Categories
Office Design sustainable office design

8 Benefits of a LEED Certification for Your Workplace

One of the most exciting office design trends in recent years is the movement toward sustainable workspaces. Indeed, more and more companies are looking for ways to “go green” and create eco-friendly professional environments. Check out this LEED certified case study of one of our projects.

These certifications can now present serious value for growing companies. LEED Certification stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” and these independently verified certificates recognize buildings that have been built with green features, sustainable practices, and energy-efficient considerations. Today, we’ll list eight benefits of a LEED Certification for your workplace.

Benefits of a Sustainable Office Design

There are two types of benefits associated with a LEED Certification –– the advantages a company enjoys from a sustainable office design, and the direct benefits of a high-level LEED Certification.

In terms of sustainability, companies can benefit in a myriad of ways from enhancing their office in order to gain a LEED Certification. A few highlights in this regard include:

  • A healthier work environment. Improved air quality alone can actually contribute a healthier office space and better performance. Employees may even take fewer sick days in offices that prioritize quality airflow.
  • Lower utility costs.
  • Reduced expenses on waste and waste removal. This includes construction waste as well.
  • Increased employee retention, productivity, and morale. Offices that are full of natural elements, bright lighting, and clean areas can all contribute to enhanced employee performance.

Even if you don’t earn a LEED certification, bolstering your office’s sustainability can bring about these benefits as well. Making incremental progress toward a greener workplace is better than standing still! (Note also that companies themselves cannot gain a LEED Certification –– only buildings or neighborhoods. So even if you don’t own your building, you can still make eco-friendly improvements and increase your company’s sustainability. Doing so just may not translate into a LEED Certification.)

Direct Benefits of a LEED Certification

In addition to all of the indirect benefits a company can gain from simply opting for a more sustainable approach, there are also some key direct benefits they can access by achieving a LEED Certification.

  • The first, and most tangible of these is the ability to apply for certain tax rebates and zoning allowances.
  • What’s more, buildings with a LEED Certification are almost certain to go up in value –– should you ever decide to sell your office space and relocate.
  • A LEED Certification also enables a company to use that information for public relations and marketing purposes. This can lead to improved business reputation and make it easier for companies to attract new customers and new potential hires as well.
  • Finally, the last and perhaps the most meaningful benefit attached to a LEED Certification is the positive impact made for the environment.

It may not seem like much now, but if enough companies adopt a sustainable mentality, everyone on the planet will benefit in the long run!

Contact Us

At Key Interiors, we’ve worked with businesses in a number of fields to create more sustainable, eco-friendly workspaces that delight both employees and clients alike. Check out this LEED certified case study of one of our projects. If you’re looking to set your company up for long-term success, then going after a LEED Certification now is a fantastic idea –– and we can help you out along the way. Contact us today.

pink LEED certified badge
Categories
industrial office design Office Design

Manufacturing Cleanrooms: 4 Things to Keep in Mind

Cleanrooms have been fixtures for companies operating in certain medical and scientific research niches for decades. Yet, as one might imagine, cleanrooms have become increasingly relevant for a wide variety of organizations over the past few months due in part to COVID-19. Specifically, manufacturing cleanrooms are essential for any company that produces items that could be contaminated easily by particles in the air. With all of that in mind, today we’ll highlight some key facts about cleanrooms, how you should go about creating one, and what you can do to ensure your employees, partners, and products are safe. Check it out here:


Determine Your ISO Classification Level

Not all cleanrooms are created for the same purpose or with the same challenges in mind. Rather, there are 9 different cleanroom classifications as specified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These different classifications determine how the cleanroom should be designed as well as maintained. They designate the particle count and size allowance, as well as the recommended airflow and air change rates. For reference, most manufacturing cleanrooms are either class 7 or 8, but business leaders should double-check their needs first.

Select Your Wall Type

Cleanroom walls come in three different types: soft wall, hard wall, and a rigid wall. To generalize, soft wall cleanrooms are modular and cost-effective, hard wall cleanrooms are permanent and durable, and rigid wall cleanrooms are a bit of both. It’s key for business leaders to identify how they plan to use their clean room for both the short and long-term. Do you plan to move your cleanroom? Will you need specific machines or equipment within the cleanroom? How will you accommodate electrical systems within your cleanroom? Answer these questions before you decide on the wall type and location in your factory.

Installation & Maintenance

Cleanrooms can be a vital aspect of any manufacturing workspace. As such, it’s imperative for business leaders to determine how best to create and maintain their cleanroom. Some cleanrooms come delivered in pre-manufactured parts. For instance, some organizations choose to assemble their own soft wall cleanrooms. In addition, some business leaders choose to maintain their cleanrooms on their own. While these can be viable options, you may also benefit from enlisting the help of a professional crew for installation and maintenance assistance –– particularly if this is the first cleanroom your company has built. 

Budget, Space & Time

As with any workspace renovation, business leaders should consider variables specific to their situation when they decide to invest in a cleanroom. These include factors like your available budget, the amount of space you have to utilize in your facility, and how quickly you need the cleanroom ordered, installed, and operational. While it may be tempting to rush through this transaction if you need a new cleanroom quickly, taking your time could end up saving you significant amounts of money, and, for that matter, stress!

Contact Us

At Key Interiors, we have years of experience working with companies in the medical and manufacturing fields. We know the importance of quality cleanroom design and installation, and we can help your business navigate this potentially tricky investment. Contact us here to learn more about how we can help you improve your organization’s workspace today!

Newsletter Sign Up

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Address

Corporate Showroom      1072 N. Garfield St.
Lombard, IL 60148

Ohio Showroom                      81 Mill Street
Gahanna, OH 43230

Contact

Illinois: 877.288.9919

Ohio: 866.755.9230

info@keyinteriors.us