Besides being one of the more famous cases of breaking and entering, what is the one thing Goldilocks is known for? No, not her love of porridge or under-the-covers naps. It is her persnickety nature that shines through most and, as much as we may not want to admit it, we all have a little bit of that Goldilocks mentality in us.
Especially when it comes to shared spaces like offices. For some it’s too hot, for others it’s too cold. It’s too bright, too dark, too loud, or too quiet; in a given office, how many people are actually comfortable with their surrounding environment? In a supposed place of productivity, such as an office, it isn’t just an inconvenience to be uncomfortable; it can quickly become a hindrance to getting work done.
But what’s the solution? We aren’t all as fortunate as our friend Goldilocks and have a few different options to pick from in order to find the one that best suits us. Or are we? Many offices have begun to implement an open office floor plan, meaning there are no assigned seats or workspaces. You can change where you sit and work on a day-to-day or hour by hour basis, meaning if it is too noisy or cold in one area, its possible to just pick up and move to another quieter or warmer area.
But therein lies the next issue, how do you find that quieter, warmer spot? That’s where Goldilocks comes in. No, not the Goldilocks, but the proprietary sensor technology developed by NBBJ to help employees find the perfect spot in the office, the one that is just right.
Inside its 140 Broadway offices in New York City, NBBJ installed over 50 sensors to collect data and track light levels, humidity and motion, and sound. According to NBBJ, they are the only company to incorporate sound into a sensor of this type. And considering the fact that noise is the number one complaint in the workplace, this addition of sound sensors seems like one of those why-hasn’t-anyone-done-this-before type additions.
So, where does all of this information the sensors are collecting go? Right to the accompanying app (compatible with Apple or Android smartphones) in real-time. If you get to the office and decide you require a workspace that is bright and warm, simply fire up the app, set the parameters to warm and bright, and you will be shown the best spots in the office that match exactly what you are looking for.
Not only are these sensors a solution for employees to use on a daily basis, but the information gathered, especially the information about sound, can also be used to better design spaces in the future.
Photo courtesy of NBBJ
Photo courtesy of NBBJ
Photo courtesy of NBBJ
Related Stories
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | May 3, 2022
For glass openings, how big is too big?
Advances in glazing materials and glass building systems offer a seemingly unlimited horizon for not only glass performance, but also for the size and extent of these light, transparent forms. Both for enclosures and for indoor environments, novel products and assemblies allow for more glass and less opaque structure—often in places that previously limited their use.
Architects | May 3, 2022
A U.K.-based design firm flaunts industrialized construction as it expands into U.S.
Bryden Wood wants to set up a network for manufactured components for repeatable building types.
Concrete Technology | Apr 19, 2022
SGH’s Applied Science & Research Center achieves ISO 17025 accreditation for concrete testing procedures
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger’s (SGH) Applied Science & Research Center recently received ISO/IEC17025 accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for several concrete testing methods.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Apr 19, 2022
Multi-story building systems and selection criteria
This course outlines the attributes, functions, benefits, limits, and acoustic qualities of composite deck slabs. It reviews the three primary types of composite systems that represent the full range of long-span composite floor systems and examines the criteria for their selection, design, and engineering.
Wood | Apr 13, 2022
Mass timber: Multifamily’s next big building system
Mass timber construction experts offer advice on how to use prefabricated wood systems to help you reach for the heights with your next apartment or condominium project.
AEC Tech | Apr 13, 2022
Morphosis designs EV charging station for automaker Genesis
LA-based design and architecture firm Morphosis has partnered with automotive luxury brand Genesis to bring their signature brand and styling, attention-to-detail, and seamless customer experience to the design of Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Stations.
AEC Tech | Apr 13, 2022
A robot automates elevator installation
Schindler—which manufactures and installs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways—has created a robot called R.I.S.E. (robotic installation system for elevators) to help install lifts in high-rise buildings.
Building Tech | Apr 6, 2022
Autodesk Construction Cloud Introduces New Data Sharing Capabilities to Transform Construction Collaboration
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today launched Bridge, a new collaboration capability that empowers construction teams to share only relevant data with project stakeholders, regardless of whether they are on the same team or building project within Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Modular Building | Mar 31, 2022
Rick Murdock’s dream multifamily housing factory
Modular housing leader Rick Murdock had a vision: Why not use robotic systems to automate the production of affordable modular housing? Now that vision is a reality.
Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2022
Dept. of Energy awards $32 million for next-generation building retrofits
The U.S. Dept. of Energy has awarded a total of $32 million for more than 30 next-generation building retrofit projects that will dramatically improve affordable housing technologies, according to a DOE news release.