Floor area in the buildings sector worldwide is expected to increase 75% between 2020 and 2050. This is equivalent to adding the city of Paris every week. We will need various resources to support this level of construction, including materials, power, water and land. It’s in our best interest to evaluate every aspect of our projects to minimize impact and conserve resources so the next building and the one after that have enough. Our designs need to anticipate resilience and business continuity to prepare for extreme weather and potential grid issues. Providing flexible and engaging spaces for occupants is critical to attracting and retaining employees in tight labor markets. These considerations need to be balanced against time factors, cost and availability.
Leveraging the expertise of the designer, client and contractor ensures responsible choices that maximize positive outcomes. The owner/occupant has a vision and corporate goals, the architect and engineers weave the vision into the design, and the construction team provides feedback on local expertise, material availability and cost in a continuous improvement loop. A strong sustainability narrative embedded in the project from the beginning reduces cost and enhances a building’s marketability, attracting tenants, employees, and buyers who value responsible design.
Projects Advancing Sustainable Design
Ware Malcomb is committed to incorporating optimized and value-conscious design into our projects. Below are three examples highlighting forward-thinking solutions for reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and creating energy-efficient, resilient buildings. While each project employs different strategies, they share common principles that can be applied across the industry.
The Timber Strong Project
Prologis Evergreen is a 246,000 square foot mass timber constructed warehouse in Brampton, Ontario, with 36′ clear heights. The shell building construction reduces carbon emissions by more than 1,100 tonnes by utilizing mass timber in the structural design. It is designed to prioritize the environment and incorporates a structural assembly demonstrating Prologis’ aggressive commitment to achieving NetZero emissions by 2040. The mass timber structure consists of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glulam wood beams and columns instead of metal decking, steel joists and tubular steel. The building is also pursuing LEED Silver certification.
Benefits of Mass Timber in Construction:
- Aesthetic & Workplace Benefits: Natural materials create a more inviting work environment, enhance air quality and support employee attraction and retention, key in competitive labor markets.
- Sustainability & Carbon Sequestration: Stores carbon, reduces emissions, and is a renewable alternative to concrete and steel.
- Strength & Durability: High strength-to-weight ratios, fire resistance, and resilience against seismic activity are offered.
- Energy Efficiency & Comfort: Provides natural insulation, regulates indoor climate, and reduces long-term energy costs.
The Passive House Project
7 Van Buren is an innovative new multifamily project overlooking Columbus Park just outside of Chicago. The 44-unit, six-story development is anticipated to be the first NetZero project of its kind in the Midwest (producing as much energy on-site as it consumes annually). The project was developed by the Oak Park Residence Corporation (OPRC), a locally based, non-profit community development corporation that exists exclusively for charitable purposes.
Stemming from an ambitious mission to reframe discussions about affordability, equity, and sustainable development, the project was designed to achieve Phius ZERO certification. 7 Van Buren sets a benchmark for future designs, aiming for lower carbon footprints, consuming an estimated 42% less energy than comparable structures, and showcasing cutting-edge building techniques that can benefit the wider multifamily construction and development market. The project incorporates high-performance envelope design, thermal bridging mitigation, and optimized HVAC systems to achieve zero-energy standards.
Power production is provided by a unique solar panel array that doubles as a shade structure over the roof deck. The solar panels create a dynamic rooftop environment, blending energy production and education with an attractive amenity. Twenty percent of the building’s units will be preserved for individuals earning at or below 50% of area median income (AMI), while the remaining 80% will be rented at prevailing market rates. This mixed-income concept, coupled with the building’s NetZero design, is part of the developer’s commitment to developing economically diverse and sustainable housing for the region.
Benefits of Net-Zero Energy Design:
- Energy Independence & Resilience: On-site energy generation can provide a reliable power source during disruptions.
- Financial Savings: Reduced energy consumption leads to significant long-term utility cost reductions.
- Environmental Sustainability: Zero-energy buildings reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
- Enhanced Comfort & Health: Consistent indoor temperatures and superior air quality improve occupant well-being.
The Live Well Project
The 27,240 square foot office for Amicus Therapeutics is situated in Princeton, NJ’s bustling Palmer Square district and emphasizes connectivity, well-being and sustainability. Amicus decided they wanted to be downtown so that when their employees drive to the office, they can park their cars and not have to drive again for the rest of the day. Since it is a biopharma company, Amicus wanted to promote health and wellness at every possible opportunity.
The space is designed for flexibility, with workstations designed as individual units that can be easily relocated for shifting project teams. There are also many convertible spaces, including pivoting walls, for maximum adaptability.
Biophilic design, including living plants, is incorporated by strategically placing preserved greenery in areas where employees socialize. A private roof terrace allows for outdoor breaks during the workday, and the space was designed to provide natural light to as many spaces as possible.
Ware Malcomb utilized several other sustainable strategies, such as energy-efficient LED lighting with dimming capabilities. The material selection includes considerations for lower embodied carbon and material transparency. In the café areas, employees have access to healthy snacks and food options, maintaining a sustainable and wellness-oriented mindset.
Benefits of Biophilic Design:
- Enhanced Well-Being & Productivity: Natural elements reduce stress, boost mood, and improve focus.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Plants help filter toxins and increase oxygen levels, promoting a healthier workspace.
- Stronger Connection to Nature: A greener environment fosters creativity and engagement, making spaces more inviting.
- Sustainable & Low-Maintenance Solutions: Preserved greenery and moss provide long-lasting beauty without requiring extensive upkeep.
How You Can Be a Change Maker
If these projects illustrate the potential of sustainable design as a value-driven initiative, the next question is: How can you integrate these principles into your projects? The good news is that reducing carbon doesn’t have to be complex or costly. Sustainable strategies are evolving, synergies are forming, and project benefits are being prioritized, with environmental impact becoming an added advantage.
Top Sustainability Trends:
- Reduced Life-Cycle Impacts & Circularity
- Energy Efficiency & Local Energy Production
- Occupant Health & Wellness
- Resilience & Preparedness
As we reflect on the highlighted projects, let’s explore how these sustainability trends can be integrated across different building types.
Industrial
Industrial buildings are typically large, utilitarian structures made primarily of concrete and steel. The most apparent sustainability focus is on reducing embodied carbon. While mass timber construction has gained attention for its aesthetic and environmental benefits, its higher cost remains challenging for developers who struggle to make the financials work.
That doesn’t mean reducing embodied carbon is out of reach. Low-carbon concrete alternatives are increasingly available, and structural engineers can incorporate them into specifications with minimal effort. It’s important to recognize that embodied carbon isn’t just about material extraction and installation; it also includes the entire life cycle of the building, from maintenance to demolition. Choosing durable materials, such as a 30-year roof, reduces the need for replacements and lowers long-term carbon impact.
Even when mass timber isn’t feasible, industrial buildings can enhance the employee experience in other ways. Skylights introduce natural light, fostering a connection to the outdoors and reducing energy costs. Using distributed green infrastructure instead of large retention basins provides employees with usable outdoor spaces and may improve stormwater management.
Multifamily
In multifamily developments, design improvements should prioritize occupant well-being. Thoughtful use of biophilic elements can enhance mental health, while conscious material selection and enhanced indoor air quality promote physical health.
Though not all multifamily projects can pursue Phius certification, its core principles, such as maximizing envelope efficiency and reducing HVAC loads, can be applied to lower energy consumption. The result? Lower utility bills and greater comfort for residents with less financial burden.
Additional energy-saving measures, like switched outlets to minimize electric loads when equipment is on standby, further reduce energy use. On-site solar panels, integrated into rooftops and façades, enhance resilience by reducing reliance on external utilities. Battery storage from renewable energy sources can even provide backup heating/cooling in extreme weather events, offering financial and practical benefits to both developers and residents.
We can mitigate additional costs by being strategic in these choices while delivering long-term benefits.
Interiors
Commercial interiors must balance occupant needs with the realities of frequent renovations, making material selection critical. Selection criteria should prioritize both human health and life cycle, favoring products with strong take-back programs to minimize landfill waste.
With evolving business needs and hybrid work trends, flexibility is key. Modular construction offers long-term adaptability and reduces waste compared to traditional drywall and studs for future fit-outs. Similarly, furniture choices, including reused, can support sustainability without sacrificing style. Shifting the conversation from ‘used’ to ‘pre-owned,’ ‘refurbished,’ or ‘classic’ furniture helps overcome stigma and encourages reuse.
Beyond materials, workplaces should support employee wellness. Features like dimmable lighting, localized temperature controls, and purpose-built quiet spaces allow occupants to tailor their environment to their needs. Whether it’s a calming retreat for focus or an acoustically designed space for calls, these thoughtful design choices enhance both comfort and productivity.
Key Takeaways
The future of design and construction is about increasing value by building with less – less energy, less waste, and less carbon. Every decision, from material selection to discussions about energy efficiency measures, contributes a tangible, sustainable improvement to the built environment.
By changing the narrative with your project team around sustainable design strategies, we can collectively shape a brighter future for generations to come.
