The Edge (Amsterdam): The World's Greenest Office Building And How?

 

In a city famous for canals, bikes, and innovation, there is also found one of the most future-proof and green buildings in the world: The Edge. Known as the world's greenest office building, The Edge has set new standards for green building in the workplace. 

Carefully crafted to minimize energy use but maximize user satisfaction and integration of clever technology, this office is not merely a building it's a template for future offices.

But why is The Edge so "green"? How does it minimize its carbon footprint but maximize productivity and comfort? And how did it achieve the world's highest BREEAM sustainability rating?

Let's take a look at how this marvel of smart and green building was built and what the rest of us can learn from it.

An Introduction to The Edge:

The Edge is located in Amsterdam's Zuidas business district and serves as Deloitte's European headquarters. 

It was finished in 2015 and has approximately 40,000 square meters (430,000 square feet) of floor space and was designed by London-based architecture firm PLP Architecture, with developer OVG Real Estate.

Its aim was not just to meet sustainability standards but to establish new ones. 

The building attained a record 98.36% BREEAM rating, the highest till then for any office building anywhere in the world. 

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the oldest-established way worldwide to evaluate, score, and certify the sustainability of buildings.

Designing for Maximum Efficiency and Minimal Impact:

From its façade to its foundation, everything about The Edge is meticulously designed for energy efficiency and harmony with the environment.

#1 Intelligent Façade and Daylight Optimization:

The building's exterior is a smart skin that captures maximum natural light and reduces artificial light usage to a minimum. 

There are more solid surfaces on the south façade to bounce unwanted sunshine away, and the north-facing façade has more glass to allow daylight in.

This design will guarantee that interior spaces are filled with daylight during the day to reduce dependency on energy-consuming lighting systems. 

Sunlight-sensing blinds and motorized louvers adaptively respond to sunlight levels to maintain the building's coolness without excessive use of air conditioning.

#2 Integration of Solar Power:

One of the biggest advantages of The Edge is the fact that it utilizes enormous amounts of solar energy. 

The building has 65,000 square feet of solar panels covering the roof and in the nearby University of Amsterdam building. 

The solar array generates more electricity than The Edge consumes, so it is a net-positive energy building. 

This extra energy can be distributed or stored for future use, reducing the building's reliance on the municipal power grid.

#3 Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES):

The Edge uses a cutting-edge Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system a eco-friendly method of heating and cooling. 

Groundwater from aquifers is pumped and kept in two separate wells: one for hot water and the other for cold. 

In summer, the indoor temperature is cooled by cold water, and in winter, warm water helps heat the building.

This underground thermal battery can reduce energy consumption for climate control by up to 90% compared to traditional systems.

Smart Technology in Its Core:

The Edge isn't just green it's intelligent. 

The building is perhaps the most connected office in the world, with over 28,000 sensors embedded in ceilings, walls, and desks.

#1 Customized Work Environment:

Staff work with a smartphone app developed by Deloitte that connects them to the building infrastructure. 

With the app, they can:

• Book a desk or meeting room
• Adjust lighting and heating in their immediate area
• Find colleagues in real time
• Order lunch or view transport options

The app tweaks the environment to taste, boosting staff comfort and productivity.

#2 Smart Lighting with PoE (Power over Ethernet):

The building is lit by Ethernet cable-powered LED panels, which consume less energy and communicate with the central management system. 

The panels dim and shift color temperature based on time, occupancy, and daylight.

Each fixture is equipped with sensors that monitor motion, humidity, temperature, and carbon dioxide levels. 

These sensors report real-time measurements to optimize resource usage and forecast maintenance needs.

#3 Data-Driven Operations:

All the building's sensors capture goes into a smart analytics platform that simplifies everything from energy usage to cleaning schedules. 

For instance, cleaners receive data on which desks were used that day so they clean where necessary. 

This is also the case for lighting, temperature control, and space use.

Sustainable Materials and Responsible Construction:

The Edge was constructed using green building materials and practices that produced minimal waste and had a reduced carbon imprint. 

Materials were sourced locally where they existed, and interior elements consist of sustainably harvested or recycled wood, steel, and glass.

The building's lifecycle was also addressed during the design. 

It can be adapted or broken down with minimum effort for future reuse without leaving a massive environmental impact.

Health, Wellness, and Employee Productivity:

One of the most creative aspects of The Edge is how it integrates human well-being into its approach to sustainability. 

#1 Biophilic Design:

Indoor gardens, wood paneling, and water features are integrated into interior design to create a sense of calm. 

These biophilic elements lead to less stress and improved cognitive function.

#2 Air and Water Quality:

With smart air quality detection and water filtration systems, The Edge ensures employees have cleaner air to breathe and improved hydration options, both of which are determinants of well-being and focus. 

#3 Flexibility and Mobility:

There are no assigned desks in The Edge. 

It boasts an activity-based working strategy, wherein the workers have the option to choose their place of work based on the task quiet areas for focus, public lounges for collaboration, and private booths for phone calls.

This empowers the workers and reduces unnecessary space, making it more efficient as well as mentally comforting.

Impact on the Industry and the Environment:

Since opening its doors, The Edge has been a global symbol of sustainable architecture. 

It has prompted copycat structures in London, Sydney, and Singapore, each seeking to balance environmental stewardship with cutting-edge technology.

The building has also set Deloitte up as a forward-thinking, sustainable employer, allowing the company to attract top talent and build its corporate reputation.

More generally, The Edge demonstrates that green buildings can be fiscally responsible, technologically advanced, and beneficial to humans and the environment as well.

Challenges and Future Considerations:

While The Edge has set a new standard, it also raises some important questions:

• Data Privacy: With so many sensors tracking activity, how do organizations balance smart building functionality and staff privacy?
• Replicability: Are these smart, green buildings economically scalable in developing countries or less developed, less technologically advanced nations?
• Technological Obsolescence: How do we make these high-tech buildings operate and remain pertinent for decades?

Despite these challenges, The Edge presents a worthy case study of what is possible with sustainability, design, and technology well considered.

Ultimately: The Future Is Already Here

The Edge in Amsterdam isn't just a marvel of design it's a glimpse into the future of workplaces. 

By putting emphasis on energy efficiency, human health, and smart integration, it proves that offices don't have to be resource-hungry or unwelcoming.

Rather, they can be intelligent, responsive, and inspiring.

As cities around the world aim to reduce emissions and meet targets for sustainability, The Edge is a powerful demonstration of what can be done with the right vision, investment, and technology.