The North American flex-office sector has evolved through the pandemic into a more sophisticated version of itself, gradually shifting to rely more on large companies as users and helping employers to accommodate changing patterns of office use, according to a new report from global commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE.
The flex sector, a rapidly expanding niche in 2018 and 2019, has slimmed down since early 2020. CBRE’s annual analysis of the sector found that, in the 12 months ended in September, North American flex-space providers collectively trimmed their square footage by 9% to slightly more than 80 million sq. ft. Similarly, the sector’s penetration as a percentage of overall office space declined to 1.75% from roughly 2%.
Having reset itself, the flex sector is poised for growth this year as big companies increasingly embrace the format’s versatility to handle changing staffing levels and fluctuating office attendance.
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A look at UV lighting, negative ionization, ozone and hydrogen peroxide
by Scott Milne (Article originally published in fnPrime) — As another coronavirus variant rages across the United States, indoor air quality and infection control procedures are still critical for operating safe facilities. However, even after this pandemic finally ends, these measures will still be necessary to curb the spread of influenza and other viruses.
Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of new technology was fast-tracked onto facility managers’ radars and some even into their facilities. Scott Milne, founder of Rocky Mountain Efficiency Group LLC, a company that specializes in advanced conservation technologies, discusses four such innovations:
- UV lighting systems that can be installed in ductwork, overhead or under cabinets, and that are endorsed by ASHRAE;
- Negative ionization that will reverse the minute polar charge of interior space, allowing allergens to cluster, land and get caught in filtration;
- Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO), which is a process that creates hydrogen peroxide from elements in the air and is safe to use in public; and
- Ozone that when used in unoccupied spaces has been proven to be effective against viruses.
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Lisa Whited, respected expert on change management in the workplace, has just announced the launch of her first book, Work Better. Save the Planet. The publication, available for softcover purchase and digital download, leverages Whited’s decades-long experience as a strategic consultant to provide business leaders with a guide for building employee engagement through workplace change, with the goal of using resources wisely to positively impact climate change.
"We are at a critical point in the evolution of work and the workplace," stated Whited. "Offices play a crucial role in climate change — 39% of carbon emissions are due to the embedded and operational carbon of commercial buildings; 23% of carbon emissions can be attributed to transportation. How much office space we occupy, and how often we travel (on roads and in the air), contribute to global warming. Because of the pandemic, which gave the majority of office workers insights into alternative ways of working, NOW is the time for change."
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Findings published in the AJIC provide the first long-term assessment of novel disinfection approach.
Data published in March suggests that adding aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) to hospital infection prevention protocols can effectively reduce Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI), one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), among patients in large, acute-care facilities. The findings, which offer the first, long-term evaluation of an aHP disinfection system for reducing CDI in a clinical setting, appear in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
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Business decision makers and knowledge workers agree that at least 50% of the data their company uses on a day-to-day basis should be focused on sustainable business and doing good for the communities it serves.
Research from Cloudera reveals more than one quarter (26%) of business decision makers are now putting increasing investment in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) ahead of developing new products/services (24%) or accelerating financial growth (21%). Additionally, knowledge workers believe as much as 49% of the data their business uses on a day-to-day basis should be focused on doing good for the communities it serves. This is a sentiment 52% of business decision makers agree with — a clear indication that profit and ESG are no longer mutually exclusive pursuits. The study also examines the shift in attitude towards AI, Machine Learning (ML) and Data Analytics.
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As part of President Biden’s National Covid-19 Preparedness Plan released in March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, a call to action and a concise set of guiding principles and actions to assist building owners and operators with reducing risks from airborne viruses and other contaminants indoors. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge highlights a range of recommendations and resources available to assist with improving ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ), which can help to better protect the health of building occupants and reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread.
"Protecting our public health means improving our indoor air quality," stated EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today, EPA is following through on President Biden’s plan to move our nation forward in a healthy, sustainable way as we fight Covid-19. Throughout the pandemic, building managers and facility staff have been on the frontlines implementing approaches to protect and improve indoor air quality to reduce risks and keep their occupants safe and healthy, and we are so grateful for their efforts. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge is an important part of helping us all to breathe easier."
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Carrier has added new TruVu zone HVAC controllers to the i-Vu building automation system. Designed for pressure independent variable air volume (VAV) and pressure dependent variable volume and temperature (VVT) applications, these controllers feature built-in control programs that are engineered for efficiency, energy savings and optimum equipment performance. They also feature dual IP ports for high-speed BACnet/IP communication. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.
Available in three versions, VAV Zone, VVT Zone and VVT Bypass, the new TruVu controllers provide zone-level temperature, humidity and air quality control. They include an integrated actuator and can be field mounted on Carrier VAV and VVT air terminals. They are preprogrammed with equipment graphics, trends and alarms for the i-Vu building automation system, simplifying system setup and providing building operators with tools that help them reduce energy consumption, improve operational efficiencies and maximize occupant comfort.
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In addition to daily on-site keynotes and special programs, NeoCon, which will take place June 13-15, 2022, will offer 47 virtual CEU-accredited programs from an impressive roster of leading industry experts from a wide cross-section of fields. The sessions will span eight program tracks: Workplace, Healthcare, Education, Facilities, Wellness, Sustainability, Design Skills, and Industry Direction and delve into the topics that are making an impact on the design industry both now and in the future.
The Education track offers five CEU-accredited sessions on designing successful learning environments. Registrants will be able to access each session when it runs live online as well as anytime on demand (for accreditation) through July 15, 2022. Track of 5 sessions: $100.
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New events posted this week
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