With its unstable temperate oceanic climate, Melbourne experiences temperature extremes across the year. Therefore, the architecture and the interiors of a building must be carefully planned to accommodate the changing weather. A shining example is the Melbourne Council House 2 (CH2), where the techniques used to save energy and improve worker satisfaction.
Read on to find out what designs and office furniture in melbourne you can incorporate into your bureau to make it a sustainable and comfortable space for all the workers.
Natural Cooling:
Melbourne summers are getting increasingly hotter, with the highest recorded temperature being 46.4 degrees Celsius in February 2009. The CH2 combats this with natural cooling.
Although made of concrete, the CH2’s ceilings are undulating – allowing for (a) greater surface area for thermal exchange and (b) cool air pockets to linger in the recesses. Additionally, all the windows of the building can be opened. The users leave the windows open at night to allow cool draughts to circulate through the space and cool the exposed concrete. This simple trick saves the building about 20% in energy expenses per annum.
In summers, you could experiment with open windows to allow your office to cool overnight.
Natural Lighting:
If you notice the position of the CH2 site, you see that it does not allow for an open structure. However, the designers installed ingenious “light shelves” to capture all the natural light that falls on the building. Additionally, wooden louvres on the Western facade allow the inhabitants to control how much light and heat flow into the building, even on the most overcast of days.
The choice and layout of office furniture in the melbourne CH2 complement its lighting. Indoor furniture does not obstruct the flow of light from the large windows. They are made of material that reflects most of the light, thus allowing the users to work comfortably in the available natural light.
On a similar note, you could check which facade of your office building is most suited for light shelves. Further, you can install light shafts and vaulted ceilings when constructing the office anew. Your choice of paint and colour can also help reflect light, reducing the need for electric lighting.
Water Conservation:
Melbourne receives as much as 650mm of rainfall over the year, making it one of the wetter cities of Australia. The CH2 exploits this with its rainwater harvesting system. Harvested rain and treated sewage waters are used to maintain a healthy green space within the building premise. The western terrace turns into a seasonal garden every summer and winter with the help of self-watering planters. Sometimes, excess water is used to feed the trees of Little Collins Street.
Workers exposed to greenery at the office report higher well-being and are about 6% more productive. So, consider recycling water to maintain a natural garden in the terrace or balconies of your building. Use local, seasonal plants to provide your workers with an uplifting green space throughout the year.
The Indoor Environment:
A thoughtfully designed workspace ensures that the building’s most valuable resources – its people are comfortable and can work productively. The CH2 uses materials that don’t emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The paints, upholstery, carpets, and woodwork are all carefully chosen to be as toxin-free as possible.
Likewise, you can equip your office with furniture and material that adhere to the Safe Work standards to ensure a healthy environment for your employees.
In Conclusion
Though seen as a city with inclement weather on most days, Melbourne allows for a comfortable and efficient work area. The CH2 exemplifies it in the architecture, functionality, and layout of spaces. You, too, can achieve an optimal workspace with some thoughtful changes in the architecture and layout of your office.
“Author Name : Mary Kate“
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