With the growing concerns of climate change, water scarcity, pollution, and many more, the need to design more sustainable and responsible buildings is urgent. Cities around the world are taking lead on this endeavor and adopting innovative approaches to achieve urban resilience. Similarly, office buildings all around the world have been applying the same sustainability standards for a better tomorrow.
In this article, we explore eight remarkable sustainable office buildings from around the globe, each showcasing groundbreaking advancements in green design and technology. Through energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, and smart use of materials, these structures not only reduce their impact on the environment but also serve as powerful examples for future developments in sustainable architecture.
The Edge
- Year: 2015
- Architect: PLP Architecture
- LEED Certification: LEED Platinum
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Edge dominates the list of sustainable office buildings with a record-breaking BREEAM score of 98.36% and LEED Platinum certification. Every sustainable practice has been applied to this structure. In terms of energy efficiency, photovoltaic panels are placed on its south-facing facade, LED lighting systems are utilized, and smart building management adjusts energy consumption based on occupancy. For sanitary usages and landscape irrigation, rainwater is harvested and recycled.
Indoor environmental quality is ensured through aquifer thermal energy storage, demand-control ventilation, and abundant natural light that shines through the massive glass façade. The building also utilizes an IoT network, which features 30,000 sensors, to monitor energy use and optimize space utilization. The Edge perfectly exemplifies the merge of technology and engineering to achieve maximum environmental sustainability.
Bullitt Center
- Year: 2013
- Architect: Miller Hull Partnership
- LEED Certification: LEED Platinum
- Location: Seattle, USA
The Bullitt Center definitely holds a spot among the most sustainable office buildings as it was designed to operate as a net-positive energy building. The rooftop is equipped with photovoltaic cells which generate 230,000 kilowatt-hours a year, which is more than the needed amount to operate the building. Additionally, its rainwater harvesting system is capable of collecting and filtering 56,000 gallons of water for all sorts of usages. What pushes sustainability even further is the use of composting toilets as 5 aerobic composters treat human waste without releasing any unpleasant odor.
For heating and cooling purposes, geothermal wells are incorporated. Another nod to its serious adoption of sustainability is that the building does not have a parking lot. So, this pushes people to use public transport or just take a bike ride to work. To Ensure healthy indoor quality, the materials used in construction are all low-VOC.The Bullitt Center exemplifies sustainable urban development, proving that zero-energy offices are achievable.
One Embankment Place
- Year: 1991
- Architect: Sir Terry Farrell – 2013 renovated by TP Bennett
- LEED Certification: 96.31% BREEAM rating
- Location: London, United kingdom
One Embankment Place was originally designed and completed by Sir Terry Farrell in 1991. It is located above London’s Charing Cross Station, making it a prominent architectural feature in the city. The building was later retrofitted to achieve high sustainability standards during 2013 r by TP Bennett, which led to its record-breaking BREEAM rating of 96.31%. Actually, it was among the highest-rated sustainable office buildings at the time, until it was surpassed by The Edge in 2016.
The building operates on biofuel sourced from locally collected and refined waste vegetable oil, which significantly helps in reducing its carbon footprint. To regulate internal temperatures and improve the overall air quality, green walls and rooftop gardens were a crucial part of the design. What’s interesting is how the design itself encourages the use of staircases by placing them in the middle of the atrium, so people are urged to use them instead of elevators.
Taipei 101 Tower
- Year: 2004
- Architect: C.Y. Lee & Partners
- Certification: LEED Platinum
- Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei 101 was once the world’s tallest skyscraper before Burj Khalifa. It achieved LEED Platinum certification in 2011 which made it a benchmark for sustainable skyscrapers. It features an advanced water conservation system with low-flow fixtures, saving millions of liters of water each year. This eco-conscious design extends to its air conditioning system, which recycles waste heat, and aids in reducing energy consumption significantly.
The building’s lighting systems utilize energy-efficient LED technology and low-mercury bulbs, so it could cut down on both energy use and toxic emissions. Taipei 101’s integration of eco-friendly systems into everyday operations proves that even large iconic structures can lead the way in environmental sustainability.
The Crystal
- Year: 2012
- Architect: Wilkinson Eyre Architects
- Certification: LEED Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding
- Location: London, UK
The Crystal, designed by Wilkinson Eyre and commissioned by Siemens, originally served as an exhibition center before reopening as London’s City Hall in 2022. It’s not the typical example of sustainable office buildings as it houses governmental functions and serves as a civic building. The building incorporates highly advanced technologies to minimize energy consumption.
To control solar gain and frame views, it utilizes six types of highly insulated glass with varying transparencies. For example, the reflective glass reduces heat on sun-facing facets while the transparent one is used for ground-facing sides. A sophisticated management system monitors and optimizes energy use in this all-electric building. Whenever there is surplus energy, it is fed back into the National Grid. The Crystal sets a new standard for sustainable design by integrating both passive and active systems to reduce environmental impact.
Pixel by Studio505
- Year: 2010
- Architect: Studio505
- Certification: LEED Platinum and 100 Green Star
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Pixel is among Australia’s first carbon-neutral sustainable office buildings. It is remarkably distinguished by its colorful facade that incorporates shading louvers, double-glazed curtain walls, and solar panel shading devices to reduce solar heat gain. The relatively small building integrates multiple environmental systems to enhance the overall building performance.
The building features rooftop wind turbines and solar panels to generate its own power, while rainwater collection and greywater recycling reduce its reliance on external resources. Its carbon-neutral design minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, while its green roof helps manage stormwater and insulates the building. Pixel has managed to achieve a perfect 100 score under the Green Star rating system as well as a LEED platinum certificate.
CH2 – City Council House
- Year: 2013
- Architect: DesignInc
- Certification: 6-Star Green Star Rating
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
CH2 is one of the highly energy-efficient sustainable office buildings that uses natural ventilation and cooling towers to regulate the indoor climate. The building uses natural ventilation strategies, such as a façade with operable windows and automated shading systems, to reduce cooling loads. It also features solar panels and wind turbines, which generate renewable energy on-site.
CH2’s green roof provides thermal insulation and absorbs rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff. Inside, a water recycling system treats greywater for reuse, contributing to the building’s impressive water conservation efforts. CH2’s energy-efficient design significantly lowers its environmental footprint.With operable windows and innovative cooling systems, CH2 sets a benchmark for green building design in Australia.
Genzyme Center
- Year: 2004
- Architect: Behnisch & Partner
- LEED Certification: LEED Platinum
- Location: Massachusetts, USA
Genzyme Center is widely regarded as one of the most sustainable office buildings, serving as the headquarters for several biotech companies. A key feature of the building is its impressive 12-story atrium, which brings natural light to around 75% of the interior spaces. This atrium, combined with the stack effect, helps to naturally refresh the indoor air. To enhance light distribution, hanging mirror panels are strategically placed to reflect sunlight throughout the building.
The structure itself is primarily made of concrete, chosen for its versatility and high thermal mass, which helps regulate indoor temperatures. The building also boasts a green roof that collects rainwater, which is used in evaporative cooling towers to reduce energy consumption. These features, along with other eco-friendly technologies, enabled Genzyme Center to earn a LEED Platinum certification for Building Design and Construction, a testament to its innovative approach to sustainability in office architecture.
