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Learn & Plan Topics

Comfort

Comfortable workers are more likely to be productive and engaged with their work than those who struggle to work in spaces that create barriers and stresses. With ever increasing needs to be mindful of the environment when designing spaces, GSA is developing practices that support both sustainability and worker comfort.
Space Reconfiguration and Renovation Projects

As needs change over time, tenants often need to convert space or phase the conversion of individual space or rooms to meet these changing needs.
Building Systems Upgrades

The following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as your space undergoes a building system upgrade to improve energy, water use and occupant comfort. Refer to the Share Section for a representative project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.
Sustainable Building Operations and Maintenance Services

Follow these sustainable strategies as your space renovations are complete and the building and interiors are operated in an environmentally sustainable manner. Operations staff should endeavor to establish best practices in energy efficiency, resource conservation, ecologically sensitive products, and other sustainable practices, and implement them.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside a building. It does not refer to the air quality alone, but the entire environmental quality of a space, which includes air quality, access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort.
Sustainable Sites

Choosing a building's site and managing that site during construction are important considerations for a project’s sustainability. Environmentally responsible site selection discourages development of previously undeveloped land; minimizes a building's impact on ecosystems and waterways; encourages regionally appropriate landscaping; rewards smart transportation choices; and controls stormwater runoff. Additionally, appropriate site management can reduce erosion, light pollution, the heat island effect and construction-related pollution. Buildings can be placed in various locations; project teams should choose the environmentally preferred option and follow up with responsible stewardship of the site.
Planning to Build Green

Sustainability "means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations." Executive Order 13514
Energy & Atmosphere

Buildings and facilities rely on the operation of mechanical systems and electrical systems to maintain a comfortable indoor environmental quality for occupants. Building operations consume approximately 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced annually in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Greenhouse gases are generated and released throughout the life cycle of producing and consuming fossil fuel energy. These greenhouse gases directly contribute to air pollution and climate change. Therefore, atmospheric problems can be reduced by increasing the efficiency with which energy is used‚ optimizing the use of natural energy resources‚ and understanding the effects of energy technologies on the atmosphere.
Flexibility

Today's workplaces are often in flux. As organizations change direction or develop new services, people also move. Teams form and re-form. People move to new spaces and take on new responsibilities. The spaces themselves are transformed to meet new needs. These changes are much easier to accommodate, with less stress on people and the organization, when the workplace is designed to support flexibility.
Health

Good health has both physical and psychological components. Being healthy means the absence of disease and illness, as well as feeling positive about life and work. The workplace can play a role in the health of workers by eliminating risks and creating conditions that support cognitive, emotional, and social well being.
Under 10,000 SF Interiors Gut Rehab Project

Following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as the space has or will undergo a major tenant gut rehab for projects under 10,000 SF. Note to use a current version of LEED for Commercial Interiors for tenant improvement projects over 10,000 SF. Refer to the Share Section for a represented project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.
Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement

Daily wear and tear means that materials, furniture and furnishings require periodic replacement.
Best Practices Applicable to All Project Types

This section presents key issues that should be considered for each project type. It is intended to help you think about your overall project, before you begin to compare and select specific materials. This will enable you to select the "best" strategies and materials for your project, given the opportunities and constraints you have identified. Use the sidebar to navigate to your specific project type.
Keys to Success

Sustainable design, construction, operation, and renovation are best thought of as an integrated process, rather than a collection of things. The process involves new ways of designing, constructing and operating our buildings and facilities.
Plan Section Guidance

For each project there is a selection of issues and questions you should consider before selecting specific materials or products. This will help you and your team address the most critical sustainability concerns and opportunities for that project type; look for synergies and mitigate unintended consequences. There are ways to improve even the simplest projects, such as repainting or re-carpeting.
Sense of Place

What makes a workplace special? What fosters a sense of attachment, engagement and identity? These are the kinds of questions that underlie the sense of place. The workplace is increasingly seen as a “brand” that conveys not only a place, but also the mission and values of the organization. The GSA workplace program combines branding and sense of place with sustainable approaches to create special places imbued with meaning and purpose.

Whole Building Analysis

Materials

Occupant Sensor

Occupant controls use sensors to determine when there are people in a given space. The lights turn on when motion or heat is detected in the space and they turn off based on a set amount of time in the absence of heat or motion.
Daylight Controls

Daylight controls measure the amount of daylight/ambient light in a room and adjust the electric light levels accordingly. Daylight controls should be designed with multiple zones to reflect the differing levels of ambient light entering a space. In areas closest to the window where there is a great deal of daylight in the space, the controls dim the electric light levels; and in areas farther away from the window with lower levels of daylight, the controls increase the amount of electric light in the space.
Daylight Controls

Daylight controls measure the amount of daylight/ambient light in a room and adjust the electric light levels accordingly. Daylight controls should be designed with multiple zones to reflect the differing levels of ambient light entering a space. In areas closest to the window where there is a great deal of daylight in the space, the controls dim the electric light levels; and in areas farther away from the window with lower levels of daylight, the controls increase the amount of electric light in the space.
Thermostat

A thermostat is a component of the HVAC controls system. Detection and communication of the space temperature is a critical component of overall HVAC controls. Most new thermostat controls are DDC. Older pneumatic systems can be upgraded to DDC for better control. Zone control is critical.
Toilet / Shower Accessories

Toilet and shower accessories include soap dispensers, soap dishes, hand dryers, paper towel dispensers, trash cans, etc. These items may contain recycled content if they are made of metal or plastic. Hand dryers allow for drying without using paper products which reduces waste. Although automated paper towel dispensers typically use non-rechargeable batteries, they can also reduce waste by controlling the amount of paper dispensed.
Sound Masking

Electronic sound masking systems can be installed in office areas. A sound masking system generates "white noise" that helps mask other sounds. Sound masking systems help make an open office area more functional for the occupants.
Demountable Partitions

Demountable walls or partitions can be moved and altered to create different types of spaces to meet the needs of the occupants. They typically consist of aluminum frames, solid vinyl or fabric panels, and/or glass panels.
Task Lighting

Task lights are designed to provide the occupant control of the light levels in their workspace. They illuminate specific work areas and allow for less ambient light. Task lighting can be hard-wired in a cubicle / desk or it can be a simple desk lamp.
Manual Light Switch

Manual light switches are typically wall mounted switches that control lighting within a room.
Metering / Sensor-operated

Metering faucets dispense water for a pre-determined period of time. Combined with a low-flow aerator, metering faucets deliver a pre-defined volume of water (0.125 gpc - gallon per cycle). Electronic faucets use a motion controlled sensor to activate water flow. They can either be programmed to turn off when motion ceases or based on a predetermined period of time. Both metering and sensor-operated faucets can use low-flow aerators; however, the faucet may cost more than conventional faucets.
Low-Flow Shower

Low-flow showerheads use less than 2.5 gallons of water per minute GPM. Look for dual-flow shower controls that allow the user to reduce and restore the water flow during times of soaping and rinsing while maintaining the same temperature of the water.
Timer

Timer controls can be set to turn lights on and off at certain times, therefore specifying the duration of time the lights will be turned on.
Sound boots

Sound-boots are integrated into the duct-work between the office walls in the ceiling. The duct work is often shaped like a boot. If properly specified and installed, the sound boot will help control the transfer of sound from one area to another.
Blinds

Blinds are versatile window coverings. Blinds block or reduce sunlight penetration through windows. They are made with either vertical or horizontal slats that can be rotated for privacy control and maximum light tolerance. They are available in a variety of materials and styles such as bamboo, wood, composite wood, aluminum, vinyl or fabric. When utilizing light shelves consider installing two sets of rolling shades, one above and one below.
Interior Light Shelves

Interior light shelves direct daylight deep into a space by bouncing natural light from the light-colored shelves up to the ceiling, where it is reflected down to occupied areas. Blinds and other daylight control devices should be installed as part of a good daylight design strategy because uncontrolled natural light can cause glare.
Skylights / Solar Tubes

Skylights/light tubes allow daylight to penetrate into a space. They are typically located in the roof/ceiling and can vary in size. Certain solar tracking skylights have mirrors in them that track the sun in order to maximize the amount of daylight brought into the space. Installation of either exterior baffles or interior shades on skylights provide control of natural light flow allowing for the minimization of heat gain and glare.