HP Innovation Journal Issue 13: Winter 2019 | Page 24

A WELL BUILDING, WELL EMPLOYEES
Internal systems at the new campus were designed for
employees’ comfort and well-being. Heating, AC and
lighting can be customized throughout, and carbon dioxide
monitors in large conference rooms trigger a release of fresh
air when the room gets stuffy—a welcome development for
anyone who’s ever dragged at the end of a long meeting. “All
of these systems are affecting your overall wellness,” says
Laura Beth Mertz, PDR’s amenities design lead.
HP and PDR were also methodical in lighting choices. Design-
ers focused on getting the right amount of light on horizontal
and vertical surfaces to have a positive impact on employees’
circadian rhythm. The goal: keeping employees alert at work,
and helping them rest easier at night.
These systems at the new campus are powered by 100%
green energy and have already achieved a nearly 40%
reduction in water use from the baseline standard. This
represents a key step toward achieving HP’s organiza-
tion-wide sustainability goals, including using 100%
renewable electricity, reducing freshwater consump-
tion globally by 15% and reducing the company’s global
carbon emissions by 25%. The goal for this building,
and all new HP buildings, is to design to meet LEED
Gold v4 standards.
Sustainability features in Houston also include plumbing
fixtures that provide for a lower flow of water; motorized,
timed smart shades on windows that automatically adjust
using daylight sensors; and a parking garage outfitted with
electric vehicle chargers. Almost all of the lighting is LED,
contributing to improved energy performance. Power to
outlets throughout the buildings can also be set to a timer
so they’re not being charged overnight when not in use.
A HOME FOR INNOVATION
Along with a sustainable design, the Houston campus is
also designed to let innovation and creativity flourish.
“Plants, natural light and
natural materials have a positive
influence on people’s mood.”
—LAURA DELAFUENTE
HP’s Head of Workplace Strategy and Experience
HP SOLUTIONS FOR
TODAY’S OFFICE
HP’s workplace strategy and experience team worked
with a core sample group of its Houston employees to
understand how they work and the ways in which a new
space could enhance their day-to-day experience. What
they found was that one size doesn’t fit all: The more
complex an employee’s work, the better it is for them
to be able to work in multiple settings. A recent report
found 66% of employees who work in a variety of stations
in their office said they work more effectively.
The modern office: It has evolved from traditional offices
to rows of cubicles to open coworking spaces. New work
models, cost structures, and shifting demographics are
pushing further changes. So, too, is a heightened sense
of corporate responsibility that is supported—and often
demanded—by a socially conscious workforce.
According to a global survey published by HP, 61% of
respondents believe sustainability is mandatory for
businesses, 1 and 56% believe that ignoring environmental
impact in the workplace is as bad as ignoring diversity and
inclusion. In addition, 58% said that environmentally con-
scious practices are key to engaging the future workforce.
JUDY GLAZER
Global Head of Sustainability
& Product Compliance, HP
22
HP Innovation Journal Issue 13
To keep up, companies must assess their current work-
spaces and change pace. Companies like HP are creating
more sustainable workplaces by evolving everything
from building design to technology selection to business