How safe is your office air? In the recent The New York Times article by Emily Anthes, SOM showcased its commitment to employee health and safety, going beyond the traditional workspace mindset. “As architects, they viewed the office not just as their own workplace, but also as a laboratory,” writes Anthes.

We have implemented advanced air quality sensors that are seamlessly integrated with the ventilation system. These sensors monitor crucial indicators like particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide. This is particularly significant during the pandemic, and the recent Canadian wildfire smoke.

“As architects, we’re learning from this to enhance safety now and make better decisions in future building designs,” says Associate Principal Charles Harris.