Past the Green Wall: Google Pittsburgh’s Biophilic Workplace

AIA Build Pittsburgh 2017

Past the Green Wall: Google Pittsburgh’s Biophilic Workplace

-Wall_BP17

Pete Jefferson, Kate Malmgren, Connor Glass

April 5, 2017

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The status quo in workplace design leaves most occupants disconnected from nature. An early movement towards biophilic design is happening, but many early adopters have not gone much further than a signature "green wall" in their incorporation of biophilia. Google's Real Estate & Workplace Services (REWS) Team is challenged to create amazing work environments that inspire and energize Googlers to be at their best every day. In support of this mission, the REWS team created Google's Biophilic Design Framework. This new framework was piloted in Google's new "Bakery Square 2.0" expansion in Pittsburgh, which is targeting certification under LEED v4 ID+C.

This session will also detail how and why ethnography, workplace strategy, and workshops were leveraged to understand the organization's culture and workspace needs. The presenters will illustrate some of the findings and how analytics were performed to support the design strategies.

The presenters will demonstrate examples of the elements of biophilia that were incorporated into the design that went far beyond "the green wall." In closing, a discussion of "what's next" will describe how feedback and post-occupancy evaluations will affect the use and fine tuning of the space.

CourseDescription

LearningObjectives

1) Identify resources, team structures, and process that result in greater level

of biophilic integration.

2) Communicate why an organization should see biophilia as integral to their

mission.

3) Cite examples of how biophilic principles such as alliesthesia, thermal/airflow

variability, and dynamic daylighting increases occupant thermal comfort,

health and well being.

4) Identify opportunities and challenges that result from incorporating biophilic

principles into material selection.

At the end of the this course, participants will be able to:

Biophilia!

Title – Adjust Box to Fit

WHY BIOPHILIC DESIGN

For more than 99% of human evolutionary history, people’s bodies, minds, and senses have largely evolved in response to nature.

Research increasingly shows that regular access to nature improves our health, happiness, and performance.

Credit: Terrapin

GOOGLE’SBIOPHILIC DESIGN FRAMEWORK 2.0Integrating nature with design to create habitats where people thrive

Judith Heerwage

n

Stephen Kellert

ENHANCED CREATIVITY &

PROBLEM SOLVING

IMPROVED COGNITIVE

FUNCTIONINGREDUCEDSTRESS

POSITIVE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE

HEIGHTENED APPRECIATION FOR NATURE

DESIRED OUTCOMES

Google confidential and proprietary

Credit: Colin Cubitt/Flickr

NATURAL ELEMENTSEXPERIENCES WITH ORGANISMS,

OBJECTS AND PROPERTIES OF NATURE

NATURAL PATTERNSANALOGUES OR ABSTRACTIONS OF

NATURAL ORGANISMS, ORGANIZATION AND SYSTEMS

ELEMENTS OF SPACE AND PLACE

COMMON SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN NATURE

Examples:Plants & AnimalsWater

Examples:Organic Forms & PatternsNatural Materials & Textures

Examples:Refuge SpacesProspect Views

ELEMENTSPALETTE OF OPTIONS


It’s not just about plants!

Prospect & Refuge Ecotone

Natural forms & Patterns

Alliesthesia

BAKERY SQUARE 2.0FACTS


Google occupied first building in 2011 – Bakery Square 1.0

New building connected by sky bridge above Penn Ave

Scope of project limited to tenant finish and some exterior zones


HOW

Owner’s Project

Requirements

Design Construction

Operation

RFP

BAKERY SQUARE 2.0

Program Design Contract Build FF&E Occupy

BAKERY SQUARE 2.0

60-80%

Of occupants have information

they want to share

105 Average number of

lessons learned per study

Average of 20 ethnographic studies completed by Forte Building Science.

Discovery

Program Design Contrac

t Build FF&E Occupy

BAKERY SQUARE 2.0

BIG data

Global workplace design survey

small data

Most projects serve an existing population.

ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGIST

ANTHROPOLOGIST

Ethnography is a research method used to understand social and cultural life.

Environmental psychology is an interdisciplinary field that focused on the interplay between individuals and their surroundings.

Anthropology the comparative study of humans, including our physical form, our societies and cultures and the ways we manipulate our environments, in all their various manifestations across human history.

BAKERY SQUARE 2.0

BAKERY SQUARE 1.0

Credit: Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette

Circulation space/pathway1

BIEQ + C: The artificial bamboo here is painted white, limiting the biophilia benefits had it been painted to match the color of actual bamboo. However the associated story is humorous and suggestive of Google Pittsburgh's playful culture.

ETHNOGRAPHY

LW: Layout/WayfindingFM: Furniture/MaterialsBS: Building Systems – active & passiveOM: Operations & MaintenanceBIEQ: Biophilia & Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)C: CultureA: Amenities

Circulation space/pathway2

BIEQ + BS + LW: The mesh curtains that line the circulation space/pathway that runs right through the heads-down work areas have minimal effectiveness in terms of acting as a visual and sound barrier according to the Googlers.

Both movement and sound are still detected through the barriers. They also minimize the benefit obtained from the suggestive tree canopy for those Googlers sitting adjacent to the corridor.

ETHNOGRAPHYLW: Layout/WayfindingFM: Furniture/MaterialsBS: Building Systems – active & passiveOM: Operations & MaintenanceBIEQ: Biophilia & Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)C: CultureA: Amenities

What do Googlers value about biophilia?

Credit: Phipps Conservatory

INSPIRE INSIGHT(Complexity and order)

(Biomorphic forms and patterns)

REFUGE!

PRIORITIES

Putting it all together

HUMAN EXPERIENCE

IT ALL STARTS WITH…

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

DATA + BIOPHILIA + CHOICE

MANAGING SCALEWhether you and your neighbor need a one-on-one session, or your entire team needs to be briefed, there will always be a perfect room for your needs.

Team Room

Meeting Room

HACKABILITYWORKPLACE DESIGN

LIGHTING

Personal Task Lighting

Each Googler is provided an adjustable, energy efficient, overhead task light. Traditional desk top lights provide direct illumination at the work surface. Having a greater ability to adjust lighting in planes directly behind your digital displays can help minimize eyestrain, and it won’t add too much additional energy use!

How to Adjust the Light

The light is hardwired so it cannot be unplugged, but a

length of cord is provided as well as an adjustable clamp.

You can move your lamp along the truss as the cord

allows and control the lighting levels with the dimmer switch

located on the vertical truss support near your desk.

Always be mindful of neighbors!

THERMAL COMFORTALLIESTHESIA

Alliesthesia: alliós (changed) + esthesia (sensation)

• Sensory pleasure from variation• Ex: thermal, visual, sound, sight, smell

THERMAL COMFORTALLIESTHESIA

Move from thermal monotony to thermal delight.

Design Response:• Air movement• Natural ventilation• Dynamic light• Thermal variability

CONCEPTFRACTALS

SCALE

ARCHITECTURE

ELEMENTS OF BIOPHILIABiophilia is a humans innate connection to other living things and it is the basis of our design for Bakery Square 2.0. What this means is we designed your space with nature in mind, using healthy and non-intrusive materials.

Fractal patterns and the Fibonacci sequence influenced the design of your staircase!

The natural curves and formations of Pittsburgh’s topography influenced the shaping of your corridors.

Natural landscapes indigenous to Pittsburgh were the inspiration for floor themes.

GRAPHIC DESIGN PATTERNS AND THEIR INSPIRATION

IMPROVING THERMAL COMFORTSimple ceiling fans generate ambient air flow and improve thermal comfort while allowing building temperature controls to be set at higher levels for lower energy use

DAYLIGHT HARVESTING AND USER CONTROLThe truss canopy houses both indirect LED ambient lighting with zoned dimming for daylight harvesting and user controlled point source lighting

USER DRIVEN FLEXIBILITY AND HACKABLILITYA hackable truss system provides a framework for user driven flexibility with strategically limited variation to support different work styles and maintain visual organization

IMPROVING MATERIAL HEALTHShelving and desk tops are made from locally forested and manufactured hard woods improving material health

MAXIMIZING COMFORTSolar shading is leveraged to minimize eye strain and brightness contrast as well as maximizing the use of natural day lighting

Google: Bakery SquarePittsburgh, Pennsylvania

IMPROVING ACOUSTICAL PERFORMANCEArticulated ceiling assemblies inspired by Pittsburgh typography while providing lighting and improving acoustical performance

CELEBRATE PITTSBURGH’S MICRO COMMUNITIES Environmental graphics celebrate Pittsburgh’s micro communities

IMPROVED THERMAL COMFORTOperable doors with hold opens and screens provide opportunities for natural airflow and improved thermal comfort

COMFORTABLE REFUGEFurniture is employed to provide a comfortable refuge to support relaxed work postures while maintaining views to the exterior roof terrace.

VISUAL CONNECTIONS TO NATURAL TEXTURESIMPROVING SENSORY EXPERIENCESalvaged wood planks from water towers and organic sculpted carpet patterns provide visual connections to natural textures and materials improving sensory experience.

STAIRCASE DESIGN & INSPIRATION


Post Occupancy

“The number one complaint is by far the glare and heat caused by the natural light. The shades are ineffective in shielding the

eyes during peak times.”- BS 2.0 Googlers & REWS

Issue: Occupant setup monitor parallel to southeast glazing.

Solution: Monitors adjusted to 20° from parallel (also noted in Google standards).

“The number one complaint is by far the glare and heat caused by the natural light. The shades are ineffective in shielding the

eyes during peak times.”- BS 2.0 Googlers & REWS

“The ceiling fans are awesome, especially since

we figured out how to reverse the air flow.”

- BS 2.0 Googlers

“The felt panels are more popular than we anticipated. We’ve used the 5th floor supply for the 6th floor. There is a lot of space for

personal items, but we still could use more.”- REWS

“The ceiling fans are awesome, especially since

we figured out how to reverse the air flow.”

- BS 2.0 Googlers

“So far the space has proven really easy for us to move into and manage

from a Facilities point of view.”- REWS

“So far the space has proven really easy for us to move into and manage

from a Facilities point of view.”- REWS

“The biggest win is the separation of the workplace

from traffic flow.”- BS 2.0 Googler

“I love the angled corridor walls.They’re going to need to be

dusted well...”- BS 2.0 Googler

“My favorite spot is the tree house cubby, although the lighting is harsh

for computer screens.”- BS 2.0 Googler

“I love the angled corridor walls.They’re going to need to be

dusted well...”- BS 2.0 Googler

“What? It’s a great spot, it’s quiet and sunny, it improves my

mood. It’s also very Zen. And it’s not that far from our seats, just over the

bridge.”- BS 1.0 Googler

“The micro-kitchen is beautiful. I love the colors, it’s awesome. It’s too big actually, and could have been designed better for large public events. There are

some nitpicky changes I’d like to make.”- Craig, Parkhurst Dining




“The recent TGIF event on the BS 2.0 outdoor terrace drew more people than ever before,and most of them came over from BS

1.0.”

- REWS

“The micro-kitchen is beautiful. I love the colors, it’s awesome. It’s too big actually, and could have been designed better for large public events. There are

some nitpicky changes I’d like to make.”- Craig, Parkhurst Dining




POE

PITTSBURGH BAKERY SQUARE 2.0 EXPANSION: POE FINDINGS

33

• Separation of workplace and high-traffic area

• Ability to self-orient desks in pod area• Hanging felt panels at desks• Blinds on individual window controls• Ceiling fans• Variety and quality of destination spaces• Team rooms• Open & enclosed lounges• Outdoor roof terrace• Massage chairs (2 person meetings!)• Walk-stations• Fitness center layout and design• Look & feel• Connecting stair• Wayfinding/ signage• Storage- copy/ print areas and facilities• Limited number of lighting fixtures• Great mechanical/ HVAC• Info plaques describing design/ naming• Wall graphics

• Missing/ ineffective blinds creating glare• Difficulty in hanging truss accessories• Hanging shelves without a closed back• No specified truss accessories/ hardware• Shelves in team area too narrow• “Windows” into pods awkwardly placed• Want more room for personal items at

desk• No hydration stations for convenience• No 30-p conference/ training room• More 2-3 seat rms (too many phone

rms)• Too many drawers in micro kitchen/ gym• Not enough built in storage in restrooms• Touchdown coding desks awkward• No “occupancy” visual for gym showers• Non adjustable lighting in niches• Accessibility/ access of terrace to elevator• Better lighting/ av/ heating on roof deck• Non-automatic terrace doors• No storage for outdoor furniture• Programming process with departments

(IT)

HITS

MISSES

HITS & MISSES CHECKLISTS

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Pete Jefferson, PE, WELL AP, LEED AP, HBDP

Kate Malmgren, LEED AP (ID+C)

Connor Glass

Past the Green Wall: Google Pittsburgh’s Biophilic Workplace

Design

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