improved Air Quality

A surprising revelation of indoor air quality research is that indoor air often contains more VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds and therefore has a lower air quality than outdoor air. Levels of VOCs indoors have been found to be up to ten times higher than outdoors by the EPA.

One of the solutions to improving indoor air quality is an air purifier, but also to make buildings less air tight. An important aspect of sustainable design is that polluted indoor air can escape outside and cleaner outdoor air can get inside. Avoiding chemicals, products that off-gas VOCs such as carpet glues and plastics, and adding more plants can all improve indoor air quality.

As people breathe, they exhale CO2 which makes indoor air stale. Higher levels of CO2 than oxygen can make workers feel tired and make it more difficult to concentrate. One of the simplest solutions to high levels of CO2 is to add more greenery, which we’ll explore in depth later on.

Increased Air Flow

By increasing ventilation from 20 cubic feet per minute of outdoor air to 40 CBM, productivity per employee increases by $6,500. Simply by increasing the ventilation of outdoor air into your office, you can increase employee productivity and bring in more profit for your company.

From HorizonsOffices: One Airport Square in Accra, Ghana, designed by the sustainability architect Mario Cucinella, has windows that open, in contrast to many traditional offices.

The cost of this increased ventilation pales in comparison to the increased productivity per employee. With an average system, the cost of this increased ventilation is between $14 and $40 per employee, per year. With an energy efficient system, that annual cost per employee goes down to a range of $1 to $18.

Lowered Humidity

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers or ASHRAE has defined thermal comfort levels for office workers. They found that lower humidity levels are more comfortable for workers.

New research has found that in addition to being more comfortable, lower humidity helps workers to be more productive. Researchers found that people within the comfort zones as defined by ASHRAE performed 5% better on cognitive tests than those outside the comfort zone.

High levels of humidity also play a role in structural integrity as well is indoor air quality. As materials break down, they release chemicals and toxins into the air. Lower humidity levels can decrease this.

Heightened Natural Light

From TerraMai: The Chicago office of Perkins+Will offers employees natural light.

Research has found increased cognitive function scores and fewer health symptoms in green-certified buildings. One of the qualities these buildings have over traditionally designed buildings is more natural light.

What’s so amazing about adding natural light to a building is the cyclical improvements workers see. More natural light improves sleep. Better sleep improves workers productivity and cognitive test scores. This was especially true in the niche test for crisis response. In green-certified buildings, employees cognitive function in crisis response improved 73%.

Added Greenery

From Foliage Design Systems: A green wall adds color and oxygen to an office environment.

If you’re looking for an easy and cost-effective strategy for increasing worker productivity, this is the one. Bringing plant life inside has numerous added benefits. Plants help to increase oxygen levels, reduce humidity, and bring workers closer to nature. All three of these benefits have been shown to uniquely increase productivity.

It’s not just offices and workers who stand to benefit. Sustainable environments improve the quality of life for everyone who inhabits them — an author working on her novel, a senior citizen enjoying a board game, a child in a nursery. Sustainable design is a good idea, regardless of the specific context.

A study from University of Queensland in Australia found that adding plant life to the office increased worker productivity by 15%. Adding natural elements is so simple.

To see improvements, you don’t even have to bring the plants inside. A case study from World Green Building Council’s book, Building the Business Case: Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in Green Offices found that the Saint-Gobain’s call center has a 97% increase in sales-generated leads and 101% increase in leads per call because their new office space has 92% of offices with outdoor views and 1.3 miles of walking trails.

From World Green Building Council: The features that make offices greener.

Increased productivity is just one of the many benefits of a sustainably designed workplace.