0
134
Coworking spaces have disrupted traditional work environments. They've been the most popular way to evolve space in recent years. They have progressed from providing low-cost workspaces to providing much more than that. WiFi, meeting rooms, a snack bar, a game zone, a community, and other amenities have shifted the focus from a luxury to a generic description. Furthermore, coworking spaces are attempting to provide new services and amenities in order to match client demand.
So, what is the most recent trend in coworking spaces? The solution is to go green.
Green buildings are any environmentally friendly structures that do not affect the environment and use sustainable and cost-effective technologies and processes. Green areas not only create a healthy workplace but also tend to boost a startup's productivity.
According to the World Green Building Council, 27 percent of green building initiatives were successfully implemented worldwide in 2018, and more than 60 percent of new construction projects are predicted to be green by the end of 2021. In the next three to five years, India's green building market is estimated to reach $35–50 billion. This is also one of the most popular selling points that distinguish a coworking space from its competitors.
The following are some of the main reasons why coworking spaces are choosing to build in a more environmentally friendly manner:
● It lowers the costs of operation.
● It saves natural resources such as water and energy.
● It ensures that land is used efficiently and that resources are used to their maximum potential.
● It is constructed using renewable resources and recycles as much as possible.
● They assist in lowering the workplace's carbon footprint.
● By removing contaminants, it contributes to a healthier environment.
● It improves the quality of life for residents and improves their overall health.
Furthermore, green buildings benefit people at work. Here are a few grounds to support your claim:
● Increasing their focus and productivity
● Creating a good and healthy atmosphere
● Boost morale
● Enhance creativity and cognition.
● Absenteeism is reduced.
The rise of green coworking spaces
Coworking is built on the foundation of sustainability. From a theoretical standpoint, sharing space and Idle Resources Across several different teams reduces waste. Printers, copiers, freezers, and meeting rooms all generate a lot of waste and consume a lot of energy. As a result of the collective usage of these on-premises resources, fewer office supplies end up in landfills.
Coworking spaces, on the other hand, have advanced even farther in recent years. The rise of the "green" coworking space is an attempt to instill eco-consciousness in the community as well as in the space's sustainable architecture.
These coworking spaces provide chances for cooperation on novel solutions to the climate change problem by sharing ideas, connections, and material resources. The open and creative culture that surrounds coworking expands and energizes the potential for significant change.
Beautiful eco-friendly workstations have been cropping up all over the world as the green trend has taken hold in many countries. Green Spaces in Denver, USA, is one of the most well-known, billing itself as the "Workspace for Green Entrepreneurs" and dedicated to creating a supportive network for environmentally-focused enterprises.
As part of orientation, each member completes a green mission statement, and the space is powered entirely by solar energy and made entirely of reused materials. Closer to home, every aspect of the design of a coworking space in Hong Kong also involves sustainability. The facility is green and energy-efficient, thanks to bamboo flooring, low-energy LED lights, and drought-resistant plants. The open and welcoming environment encourages participants to engage in social responsibility and environmental entrepreneurship in their work by facilitating regular idea exchange, bench resources, and brainstorming.
According to research, the real estate industry generates 40% of waste and 35% of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, this industry consumes more than 25% of all water and energy resources. As a result, there is no other option except to choose greener options. It also lends a sense of dynamism to the working environment. So, certainly, greener workspaces are the future of coworking. Sooner or later, every coworking space will include this green building structure as a standard feature.
Here are some ideas for using green and sustainable shared workspaces.
Rethink paper supplies
In your printer and copier, use recycled paper. Use a paper towel that has been recycled. Use toilet paper that has been recycled. It may appear easy, yet it can have a significant impact. And they're all easy to come by and can be purchased in bulk at a modest price.
Reduce water usage
Due to the scarcity of water in today's society, minimizing its use is the first step toward turning green. It must plan efficiently for everything from limiting the flow of water in taps to the use of water in washrooms. Water may be saved by using rainwater collection techniques and reusing waterways. Also, if your workplace is a structure, consider rainwater harvesting. You are returning your piece of nature to it in this manner.
Invest in the right lights
Install motion sensors in your lighting to drastically lower your energy use and expenses. Use LED lights, which can conserve electricity while also providing better lighting. During the day, whenever possible, try to make use of natural light.
Clean green
Encourage your workforce as a service to wipe down surfaces and tables, wash dishes, mop floors, and clean bathrooms with natural cleaning supplies in your area.
Go low VOC
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in paints and building materials (VOC). To keep dangerous contaminants out of your space, use low VOC paints and materials.
Clean the air with plants
Plants can help enhance the air quality of a closed environment, which can hold various contaminants. Spider Plant, Dracaena, Ficus, Boston Fern, and Snake Plant are five air-purifying plants to have in your shared workspace. Are you considering purchasing that $500 air purifier? Consider your options again and make a good decision to purchase these plants.
Recycle
Create a culture where recycling is practiced by working nomads in all aspects of life, and encourage your members-only to utilize recyclable items. Replace the throwaway cups, plates, and flatware in your area with real, reusable items similar to what you use at home. Collaboration and creativity could thus find a home amid the various other aspects of the workplace.
Abandon plastic
Reduce or minimize the use of plastic in your space whenever possible. We all know that plastics are destroying our environment, and all the evidence you need is a Google search away!
Solar energy
Solar energy has the potential to reduce energy by taking the best advantage of unutilized resource use while also saving money significantly. It's a once-in-a-lifetime investment that's well worth it. It will cost you a few dollars up front, but it will be well worth it in the long term.
Final thoughts
While there will always be a market segment that refuses to change, firms such as Temporary resource agencies have already invested in the process. Customers also appreciate a venue that is green and has a dynamic atmosphere. So, when will the shift happen? Well, it'll be a lot sooner than you think!
