More Than Money: Profit From Healthy Buildings

In today’s workplace, both human health and sustainability are key factors for numerous reasons, according to Hillhouse Construction founder Ken Huesby. They respect both the environment as a whole and the people living and working in these buildings. Ken Huesby’s “design-build” approach considers indoor air quality, daylight harvesting (natural light), energy efficiency, thermal comfort, waste and water management, and eco-friendly building materials. Ken says the younger workforce is keenly aware of doing the right thing when it comes to sustainability; employers/building owners, in the race to attract and hire them, are equally concerned. He adds that there is a lot of soft data out there substantiating how health and wellness in the built environment affects employees; the unofficial conclusion seems to be that a healthy building makes for a more focused, creative and productive workforce. Exhibit A: 415 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale; at 33k SF, it’s a 1970s racquetball building that has been converted to a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) office space. That means that it can generate as much (or more) energy through renewable sources than it consumes, or can simply be self-sustaining, producing enough energy to run on its own. The California Energy Commission contributed $1.5M to the project, viewing it as a model strategy for outmoded buildings. For more information on our Bisnow partner, click here.