In today’s workplace, both human health and sustainability are key factors for numerous reasons, according to Hillhouse Construction founder Ken Huesby. They respect both the environment as a whole and the people living and working in these buildings. Ken Huesby’s “design-build” approach considers indoor air quality, daylight harvesting (natural light), energy efficiency, thermal comfort, waste and water management, and eco-friendly building materials. Ken says the younger workforce is keenly aware of doing the right thing when it comes to sustainability; employers/building owners, in the race to attract and hire them, are equally concerned. He adds that there is a lot of soft data out there substantiating how health and wellness in the built environment affects employees; the unofficial conclusion seems to be that a healthy building makes for a more focused, creative and productive workforce. Exhibit A: 415 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale; at 33k SF, it’s a 1970s racquetball building that has been converted to a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) office space. That means that it can generate as much (or more) energy through renewable sources than it consumes, or can simply be self-sustaining, producing enough energy to run on its own. The California Energy Commission contributed $1.5M to the project, viewing it as a model strategy for outmoded buildings. For more information on our Bisnow partner, click here.