Buildings use energy, materials, water, and land to create the right environment for their occupants. All of these things cost money – and all of them have an environmental impact which led to various approaches aiming at minimizing the latter and optimizing the cost.
A very popular such approach is the combination of both passive and active design strategies.
Consider the analogy of a sailboat, which uses natural forces to propel a boat through water. Similarly, you can ‘sail’ your building to a certain extent using natural sources such as daylight, solar energy, natural ventilation etc. which are passive elements before needing purchased energy such as electricity, forced Heating and Ventilation systems etc.
A smaller sailboat requires less building materials and can go a longer way on the same natural sources.
At the forefront of passive sustainable measures for buildings lie the footprint of a building and the flexibility of the building to adapt to changing functions and growth for longer-term use, which the United Nations Systems recognizes as one of the critical steps towards creating a more environmentally responsible organization.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us an important lesson - work is not confined to a physical office but can be performed from anywhere. Building on this understanding and acknowledging the achievements of Flexible Workspace Strategies at the UN Secretariat, the UNSDG has established the framework for the Hybrid Workplace Model.
Developed by the UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) and the Task Team on Common Premises and Facilities Services (TTCP+FS) at the request of the Business Innovations Strategic Results Group (BIG), the Hybrid Workplace Model offers a comprehensive set of tools to assist UN entities in estimating their space requirements with a consideration to the efficient and flexible use of space.
At the core of the methodology is the implementation of a rotational remote work schedule, which directly leads to a decreased daily presence in the office and a changed office design concept. This ultimately translates to a reduced office footprint and less commutes to work.
In conjunction with the Hybrid Workplace Model, the consolidation of UN offices into Common Premises which implies accommodating multiple UN entities within shared office spaces, reinforces sustainability goals and operational efficiency. Common Premises, promotes collaboration, resource sharing, and streamlined operations.
The shift to the Hybrid Workplace Model and Common Premises goes beyond sustainability and the efficient use of resources and space. It offers numerous benefits, including cost savings, improved efficiency, and a more harmonized UN presence in each location. By embracing remote work, shared workstations, and flexible working hours, the UN optimizes office space, reducing the need for extensive construction and minimizing the environmental footprint.
Ultimately every square foot of building occupied has a carbon footprint for its construction and for its operation and maintenance. These initiatives offer a unique opportunity to create a more environmentally friendly and collaborative future, setting the stage for a greener and more efficient organization.
To promote understanding and adoption of these new approaches, UNDCO, the TTCP+FS and the UN System Staff College (UNSSC) have collaborated to develop a self-paced learning programme open for all staff members, which covers essential topics on Common Premises as a pillar of the UN reform, including the Hybrid Work Model fundamentals. You are welcome to sign up for the course on the UNSCC website via this link.
This story is brought to you by UNDCO