Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 IACET CEU
May qualify for learning hours through most Canadian architectural associations
This webinar is part of the Indoor Environmental Quality: Healthy Design Academy
When stay-at-home mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic drove workers away from offices and into their homes, some time was created for reflection and a reset of sorts. What kind of offices and workspaces would draw people back to work? What does it take for people to feel good and to be healthy during their hours away from home? This webinar addresses these questions, illustrating design strategies for workspaces that elevate health and happiness. This is a net positive for companies, employees, and society.
This webinar illustrates how workplace questions are studied and answered, with a focus on the Armstrong World Industries (AWI) Living Lab, a dynamic pilot space at Armstrong’s campus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The lab is designed to beta test new health-focused solutions and emerging innovations in workplace design. The lab is an activity-based work environment, which means it provides a range of spaces to comfortably accommodate a variety of needs throughout the day. Here, people can work on the move, taking advantage of technology to stay connected, even in outside settings. They can use the assortment of team-oriented rooms and informal open spaces for collaboration, or they can use enclosed rooms for focus work. This is simultaneously a proving ground for new products and a place to test drive mock-ups.
Advanced products adorn the lab, creating an indoor environment that reflects the outdoors. Specialty ceilings with open suspension systems, for instance, have translucent panels with circadian lighting emulating real sunlight. The strategy emphasizes other biophilic design elements such as outdoor views, warm wood tones, and deep earthy greens evoking growth, comfort, and wellbeing. Specific adaptations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with AWI's commitment to create the healthiest work environments possible, include the exploratory use of touchless and antimicrobial surfaces, as well as mineral fiber ceilings with concealed UV air purification. Building upon a 25-year relationship, Gensler and AWI's shared mission of improving the human experience through design has culminated in a critical, yet hopeful, moment of transformation. The Living Lab is an actively evolving embodiment of that mission. The lab will be presented by Ehren Gaag, AIA, LEED® AP, Design Director, Principal, Gensler; Linda Pileggi, Design Director, Gensler; and Alexandra Waltemyer, Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Armstrong World Industries.
The presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion focused on how these innovative projects address several key issues.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the connection between worker satisfaction and productivity and the environmental qualities of the workspace environment.
- Explain how to improve acoustical quality in an indoor environment.
- Define the strategies for creating enhanced indoor air quality.
- List tactics for bringing natural light into office, retail, health care, manufacturing, educational, municipal, or manufacturing workspaces.
- Describe the importance of occupant lighting control, temperature control, and ventilation control.
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