From grey skies to green spaces: Smog-smart architecture for building healthier workplaces

Abstract

This study proposes environmental sustainability and human-oriented design to be incorporated in the design of a smog-resilient corporate campus of an IT company in Lahore. This research exploration suggests an architectural regime that may counter this environmental degradation issue besides improving the well-being of the occupants ecologically using sensitive design intercession. Research methodologically is a case-based study that examines international precedents where successful applications of sustainable and biophilic design strategies have been applied in polluted urban environments. The principles of biophilic design are integrated into the built environment at large to facilitate psychological well-being, enhance work place satisfaction and as a way of facilitating a closer human-nature relationship in the workplace. Other innovations include green roofs, vegetative layers and water efficient systems that aid in air purification, biodiversity in the city and conservation of resources. The findings may add to conceptual and technical formulation of the proposed design which is placed as an example of an environmentally-responsible corporate architecture. The proposed design may act as a model of sustainable urban development, since it combines the environmental performance with the well-being of the people who would use the buildings.