You should be able to answer the question, "How sustainable should I be?":

High

Medium

Valid

Considering BREEAM* certification? Decide which rating you want:

Outstanding

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Pass

Considering LEED* certification? Decide which rating you want:

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Certified

Deloitte's Turkey office has earned the LEED Gold Certificate from the United States Green Building Council. The LEED Certification System, which aims to make the world more livable by creating green buildings and campuses that respect people and nature, is the most widespread, most reliable, and most valid "Green Building Certification System" worldwide.

If you're moving into a new building, choosing a building with a BREEAM or LEED certification will not only make things easier for you but also guide you through the process.

What should your goal be for a greener office? We've listed it below.

Utilizing energy efficiency to reduce costs

Reducing carbon emissions

Using your space more efficiently

Making the most of daylight and natural ventilation

Meeting regulatory requirements

What is the energy efficiency of your new/existing building?

Having accurate information about the current situation before setting off is crucial for planning your next move.

Analyze the orientation of the building. Does it face north or south?

Does it receive adequate daylight?

What are the heating, cooling, and ventilation systems like? Do they need to be updated?

Is the building energy-controlled? Does it utilize smart systems?

How high are the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions in your building/office? Request and review a copy of your building's Energy Performance Certificate.

After answering these questions, analyze the applicability of the following steps in your own office. Some of these simple solutions will significantly impact your project budget.

Replacing your old woodwork with Low-e or solar Low-e coated insulating glass products

Replacing your old and inefficient heating/cooling systems with efficient new appliances

Using energy-efficient bulbs in your lighting fixtures

Insulating your plumbing and valves

Utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar

Using heat pumps, cogeneration, and microcogeneration systems

*BREEAM® (BRE's Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are the most common certification systems that assess how "green" and "ecologically friendly" buildings are.

You've defined your overall scope. Now it's time to integrate this understanding into your design. With the right architectural design, you can achieve both #happyoffices and #greenoffices without blowing your budget.

We've listed some of our suggestions below.

Flexible plans are always a good idea because they allow you to rearrange the space as your office evolves, reducing your long-term costs.

Are you considering the use of local materials? Local materials are energy efficient and reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions.

Have you considered repurposing existing materials?

Are you maximizing daylight? Ensure that each desk is no more than 7 meters from a natural light source.

Is there adequate insulation? Proper insulation significantly reduces not only your energy consumption but also your heating and cooling costs.

Be sure to consider recycling in your project.

You should consider the use of energy-efficient joinery. Proper joinery is particularly important for preventing heat loss. You can use shading systems to control solar glare or overheating.

You should aim for a design that requires minimal finishing, wall coverings, paint, and plaster.

You should encourage electronic documentation and storage; this will reduce paper usage, storage space, and the need for lighting.

A green office essentially means an energy-efficient and low-carbon office. To achieve this, you should consider:

Choose high-quality, energy-efficient lighting systems.

Provide temperature control for daily use.

Control your energy consumption yourself: zone the space according to energy use and allocate low-use areas.

Implement systems that can automatically shut off or go into "standby."

Implement smart heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.

Set timers to turn off electronic devices like televisions, screens, and printers when not in use.

Make your lighting smart.

Ensure your building provides efficient lighting (in lux). High lighting levels negatively impact not only your energy efficiency and budget, but also employee health.

Provide zoned lighting throughout the space, ensuring each zone's lighting is individually controlled. Remember, not every task requires the same level of illumination. Furthermore, individual lighting, such as desk lamps, not only increases employee concentration but also reduces unnecessary energy consumption compared to general lighting.

Install motion detectors for automatic lighting.

Use daylight sensors; this will allow you to take advantage of daylight more effectively and prevent unnecessary energy consumption from artificial lighting.

Set timers to turn off lighting on weekends and at night.

Use LED lighting.

A standard 40W bulb has a lifespan of 1000 hours, while energy-efficient LED systems can last up to 50,000 hours. 50 times longer!

Consume less water

Consider low-water plumbing systems and sanitary ware.

If possible, implement rainwater and snowwater systems. Ensure all restrooms are equipped with systems that prevent unnecessary use and automatically shut off.

Improve your indoor air quality

Take advantage of natural ventilation.

Keep your carbon dioxide emissions to a minimum.

Ensure that materials such as composite wood, carpet, and paint have low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide emissions.

Successfully completing your project means successfully completing a challenging process. But a few final steps will help you reap the rewards of your hard work.

Speak to people: get their input and develop your sustainability policy for your new space.

At the end of each year, review your policy and ensure you've implemented your decisions.

Create a "paperless" office: opt for electronic systems for correspondence and storage.

Ensure recycling bins are sufficient and easily accessible.

Empower your employees to learn about environmental issues and take action on their own initiative.

A smaller building footprint directly reduces a company's carbon footprint through reductions in energy, services, and office supplies. Software company Autodesk saves $1 million every two years thanks to the environmental design of its UK headquarters, which incorporates a Motion-Based Work environment.