My new energy-efficient office building
 

My whole department moved into a new office building today - it's supposed to be the most energy-efficient office building of its size (or maybe any size) in the world. There are a few things that are going to take some time getting used to, but it has some very positive features. There are great views out both ends of the building, lots of day-lighting, everything is new (but without the usual new building smell), the windows can actually be opened, etc.

There are also some challenges: the parking is a long way away, the open environment can be distracting, there's a big push to avoid any kind of plug loads.

I think it's going to be very interesting to see how the building and its inhabitants evolve and to find out what works and what doesn't.

Today was like Disney World - there were colorful helium balloons through out the building, we had donuts, bagels, pastry, etc. for breakfast and in the afternoon we had an ice cream social on the balcony. I don't think that will continue, but most everyone seemed glad to be there.

I'll take my camera tomorrow and see if I can get some pictures.

(I was surprised to notice that the Cellar does not have a forum devoted to work-related themes.)

No forum, but several threads...
What's upsetting you today?
What's scorching your groove today?
What's mildly irritating you today?
and
Tales from the Nuthouse: Lest You Think I have a Really Suck Job

There's also:
The New Improved Commute Thread: Video Edition (Quality Images and Video forum)
My Iowa Commute (Cities and Travel forum)
C ouple observations from the morning commute (Home Base)

Maybe we need a Work forum.

Please don't I get enough of work when I'm there.:greenface

Ah, but it could be useful for knowing which threads to avoid.

That's how I deal with the Politics, Entertainment, Health, Parenting, Relationships and Sports forums (well, except for the Bikes! thread).

I've found "open" offices should come equipped with cones of silence. Then you don't have to hear gum-chomping, nacho-eating, snorting, sniffing, coughing, overly-loud guffawing, hissing, crashing, banging, booming, phones off the hooking, gospel music, whispering, bawling, and of course...typing.

If you are in the mood to hear all those things, just raise the cone. If you're trying to concentrate, it better be a damn good cone.

Oh, and a cone of non-smelling would be good too, then no lunches smelling like tuna, salmon, barbeque, cajun, garlic, saffron... all good smells if you're about ready to eat it. Not so much if you're not feeling well or not hungry at all.

No, I'm not pregnant (but I don't feel well.)

;)

I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. Maybe that's where I got it - some kind of stomach thing?

Naw, if you got it from me it's some kind of sore throat headache thing. Funny part, the headache is like a liquid kind of oozing pain on one side of my head only, from my neck up to my temple...like there's something in my ear. Woozy feeling. Ugh.

Same thing I had a CT scan for months ago, and they found nothing.

Maybe it's work. I think I'm allergic. :)

I would love to see pics of the new workplace, though. Ours is old-style cubes and I HATE it. I miss my "real" office.

Open offices can be a problem if your cow-orker prefers asking to thinking. Pete and her cube mate have an avid questioner over the wall from them, her cubie puts on his headphones and pretends to listen to music. Seems pretty smart really, never gets caught up in something needlessly, no hearing loss, and he's never really out of the loop.


Let's see those picks! I'm surprised you guys control your own airflow with the windows, can you describe some of the system stuff?

not sure what "plug loads" are, but they do sound like something to avoid! I can recommend a good stool softener, if you like.

:D

:lol:

Now that was funny!

Maybe that explains the stomach thing! Thanks Cloud.

and I didn't even mention the "big push"!

I'm moving to an open office space in a month, or two, they already have it upstairs so we know how terrible it's going to be - joy.

I guess I'll just spend more time in the lab, I'm the only user so it's more of a private space, and the orange glowing X-ray hazard lights add a nice ambiance.

... and leaving behind the soothing blues of fission ?