Achieving Sustainable Environment and Health in High-Rise Office Buildings

Poor working environments in high-rise office buildings can result in low working efficiency, loss of productivity, waste of energy and even health problems. In this paper some means by which sustainable environment and health can be achieved in high-rise office buildings are described. Locating the service-core at the periphery of buildings can save a great deal of energy and bring natural daylight and fresh air into the service area. An atrium can provide more natural light, fresh air and communication spaces contributing to a healthy work environment and low energy usage. As a passive, low energy design, the climate facade can provide natural ventilation and solar gain, thereby reducing the energy input required for climate control within the building. Landscaping confers aesthetic, ecological and energy conservation advantages in office building.