[PhantomGremlin]

Article doesn't discuss the awful energy efficiency of modern office buildings. I've experienced it first hand. Roof is uninsulated, AC return thru ceiling, poorly insulated fresh air ducts, few thermostats, no ability to have different zones.

In summer anything near windows is sweltering, but the core of the building is too cool. In winter the poorly insulated fresh air ducts blast residual cold air when the heating kicks on, and the areas near windows are hard to keep warm.

Bah. Climate control is primitive, in both offices and houses. I dunno, maybe LEED is a solution, but I have no first-hand experience with it.

[saeranv]

Agree totally. LEED is probably a step in the right direction, I don't know much about it myself, but it seems like it'll help since indoor comfort and energy efficiency goes hand in hand.

Personally I'm interested in looking at ways to integrate mechanical energy systems, environmental sensors, monitors with passive energy transfers and strategies so we could (a) cut energy usage and (b) achieve greater indoor comfort due to the far superior self-regulating effects of passive energy. There are ways of absorbing and transferring energy (external and internal gains) around the building that would not only equilibrate the office better, but would also allow us to recycle energy efficiently. That's where I think we need to go. Which, I believe, is beyond LEED at this point.