United Business Media is seeking LEED Platinum for their new San Francisco Office, creating a change from a “Me Space to We Space” as they adapt their operations from print media to the new digital world. Long gone are the days of the dreaded tall gray cubicles, laid out in puzzle like fashion. The move to digital and mobile technology among the younger employees in companies convinced UBM that collaborative “we” spaces where employees can move around the office and work in multiple locations is more intuitive than the creation of “me.” The new space, designed by Gensler, allows employees clear lines of sight to easily let colleagues interact with one another.
“Colleagues who barely saw each other in our former split level maze now share ideas openly and productively in an atmosphere charged with energy,” says Richard Bowers, UBM’s head of estate management. “We have also halved our real estate costs and are pushing hard for LEED platinum accreditation.”
UBM maintains a strong commitment to sustainable business practices carried throughout the design of their office. UBM used resources from multiple manufactures and suppliers, as well as commissioning local San Francisco street artists to create the bright pieces of art on display throughout the office.
“The UBM office has spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay, and the design leverages natural materials and an open ceiling in much of the space,” notes Erin Cubbison, an Associate at Gensler. “There are no private offices, and conference rooms/amenities are clustered in-board. This allows 96 percent of the space to have views to the outdoors and places real estate consumption 60 percent below average. UBM has reduced the associated operational energy by 10,281 kBtu/person. The reduction in real estate also represents a waste reduction of 111.75 pounds material/person.”
“UBM has implemented a significant carbon tracking program, with smart meters throughout the office allowing for ongoing, in-depth energy performance management,” Cubbison explains. “The project has daylight responsive controls in all regularly occupied spaces within 15 feet of windows and occupancy sensors for 75 percent of the connected lighting load. Overall, the lighting power has been reduced by 35 percent. Through the use of highly efficient fixtures, water consumption has been reduced by 38 percent.”
+ Gensler + United Business Media
