We spend up to 90 percent of our lives indoors and it’s important to understand the health implications of our indoor environments, Burt said. Image courtesy of hb+a Arquitectos
Commercial real estate spaces today look very different than they used to. The needs and preferences of tenants have been pushing architects and designers to add more amenities and areas for relaxation or socialization and, in general, to place greater emphasis on people’s health and well-being.
Hafsa Burt, founder of hb+a Architects, has been promoting healthy building principles and environmental sustainability in California for more than two decades. Today more than ever, her studio’s projects focus on human comfort in interior spaces, so we asked her to weigh in on the latest in commercial real estate design and architecture in the Golden State.
What is shaping commercial architecture in California today?
Burt: Electrification as a strategy to decarbonize is notable, considering that just a couple of years ago we were educating developers and asset managers on the merits. We are also seeing photovoltaics integrated into buildings that incorporate solar panels directly into building materials such as windows or facades. This integration not only generates renewable energy but also improves the aesthetics of the building. However, you need to place them carefully, taking into account the tilt and orientation, which are location-specific, because I have come across some buildings in the Bay Area where there is no tilt.
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What type of technologies do you integrate most into your designs today? What is your opinion on the potential impact of AI on the industry?
Burt: We use indoor air quality sensors and smart thermostats integrated into HVAC systems that enable dynamic control of ventilation rates and air purification based on real-time data. This ensures optimal indoor air quality and maximizes energy efficiency. I’m also curious about new filtration technologies that are emerging, including electrostatic filters, photocatalytic oxidation filters, and nanofiber filters, which offer greater efficiency in capturing particles and contaminants.
As for AI, you may not agree with concept generation or its use as a tool or shortcut for creativity; However, I believe that AI has the potential to facilitate administrative tasks such as reporting, proposal writing, etc., which can be time-consuming. and, at some point in the future, can potentially help with production tasks such as generating documents and identifying inconsistencies, errors, etc. and possibly assist with the coordination of consultants.
Hospitality-inspired amenities and minimalism are two popular trends in commercial design. They go hand in hand?
Burt: These two don’t go hand in hand, there are a lot of maximalist design trends in hospitality-inspired commercial spaces. There has been a growing awareness about healthy building principles and productivity that hospitality-inspired concepts generally lend themselves to as a simple solution. As for minimalism, it has gone beyond a simple aesthetic preference towards a design strategy based on the reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials.
Another trend in CRE design, particularly for offices, is adding more outdoor workspaces. Do you anticipate an increase in its prevalence in regions with favorable climate such as California?
Burt: Yes, given the beautiful weather and awareness of health principles, particularly after the pandemic, this holistic approach will continue to prevail, at least that is the hope. We spend up to 90 percent of our lives indoors and it is important to understand the health implications of our indoor environments and incorporate biophilic concepts into our buildings as much as possible.
Completed in 2020, the Coffee and Water Lab in San José is a coffee space designed by hb+a Architects. Image courtesy of hb+a Arquitectos
What are some of the less common elements you’ve been adding to your California CRE projects that speak to your focus on healthy buildings and environmental sustainability?
Burt: We have made a deliberate effort to focus on design principles focused on human well-being and comfort in interior spaces. This means taking into account energy use, lighting, thermal comfort, etc. This also includes integrating natural light and using softer materials to create a welcoming atmosphere.
During construction of the Coffee and Water Laboratory amid the pandemic, we worked closely with our mechanical consultant to meet ASHRAE 62.1 standards. Installing HEPA filters with a booster fan boosted air exchange rates. Given the foot traffic, especially on weekends, it was very important to us to use low VOC finishing products and perform a thorough air purge prior to occupancy. Additionally, our outside air supply aligns with ASHRAE 189.1 standards, with continuous monitoring to maintain adequate air volume delivery.
Is the Coffee and Water Lab project in San José among your favorites? Or do you have another project that is closer to your heart?
Burt: Each project encompasses unique aspects and innovative solutions that make us proud of our work, whether it is solving a problem related to compliance or efficiency. I quite enjoy solving problems for my clients and delivering more and I look for ways to incorporate creativity and innovation.
How do you expect sustainable architecture and design initiatives to evolve, particularly in hazard-prone areas of California?
Burt: We’re pretty focused on resilience right now, how to make structures last and survive a potential natural disaster and continue operations without losing power or internet connectivity. That’s why I continually highlight our development division, Box Lab, as building successful prototypes. Box Factory is an example of this, serving as a great example of resilience during the Amador County fires.
From a policy perspective, there is renewed interest in studying and reducing the embodied carbon in building materials in relation to the production stage of a building’s life cycle and that focus will continue as more and more architects they get on the train.
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