Will Tesla’s Gigafactory be the largest building on Earth?

 

by Michelle Kennedy Hogan, 07/15/15 Tesla is constructing a building completely powered by renewable energy that can hold enough battery power for 500,000 Tesla cars. And it’s going to be huge. It’s quite possible that calling it the Gigafactory is more literal than we initially thought. The original plans for the Gigafactory called for the building to be 10 million square feet. The building will be constructed in modules so the first completed part can be used as a pilot plant while the rest of the building is being completed. But it turns out that 10 million square feet just isn’t enough. And while Tesla has not yet confirmed their plans to go even bigger, Dean Haymore, a representative from the Story County Commission, said Tesla Motors has purchased another 1,200 acres next to the Gigafactory and is looking to purchase 350 more. Related: Take a first look at Tesla’s gigantic Gigafactory in Nevada Haymore said the factory was originally supposed to be just four modular blocks, but now it looks like seven blocks will be built — bringing the total to somewhere around 24 million square-feet of gigaawesomeness (yeah, I made that up). According to Wikipedia, that would make the Gigafactory the largest building in the world. The Tesla Factory in California is second on that list. Although the plans aren’t official, it isn’t shocking; Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, did mention the possibility of adding to the building last quarter. Via Treehugger Images via Steve Jurvetson and Tesla source : www.inhabitat.com

Is Medibank HQ the world's healthiest building to work in?

 

Medibank Place is described as being "hard-wired for health" (Credit: Hassell) Image Gallery (8 images) Australia’s largest health insurer, Medibank, recently moved into a new HQ that is claimed to be one of the healthiest workplaces in the world. Medibank Place is located in the Docklands area of Melbourne. It is aimed at embodying what the company says are its preventative health and wellbeing principles. Conceived by design firm Hassell, the building is said to place the mental and physical health of people at its heart. It is described as being "hard-wired for health." To begin, employees are able to choose how and where they work. They are kitted out with laptops and mobile phones for mobility – this allows them to move between the 26 different types of work settings on offer at Medbanks Place. These range from indoor quiet spaces and collaborative hubs to Wi-Fi-enabled balconies and places to stand whilst working. Not only does this sort of choice empower employees and afford them the opportunity of working in more healthy ways (such as standing), but it encourages them to move about more. With this in mind, the building's stairs are designed to be the easiest way to move between floors, again encouraging a more health-centric workplace lifestyle. Other facilities aimed at contributing to a healthier lifestyle include special lighting in certain areas that helps to support peoples' circadian rhythms, and a multipurpose sports court for workouts. There is also an edible garden and a demonstration kitchen used to promote healthy eating. The building's more perfunctory features have additionally been considered from a health perspective. A ramp spirals upwards from the main entrance on the street to provide easy access to bike storage, and thus encourage employees to cycle to work. Elsewhere, there are 2,300 plants inside the building, 520 plants in modular planter boxes on the building's façade and two 25-m (82-ft)-high green walls facing the street. All this greenery is designed to help relieve stress, improve internal air quality and provide more pleasant views. Hassell says the building's approach to health and well-being is already proving its worth. In the four months after Medibank moved in, 79 percent of employees are said to have reported that they are working more collaboratively with colleagues, 70 percent that they are healthier working at the new HQ and 66 that they are more productive. Medibank's call center is also said to have seen a 5 percent reduction in absenteeism. Medibank Place was completed in June 2014 and the company moved into the building at the end of 2014. Source: Hassell