Today’s architects not only have the challenge of creating commercial building designs that are interesting and unique, but also in using materials that are green and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Instead of relying on the lumber and steel used to create architectural sculptures, the use of reclaimed, recycled or renewable materials, such as Centria panels, have taken the forefront. People care about the environment and the impact that businesses have on it. An organization’s efforts at being green in their design and practices can even have a big impact on the way their customers see them. For many, the efforts at having a green organization start with the design of the corporate office and the materials used to construct it.

Insulated Metal Panels

Energy efficiency is one of the primary concerns for any building construction today and insulation plays a large role. Keeping treated air indoors and preventing untreated air from outdoors can be especially challenging when working on a large scale. Insulated metal panels offer a high-performing finishing material that can be used on the walls and roofs of any building in the shape, texture, color and form desired by the building’s designer. Centria panels allow for a great deal of design flexibility while wrapping the building in a protective envelope that will greatly reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a healthy, comfortable environment inside.

Natural Ventilation

Traditional HVAC systems are being replaced with natural ventilation systems that exchange air without the mechanical system. Instead, changes in the air pressure indoors and outdoors lead to natural air flow that cools and ventilates the building to create a healthy quality of indoor air without the use of energy that traditional systems rely on.

Ventilation is important to the health and happiness of every employee in the building. Natural ventilation reduces the company’s energy use and replaces air conditioning with healthier, more comfortable air that many people find healthier. A natural ventilation system may be either wind-driven or stack. In a wind-driven system, the shape of the building will play an important role in how effectively wind pressure can be used to ventilate the building.  Its location, dimensions, orientation and form must be designed to support this type of system in order for it to work efficiently.

Stack ventilation is based on the difference in temperature in the upper and lower areas of the building. This type of system is comprised of inlets and outlets at the appropriate levels to pull warm or cool air out. The design of the building will determine if this type of ventilation system will work.

Building Automation

Building automation systems are computerized systems that automatically monitor and maintain the operations within the building to reduce operation costs and to save energy. These systems are being increasingly implemented into building designs to monitor HVAC systems, humidity and temperature control, lighting and other energy expenditures to keep them operating efficiently and to prevent the need for repairs and replacements.

Green Building

Green building, or green architecture, is quickly becoming the standard of design concerning constructing commercial buildings. The need for sustainable materials that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are versatile and functional has led to the development of sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials and systems that make it easier for architects to bring their ideas to life.