Office
UNIT
Figure 3.2.14 Louvered wall at main entrance
(Source: Hong Kong Green Building Council)
Figure 3.2.13 Illustration of air flow
(Source: Hong Kong Green Building Council)
DESIGN STAGE
3.2.2 Adequate Ventilation
Benefits for Office Building
Increasing natural lighting in the
office can help to reduce the energy
consumption of the lighting system.
It can also help to lower the energy
consumption of the air-conditioning
system as the heat dissipation from
the lighting system is reduced. Office
buildings introducing natural lighting
would attract tenants who would like
to improve staff’s productivity through
provision of natural lighting.
Green Strategies for Office Building
z
Locate and size windows appro-
priately to increase the amount
of daylight in the office space
z
Use clerestory windows, light
shelves, and a light color on
a matt or rough surface and
on furnishings can diffuse the
natural light
z
Incorporate proper sun shading
devices in building design
z
Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)
of glass not less than 50%
z
Install skylights/light tubes in ap-
propriate areas such as corridors
z
Use light colour finishes
Benefits for Office Unit
Many fluorescent lights are only
concentrated in the yellow-green
portion of the spectrum to obtain
the most lumens per watt; this
unbalanced, narrow spectrum limits
the blue in the source, which leads
to improper functioning of the eye.
Therefore, the superior spectral
content of natural light makes it the
best light for the eye.
Studies have shown that proximity to
windows has a positive effect on staff
productivity. It can be partly due to
the effect of views, but the positive
z
Locate private offices toward the
building core and siting cubicles
at the perimeter brings daylight
into a large area
z
Use of light tubes for better
utilisation of daylight for office
spaces and amenities
z
Low cubicle and glass partitions
allow daylight to travel to the
core spaces to ensure a natural
light illuminance level of 100lux.
3
z
Use of light color finishes
Protect
occupants’
eyesight over
time
General
improvement
in sleep quality
and sleep
efficiency
1
The productivity
of office workers
is significantly
improved
impact of light on health and well-
being is undeniable. Exposure to light,
during the day, particularly in the
morning, is beneficial to your health
via its effects on mood, alertness
and metabolism.
2
Moreover, it also
reinforces circadian rhythms.
Green Strategies for Office Unit
Read more at:
1. Chueng I.(2013). Impact of workplace daylight exposure on sleep, physical activity, and quality of life. American Academy of Sleep
Medicine 36.
2. Edwards, L. and Torcellini, P. (2002). A L
ts on Building Occupants. Natural Renewable
Energy Laboratory. Accessed 17/11/2016.
th.” ScienceDaily.
4.
DESIGN STAGE
3.2.3 Natural Lighting
Office
UNIT
Office
BUILDING
Case study of Hong
Kong Green Building
Council Office:
Cross Ventilation
Under appropriate weather conditions,
it is not necessary to turn on air-
conditioners.
As a result, the louvered wall and
window allow natural ventilation.
Natural Lighting
Overview
Office lighting must meet the following needs. We of course need to see
the task in front of us, but lighting also affects many other aspects of
well-being, including comfort, communications, mood, health, safety and
aesthetics.
BEAM Plus BI V1.0 IEQ 9
At least 75% of workstations or seating is located in an area of the floor
plan that has a natural light illumination level of 100 lux.
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