Quick Guide to Green TI's

City Green Building has developed a suite of Quick Guides to Tenant Improvements (TI) to help project managers, owners, interior designers and architects apply sustainable building practices to commercial remodel projects. The guides work equally well for new interior construction or renovation. Each guide includes an overview of a topic, key benefits and strategies, quick facts, a case study, an implementation checklist, additional resources and potential LEED-CI credits. By incorporating multiple strategies from a number of TI guides, owners, tenants and occupants alike will accrue the wide reaching benefits of a high-performance green project.

TI Guides at a Glance 

		00 Introduction — Read about strategies to help you sustainably improve your next tenant improvement project no matter what the size.

		01 Green Lease — A green lease can enhance recruitment, lower healthcare expenses, yield productivity gains and lower operating costs.
		02 Connecting with Nature — Interiors with natural elements foster positive connections between people and enhance physical and mental well being.
		03 Adaptable Design — “Future-proof” office space by providing for the integration and adaptability of various building systems.
		04 Office Equipment — Using energy efficient office equipment reduces energy costs, ambient noise, air-conditioning loads, electromagnetic fields and greenhouse gas emissions while extending equipment life.
		05 HVAC: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning — Energy efficient HVAC equipment can reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and utility costs while increasing thermal comfort and improving indoor air quality.
		06 Lighting — Energy efficient lighting systems can reduce a significant amount of electrical energy costs while enhancing aesthetic design inside and out.
		07 Employee Well-Being — The quality of the indoor environment directly affects employee well-being and performance.
		08 Healthy Building Materials — A healthy workplace is built, furnished and operated to minimize exposure to sub-stances harmful to human health.
		09 Regional Resources — Purchasing locally supports our local economy and reduces transportation costs and emissions.
		10 Construction Waste Management — Many construction, demolition and land-clearing waste materials have high value for salvage and reuse.

Benefits
Green building design practices and management principles can reduce building operating expenses, increase worker productivity and asset value. The improved indoor air quality found in most green buildings contributes to occupant health and well-being, often leading to lower staff-related overhead costs such as sick days and health-insurance premiums.

Green building design and materials can also reduce energy and water consumption and the release of toxins and greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change. By raising environmental awareness among occupants and visitors, green building design frequently contributes to a more vibrant and connected community.

Quick Fact
Given the average commercial lease of five years, modern office buildings typically have at least one interior space renovation underway at all times.