Done Deals makes us ask ourselves…who in CREW are we doing business with? Too often we don’t even realize we have achieved the greatest goal of the organization, or just don’t want to be recognized for it. Well, we want to hear about it. Email your Done Deals to Tara Burns.
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Every month, the CREW Column is published in The San Diego Daily Transcript- we like to think of it as a revolving door of topics for the commercial real estate professional. Topics in the CREW Column range from leasing regulations to networking to building design.
So, what do you know? Is there a topic, project, challenge you’ve been working on in your field that you’d like to inform us about? The CREW Column is open to all CREW members, all disciplines and we need writers to contribute. Contact Tara for more information.
Check out our August CREW Column, with Artrageous! owner (and recently published Corporate Art book author) Barbara Markoff.
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A.O. Reed & Co., a nationally recognized MSCA GreenStar Contractor, proudly named “2010 Industry Champions” by SDG&E at the 2010 Energy Showcase Awards.
“A.O. Reed & Co. saved their clients well over 3 million kWh and received over $300,000 in rebates and incentives by partnering with SDG&E on five programs,” said Hal Snyder, vice president of customer solutions for SDG&E, during the awards luncheon on May 18. “Comprehensive energy savings solutions and leveraging SDG&E incentives in now part of their culture.”
A.O. Reed & Co. has embraced their clients in an energy efficiency partnership- The San Diego Museum of Art, Kyocera America, Time Warner, CB Richard Ellis and others-where the energy efficiency culture permeates through the operation of the client to deliver results.
“A.O. Reed & Co. walked the talk by investing in substantial sustainable energy saving retrofits to their own buildings, including mechanical, lighting, window tint, cool roof and photovoltaic”, said Snyder.
With 97 years in the mechanical business, A.O. Reed & Co. continues with their core values of integrity, education, creativity, and always doing the right thing. Incorporating the energy efficiency and sustainability to their core values has set A.O. Reed & Co. apart from their competitors.
Congratulations to A.O. Reed & Co. for winning the SDG&E 2010 Industry Champion Award!
Along with A.O. Reed & Co. other award winners were Life Technologies, High Tech High, The Irvine Company, La Costa Resort & Spa, NASSCO, Nordstrom, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, UC San Diego, Capistrano Unified School District, and the V.A. Medical Center.
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VIEW PRESS RELEASE
CREW San Diego would like to wish Arborwell congratulations!
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By ANNE BENGE and TIFFANY ENGLISH, CREW San Diego
Thursday, August 26, 201
 The recession dealt a lot of hard lessons, but frugality is one that can well serve business and building owners in perpetuity. A simple, often overlooked way to optimize business profits is to modify existing workspace. Studies show that providing an efficient and inspiring interior space can increase work force productivity and reduce absenteeism. For building owners, minor modifications can make a big improvement to the value of the real estate asset.
Your interior space
Study after study has demonstrated that test scores improve, retail purchases increase and, most importantly to the business owner, worker productivity goes up when a building lets in sunlight. This might mean moving offices and workstations to the perimeter of your space and meeting rooms to the center, and/or eliminating unnecessary window coverings.
Other ways to optimize productivity are to place departments that work together in close proximity, and seasoned workers next to young employees to encourage a mentoring relationship.
For interior furnishings, consider repurposing or refurbishing unwanted pieces and/or purchasing gently used pieces. Not only will this keep costs down, but it is also good for the environment.
If your company is growing and you are looking to increase space, consider avoiding or postponing the costs of finding a new office by using movable walls to configure and reconfigure the office.
If you have extra space in the office and can still afford to carry the lease or mortgage, consider how that space could be utilized to further accommodate and optimize the existing work force. Game rooms, lounges and meeting rooms are popular choices, but employees themselves might come up with some great ideas, too.
Reducing absenteeism
Implementing some principles of sustainable design can go a long way toward reducing absenteeism. Sick building syndrome describes when occupants of a building experience adverse health and comfort impacts from spending time inside a building. Extreme cases of airborne contaminants in some buildings have led to serious health conditions and widespread absenteeism.
As much as possible, business owners should avoid using volatile organic compounds that off-gas in the workspace. This includes paint, carpet, upholstery and more. Landlords are increasingly sensitive to this issue and may be willing to help out if changes need to be made.
Natural ventilation also helps reduce buildup of off-gassing materials, but lessees may not have control over whether their building offers operable windows.
As much as possible, create a pleasant environment for your employees so that they perceive coming to work as a positive experience. Think about how you feel stepping into an office with good lighting, attractive furnishings and interesting wall hangings as opposed to a stark, institutional-looking office.
For building owners
Building owners can increase the value of their real estate asset and the likelihood of occupancy and/or sale with simple, frugal aesthetic and systematic modifications.
Though not always low cost, upgrades to building systems like HVAC, electrical, plumbing and mechanical can save you and your tenants money in the long run. In a competitive leasing market, lower utility bills will surely provide an advantage for attracting a tenant over buildings with outdated building systems. The same goes for planting drought-resistant landscaping around the building rather than plants that require a lot of water.
In terms of interior finishes, carpet tiles can be a great alternative to wall to wall carpeting. If the carpet gets worn or stained in one area, you can replace just one carpet tile rather than an entire room full of carpet. Interior finishes should also be neutral in color and timeless in design to avoid making the space seem outdated just a few years in the future.
Curb appeal is just as important for office buildings as it is for houses. Investment in attractive landscaping and a polished entrance can increase the value of the building, encourage quicker leasing and create a sense of pride among the work force. The cosmetic nature of this work will likely save money over doing a larger remodel.
Other focal points of the building, such as courtyards, lobbies and elevators, can also provide the benefits listed above with the right cosmetic touches and care.
Finally, sustainable design is here to stay, and buildings that have a LEED rating or just a lot of sustainable design features will be more attractive to tenants and buyers now and in the future. You should consider engaging a consultant to perform a comprehensive audit demonstrating how the real estate asset could become “greener,” and then determine where you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck.
Benge is a principal in the San Diego office of Unisource Solutions and the president of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) San Diego. English, CID, LEED AP, is director of interior architecture and design for Ware Malcomb.
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