Space reconfiguration, renovation, and construction

Follow these sustainable strategies for space reconfiguration, renovation, and construction projects. Consider commercial building certification systems and other sustainable federal building requirements.

Planning and getting started

Define the key sustainable strategies for the project early
Gather a team of creative, dedicated professionals who spur new ideas and ensure a collaborative, integrative design process
Engage occupants and other stakeholders during the design process to address their needs
Detail sustainable strategies, materials, and practices in the construction documents and specifications
Choose a green building, if relocating, with sustainable site attributes such as mass transit, services and amenities for occupants, and a property management company using sustainable practices
Phase work, when renovating in place, to minimize potential for cross contamination between occupied and construction areas

Design for modularity and flexibility

Limit permanent walls to functional areas such as restrooms, storage, or data rooms and place them in the core of the building
Consider movable walls for easy reconfiguration and reduction of construction waste
Plan space layout to accommodate the interchangeability of private offices, conference rooms, teaming spaces, and open office space
Provide furniture, including in conference rooms and shared space, that can be easily adjusted, reconfigured and modified

For building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, acoustic systems), refer to building systems upgrades.

Construction

Follow federal environmental and energy guidelines for product and service purchases
Test for hazardous materials and appropriately handle hazardous materials removal
Divert construction waste from landfills and facilitate the recycling of construction waste through the standardization of processes

Protect indoor environmental quality

Separate areas of contamination from clean or finished areas of work and provide temporary lighting barriers to limit the impact of construction
Protect materials stored on site from moisture and animal infiltrations by establishing dry, secure storage both inside the building and out
Implement dust and contaminant control measures, including high-efficiency vacuum filtration and a high frequency of cleaning and dust removal during construction
Protect all ductwork and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment during construction from pollutants and dust infiltration
Ventilate with 100% of outside air when temperature and humidity allow, especially when volatile organic compounds-containing materials are being installed
Replace filtration media in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems when construction is complete with the highest appropriate minimum efficiency reporting value filters to maintain clean indoor air

Structure or envelope

Include commissioning of the building envelope in the commissioning plan to identify areas of concern such as air and water infiltration

Optimize energy performance

Use energy modeling/simulation tools to account for building orientation, solar exposure, climate conditions and building envelope performance when considering building materials and exterior glazing
Implement passive daylighting strategies such as exterior shades, overhangs, vertical fins and light shelves to allow daylight to penetrate into the building floor plate while controlling glare and heat gain
Install high R-value insulation for walls and other opaque elements of the building envelope and ensure a continuous and sealed thermal and air barrier
Consider building integrated photovoltaic panels and/or solar shading system as a way of generating on-site, renewable energy
Consider light sensors to control perimeter lighting levels when adequate daylight is available to reduce power and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning loads

Roofing

Optimize energy performance:
- Install a high reflectance roof, also known as a high albedo, white, or cool roof, made of light-colored materials that reflect sunlight and heat away from the building
- Select ENERGY STAR certified roof products
- Consider a planted roof, which uses plants as a technology to provide insulation, absorb heat and water, and serve as a garden
- Consider photovoltaic panels that convert light from the sun into usable direct current
- Consider solar hot water heating to meet hot water demand, if lifecycle cost-effective

Windows and fenestration

Follow federal environmental and energy guidelines for product and service purchases
Maximize access to daylight and views
- Implement passive daylighting strategies such as light shelves and light color finishes to reflect light while avoiding the negative effects of glare
Optimize energy performance:
- Select durable, efficient window frames that can withstand exposure to exterior elements and reduce thermal bridging
- Select double or triple glazed windows with high Visible Light Transmittance that allows light penetration, while achieving the desired efficiency through a low U-Factor and a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
- Consider low emissivity and spectrally selective films/coatings to prevent heat and ultraviolet light from passing through the glass

Materials and finishes selection

Follow federal environmental and energy guidelines for product and service purchases
Select products and materials having environmentally preferable attributes as certified by a third party, and locally sourced where possible
Consider reusing durable elements and materials when renovating spaces
Select local materials and artifacts to create a workplace grounded in the regional ecology and community
Minimize waste — Consider products, such as carpet and acoustical ceiling tile, from manufacturers with Extended Producer Responsibility, or take-back, programs
Maximize access to daylight — Select products and materials with high surface reflectance for walls and ceilings to diffuse daylight throughout the space

Protect indoor environmental quality

Phase construction so that absorptive materials, such as carpet and acoustical ceiling tile, are installed after an off-gassing period when wet finishes, such as paint, have dried and solvents have cured
Use salvaged or reused materials that no longer emit volatile organic compounds
Use inherently non-emitting materials (those that contain no organic chemical binders, surface coatings, or sealants)
Consider products and materials, and/or installation methods, that do not require adhesives
Use paints and coatings that meet the California Air Resource Board Suggested Control Measure for Architectural Coatings
Use adhesives and sealants that meet South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168
Use cleaning chemicals and solutions having environmentally preferable attributes as certified by a third party

Flooring system

Select durable, water-resistant, and easily cleanable flooring materials in areas with water use
Design for modularity and flexibility:
- Consider a raised access floor with under floor air distribution to enable user control of ventilation and increase flexibility for future space reconfiguration
- Consider modular flooring products, such as carpet tile and resilient floor tile, as opposed to sheet goods, to enable targeted replacement in high traffic areas and reduction of waste when reconfiguring space
Protect indoor environmental quality:
- Install entryway systems with recessed grates and/or ‘walk-off’ mats to prevent dirt and debris from entering the space
- Consider pre-finished non-carpet products to reduce off-gassing on site
Manage sound to increase comfort and worker productivity:
- Select sound absorbing materials, such as carpet, to dampen sound in open office areas, as well as to ensure speech intelligibility in conference rooms and speech privacy in offices

Carpet (broadloom and modular carpet tile) and carpet cushion

Protect indoor environmental quality:
- Select Green Label Plus products certified as low-emitting by the Carpet and Rug Institute
- Maximize product and material longevity:
  - Dry vacuum regularly and follow with a wet vacuum water extraction machine to protect indoor air quality
  - Prevent stains by cleaning up spills promptly, starting with cold water and blotting cloths

Wall system

Design for modularity and flexibility:
- Limit permanent walls to functional and support areas such as restrooms, storage, or data rooms and place them in the core of the building
- Consider movable walls for easy reconfiguration and reduction of construction waste
Maximize access to daylight and views:
- Select products and materials with high surface reflectance to diffuse daylight throughout the space
- Design interior walls and doors with clerestories and glazing
Protect indoor environmental quality:
- Specify vapor-permeable wall-covering products to avoid mold growth and indoor air quality problems
Manage sound to increase comfort and worker productivity:
- Minimize the transmission of sound from conference rooms and private offices with high sound transmission coefficient and noise isolation class rated walls

Ceiling system

Minimize waste
- Consider leaving ceilings unfinished in unoccupied spaces
- Consider products, such as acoustical ceiling tile, from manufacturers with Extended Producer Responsibility, or take-back, programs
Maximize access to daylight:
- Select products and materials with high surface reflectance to diffuse daylight throughout the space
Protect indoor environmental quality:
- Select acoustical ceiling tile products having environmentally preferable attributes as certified by a third party
Manage sound to increase comfort and worker productivity:
- Select acoustical ceiling tiles with a high noise reduction coefficient to dampen sound in open office areas, as well as to ensure speech intelligibility in conference rooms and speech privacy in offices

Interior door system

Reuse doors whenever possible
Manage sound to increase comfort and worker productivity:
- Minimize the transmission of sound from conference rooms and private offices with high STD rated solid core wood doors

Interior glazing

Maximize access to daylight and views:
- Design interior walls and doors with clerestories and glazing

Carpentry and woodwork

Minimize waste:
- Consider standard sizes to minimize cost and enable future reuse
- Use salvaged or reused materials wherever possible
Protect indoor environmental quality:
- Select composite wood products certified as ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde or no added formaldehyde resins under EPA Toxic Substances Control Act, Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products (EPA TSCA Title VI) or California Air Resources Board Airborne Toxic Control Measure
- Consider countertop materials that do not need to be sealed regularly

Trim products

Select durable wall base products and materials that reduce wear and tear on wall surfaces
Consider wall panels, chair rails and corner guards in high traffic spaces to reduce wear and tear on wall surfaces

Paints and coatings

Maximize access to daylight:
- Select light colored paint with high surface reflectance to diffuse daylight throughout the space
Protect indoor environmental quality:
- Select paints and coatings that meet the California Air Resource Board Suggested Control Measure for Architectural Coatings
- Select adhesives and sealants that meet South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168
- Select light colored paint to avoid the volatile organic compounds that are often added when tinting paint
- Schedule painting work after hours when renovating occupied space
- Phase construction so that painting is complete before absorptive materials, like carpet and acoustical ceiling tiles, are installed

Occupant health and wellness

Provide indoor plants to enhance the visual appeal of the space and promote health

Promote physical activity

Provide an exercise room or access to a workout facility
Encourage use of stairwells through wayfinding and motivational signs
Enhance the appeal of exercise rooms and stairwells using design features such as a music system, creative lighting, temperature conditioning, bright colors, or artwork

Design for psychological wellbeing

Provide a mix of work zones, as well as adjustable, reconfigurable furniture, to accommodate a variety of tasks and functions, including both concentration and collaboration activities, as well as conversations demanding privacy
Provide access to outdoor space amenities, such as outdoor seating, outdoor fitness areas, gardens or greenspace, walking trails, or water features
Provide a break area that supports social interaction and encourages employees to step away from their desks during the workday
Provide space for respite, relaxation, meditation, and health programs

Design workspaces to minimize stress and strain on the body

Provide active workstations with adjustable height work surfaces
Provide task chairs with adjustments for seat and back tension; seat height, depth, and tilt; and arm height (separate from seat height)
Ensure all computer equipment components are adjustable

Space reconfiguration, renovation, and construction

Planning and getting started

Design for modularity and flexibility

Construction

Protect indoor environmental quality

Structure or envelope

Optimize energy performance

Roofing

Windows and fenestration

Materials and finishes selection

Protect indoor environmental quality

Flooring system

Carpet (broadloom and modular carpet tile) and carpet cushion

Wall system

Ceiling system

Interior door system

Interior glazing

Carpentry and woodwork

Trim products

Paints and coatings

Occupant health and wellness

Promote physical activity

Design for psychological wellbeing

Design workspaces to minimize stress and strain on the body

References and resources

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