World's Greenest Office Building Is Dutch: The Edge

Summary

The Edge in Amsterdam is heralded as the world's greenest and most connected office building. Powered by advanced technology, it features a smartphone app that streamlines access and workspace assignments through a hot desking system. With solar energy, extensive sensors, and geothermal heating, it embodies sustainability and innovation. Employees can choose from various workspaces, and the building efficiently collects rainwater and supports local wildlife. While some app functionalities still need refinement, The Edge represents a groundbreaking vision of the Internet of Things, promoting an intelligent workspace that prioritizes efficiency and community.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Edge in Amsterdam is the greenest and most connected office building in the world, prioritizing sustainability and technology.
• 📱 Employees use a smartphone app for personalized workspace assignments, reflecting a modern approach to office organization.
• 🚗 The building features automatic entry recognition through license plate scanning and provides electric car charging stations.
• 🛋️ Hot desking allows employees to choose from various workspaces, such as booths, meeting rooms, and outdoor areas, based on their daily schedules.
• 💡 Lighting adjusts automatically to individual preferences, enhancing comfort and productivity as employees arrive at their designated workspaces.
• 🔌 The Edge's LED light panels are powered by low voltage Ethernet cables, creating a network of 288,000 sensors that improve user experiences.
• 🌞 Solar panels on the roof and walls generate enough energy to power the building and its employees' devices, promoting renewable energy use.
• 🌊 A geothermal system utilizes boreholes to provide heating and cooling, optimizing energy efficiency throughout the year.
• 🐝 The building supports biodiversity with beehive towers and bat homes, while rainwater is collected for irrigation and toilet flushing.
• 🔮 The vision for the future includes building smarter structures that use less energy and focus on community and task-oriented workspaces.

Q & A

What is The Edge, and why is it considered unique?

The Edge is considered the greenest and most connected office building in the world, primarily due to its advanced technology, sustainability features, and innovative workspace design.

How does the smartphone app enhance the user experience at The Edge?

The app recognizes users upon arrival through license plate recognition, allowing for automatic access. It also helps manage workspace assignments based on users' schedules and preferences.

What is the concept of hot desking implemented at The Edge?

Hot desking means that employees do not have assigned desks; instead, workspaces are allocated based on daily schedules, allowing for more efficient use of space.

What technology underpins the building's lighting system?

The lighting system is powered by low-voltage Ethernet cables and consists of LED light panels developed by Philips, which also serve as internet-connected data hubs.

How does The Edge contribute to sustainability?

The Edge features solar panels, rainwater collection systems, geothermal heating, and local biodiversity support, such as beehive towers and bat homes, making it highly sustainable.

What innovative heating system is used in The Edge?

The building uses an innovative geothermal heating system that pumps warm water deep into the aquifer during summer and extracts it in winter for heating.

What is the role of the custom security robot at The Edge?

The custom security robot, resembling R2-D2, patrols the building after hours, ensuring security and safety for the premises.

What does the Dutch term 'new AA' refer to in the context of The Edge?

In Dutch, 'new AA' refers to a modern approach to workspaces that emphasizes task-focused environments and community involvement in the workplace.

What challenges exist with the app's functionality at The Edge?

While the app generally runs seamlessly, some functionalities are still being developed and may not be fully operational yet.

What future plans do the builders of The Edge have?

The builders plan to develop more intelligent buildings that utilize energy more efficiently, ultimately reducing the need for new constructions and enhancing the sustainability of existing ones.