WRI India, an organisation working for environmental and socially equitable development, required an office space following principles of environmental sustainability. Nature is brought in with each desk designed to have its own set of air-purifying plants as dividers, preventing sick-building syndrome. As a break from long hours of sitting, few workstations are designed for standing use. All areas were designed to have universal access to create equality, accessibility going beyond apparent physical disability. Platforms in dining were placed at different heights to enable people with different heights an easy usage. Existing furniture was modified to avoid use of virgin materials and for excess furniture requirement fast growing plantation pinewood was used. Handcrafted durable, plantain fibre curtains made from waste generated by the food industry were used. Open seating arrangement was worked out to ensure sufficient daylight and ventilation in all areas. LED lights, brush less DC motor fans and 5 star rated ACs are used to reduce the energy consumption. Water-efficient pedal taps and low-flow showers are used to reduce water consumption. A treatment system has been designed to recycle kitchen water which can then be used to water the indoor plants.
