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WELL Building Standard

How the WELL Building Standard Has Changed

The WELL Building Standard is an innovative certification program focused on occupant well-being, and it’s preparing for some exciting new changes. Founded by Delos and the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), WELL launched in 2014 with the goal of creating a universal standard that promoted healthier environments for humans, and since then it’s broken new ground by reimagining what a building certification program should look like.

In May 2018, the IWBI released WELL v2. This update takes the original WELL standard and implements a new body of knowledge and research. Many other elements have been reconceptualized and fine-tuned, and the result is an even more holistic certification program that’s sure to push the industry forward. Here’s a closer look at how the WELL Building Standard has changed and what it means for architects and designers.

What’s New in WELL v2

WELL v2 comes with a suite of brand new changes that build on the original WELL standard. Many of these changes aim to make WELL more universal, a motive IWBI Chief Product Officer Rachel Gutter made clear: “WELL v2 is our effort to consolidate the latest knowledge, leading research, new technology and advanced building practice to extend the benefits of WELL buildings to more people in more places.” As such, WELL v2 consolidates previous iterations and creates one standard for all project types.

One of the most noticeable changes is the addition of new WELL concepts. WELL v1 was founded on seven concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort, and Mind. WELL v2 removes Comfort and Fitness and adds Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, and Community. These additions reflect WELL’s widening scope, desire to evolve based on evidence and focus on taking WELL to the next level for occupant health.

In keeping with the theme of creating a more universal standard, WELL v2 has refined how it deals with preconditions and optimizations. In the first version of WELL, different project types had different preconditions. Now, there is a standard set of preconditions that applies to all project types. Optimizations are also more flexible.

On a more technical level, WELL v2 boasts a new scoring system. There are a total of 110 points that can be earned, with Silver, Gold, and Platinum Certification levels awarded at 50, 60, and 80 points respectively. In addition, there’s a dynamic WELL scorecard that helps tailor the scoring system to each individual project. WELL Online is used to recommend “a selection of features based on project-specific parameters that can be further defined and refined by the project team.” It’s remarkable that WELL v2 aims globally but is still able to be customized for each project, and it shows the commitment that the IWBI has for developing a truly universal certification program.

A New Take on Occupant Health

WELL v1 laid the foundation for a new outlook on enhancing health in the built environment. By promoting better Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and prioritizing concepts like air and light, WELL challenged designers to rethink what healthy buildings look like. With the v2 standard, WELL is once again expanding on the definition of a healthy building: “Healthy spaces protect us from that which can make us sick, promote practices that can keep us well, and facilitate opportunities for us to connect with one another and live our lives to the fullest.” For WELL, health is a holistic cornerstone.

That vision is immediately apparent in the new concept additions to WELL. Some of the concepts have been altered; the Fitness concept in v1 was changed to Movement in v2, and Comfort became Thermal Comfort. Although these may seem like small changes, they demonstrate how WELL works to structure the standard to optimize indoor spaces. The Movement concept includes the prior Fitness concept and was expanded to include ergonomic requirements that had been part of the Comfort concept in v1. Additional strategies to promote physical activity were also added. These changes allowed the Comfort concept to be transformed for improved focus on thermal comfort.

The new concepts – Sound, Materials, and Community – further indicate the changes present in WELL v2. Especially noteworthy is the Materials concept. Material choice has long been a part of many green building standards like LEED, and it proves to be just as important for the creation of healthy buildings. Some building materials can expose occupants to chemical toxins and hazards, reducing IEQ and even leading to issues like Sick Building Syndrome.

WELL is seeking to change this with the Materials concept, which “aims to reduce human exposure to hazardous building material ingredients through the restriction or elimination of compounds or products known to be toxic and the promotion of safer replacements.” The concept encourages the use of materials with low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and free of legacy chemicals such as lead and arsenic. Healthier materials like reclaimed wood can earn points for the Materials concept as well as the Mind concept which supports cognitive and emotional health through a biophilic design emphasis.

The Connection Between Community & Design

The aspect of community is prevalent in WELL v2. Following the release of the WELL Community Standard pilot in 2017, an initiative designed to bring WELL standards to the district level, the IWBI migrated much of that philosophy to WELL v2. As a result, v2 introduces the Community concept, which focuses on “establishing an inclusive, integrated community through social equity, civic engagement and accessible design.”

Community is one part of the WELL Building Standard that goes beyond buildings. Buildings are more than just their materials, and WELL believes that certification programs should acknowledge that. As such, the Community concept addresses the importance of healthcare and the promotion of healthy living. At the same time, this is deeply tied to design. One of the preconditions for Community is Integrative Design, which requires projects to “integrate beauty and design” into the environment.

Community also underscores the importance of design that reflects the purpose of a space. Since community relies on participation, designers must ensure that all occupants can fully participate. WELL states that “designing built spaces in a way that enables all individuals to access, participate and thrive within the systems and structures of each community is essential to shaping individual and collective health outcomes.” In other words, it’s critical to consider how to fully optimize spaces so that they fulfill their purpose and also maximize occupant health. This sort of approach parallels that of experiential design in which user experience and cultural relevance are the critical design factors. The idea of Community is a vital one, and it’s inspiring to see WELL place such an emphasis on it.

Conclusion

The WELL v2 Building Standard is more than a cosmetic update. It represents the IWBI taking steps to create a universal certification program that’s founded on the importance of human health in the built environment. It hones many of the ideas in WELL v1 and makes it easier for projects to receive certification. Human-first design is more crucial than ever, and WELL is one of its most powerful advocates. Expect to see even more WELL Certified projects around the globe working together to usher in a new era of design and improve the relationship between people and buildings.

Why Designers Choose to Create WELL Certified Buildings

Building certifications have existed for decades. WELL is taking the idea to a new level. In just four years, this young building standard has become one of the most influential and impactful in the Architecture & Design industry. In short, the WELL Building Standard aims to ensure that the built environment is optimized for human wellness. That concept has resonated with designers across the globe, and at the time of this article there are 928 WELL Certified projects.

There are many reasons to aim for WELL Certification. Here are some of the top reasons why the world’s best designers are proponents of creating innovative WELL Certified buildings.

WELL Is Fundamentally About People

One of the reasons the WELL Building Standard is so groundbreaking is its emphasis on human health. It was created by Delos to “improve human health and well-being through the built environment.” While standards like LEED and Passive House promote sustainability, the WELL Standard is the first certification program to focus primarily on occupant health. Delos founder and CEO Paul Scialla stated in an interview that “with the categorical elements of air, water, light, nourishment, fitness, comfort and mind, about 85% of WELL involves entirely new protocols in and around human health.”

At its core, WELL is a biophilic standard: that is, a standard that champions the optimization of conditions for human beings. It recognizes that all humans need balanced environments that connect them to nature. This was, as Scialla said, purposive: “The nice thing about WELL and the WELL standard itself is that the human condition is universal.  It doesn’t matter if you live in Denver, Colorado or Guangzhou, China, what is optimal for the human condition is the same – our biology is the same.” Thus WELL appeals to underlying biological needs and works to ensure those needs are met in the built environment.

While certification programs like LEED have led to healthier environments, it’s traditionally been a secondary effect rather than a primary objective. For example, LEED’s goal is to achieve complete sustainability as a “globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.” Therefore, LEED places the environment at the forefront. WELL is different in that it encourages buildings that inherently enhance the health of their occupants.

WELL also maintains specific objectives for human health. Randy Fiser, CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), points out that “WELL fosters a holistic formula for better health and wellness outcomes, leading to improvements in things like employee productivity, engagement and retention.” A look at WELL’s documentation reveals that the standard scores projects based on a variety of preconditions and optimizations that define the constituents of a healthy building. From the ground up, WELL is committed to raising the bar for human well-being in the built environment.

WELL Partners With Existing Green Building Standards

Even though WELL Certification is a thorough and beneficial program, it doesn’t have to stand on its own. Rather, it can work harmoniously with many other building standards. Since there is much overlap between biophilia and sustainability, WELL’s tenets interwave seamlessly with the principles of sustainable building standards.

LEED in particular is a standard that has found a counterpart in WELL. Scialla notes that using both can lead to the creation of completely sustainable and healthy buildings: “LEED and WELL are very complementary and not competitive at all. We feel like green and WELL buildings, together, encompass the holistic picture of sustainability as opposed to only looking at one side of the coin.” As such, Delos and WELL have taken many steps to strengthen the connection between LEED and WELL. First, the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), which administers the WELL Standard, is third party certified by Green Building Certification Inc. (GBCI), the same organization that administers LEED Certification. In addition, in 2017 the IWBI announced further alignments between WELL and LEED that help projects more easily achieve dual certification.

WELL Certified offices are outstandingly beautiful and forward-thinking, and the ASID headquarters is no exception. As one of the few buildings with dual WELL and LEED Certifications, the ASID HQ provides a glimpse into the future of the built environment. The project was awarded Platinum Certification (the highest level possible) for both standards. An efficient, human-centric space, the ASID HQ represents the crossroads of biophilia and sustainability and serves as a source of inspiration and innovation. Pre- and post-occupancy research has proven that the ASID office is a healthier working environment with key performance indicators well above the benchmark data. It’s clear that the ecologically minded LEED and the humanistic WELL are even more powerful when joined together.

WELL Is Moving the Architecture & Design Industry Forward

From its inception, WELL has been truly ahead of its time. Architects are beginning to realize that occupant health is critical and as such are giving it the attention it deserves. Scialla is a fervent proponent of human-first design and its connection to sustainability: “I do think the next chapter of sustainability and the built environment is a focus on biological components and the human condition.” It’s fitting that his company’s headquarters has received WELL Platinum Certification and is pursuing LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge Petal Certification. Pictured above, the Delos offices are filled with natural light, plants, and organic building materials like reclaimed wood.

With support from starchitect firms like Perkins+Will, WELL is helping to move Architecture & Design into a new era. WELL isn’t just about creating better buildings; it’s about improving the core principles of A&D as a whole. That’s why WELL is working with other IWBI initiatives, namely the WELL Community Standard that “focuses on ten concepts to support the development of health-focused, integrated and supported communities.” This scope underscores the fact that WELL is a holistic design philosophy that is meant to be applied across all built environments and even the communities to which they belong.

Today, WELL represents progress and innovation, but Scialla believes that biophilic and sustainable design will soon be the universal norm. “In a decade, I don’t think we will be talking about “green buildings” anymore,” he said. “It will just be the right way to build.” Dekker/Perich/Sabatini Principal Max Parrill is another architect who thinks WELL ought to be universal: “There are things within the WELL Building Standard that should be applied to every project, even if you aren’t seeking certification.” Commercial architecture has already embraced the use of green building materials and adherence to sustainable practices, so it’s only a matter of time before WELL becomes a virtual necessity for all projects.

Conclusion

WELL is much more than just a building standard. It’s a philosophy of building greener, healthier buildings that is rapidly becoming mainstream. Designers across the world are encouraging WELL Certification to join the movement and change architecture for the better. It’s exciting to consider what the future has in store for WELL, especially as more projects pursue multiple certifications. No matter the path ahead, one thing is for certain––the WELL Building Standard is changing the world, one built environment at a time.

Take a look at how the Well Living Lab is changing the way we live indoors.

The homepage of the Well Living Lab’s site poses a simple yet thought-provoking question. “How much time do you spend indoors every day?” The American average is quite surprising: over 21 hours.

While spending more time outdoors is an ideal solution, for millions of people––everyone from office workers to students––getting plenty of outside time isn’t always practical. Thus it’s important to examine interior spaces so that they might be better for occupants. That people are spending 90% of their days indoors emphasizes the need for more optimized indoor environments.

That’s the purpose behind the Well Living Lab, a collaborative project by Delos and Mayo Clinic. The Lab’s pedigree is outstanding; Delos created the WELL Building Standard to promote better spaces for people, and the Mayo Clinic has a long relationship with the A&D community. The Clinic has called on renowned firms such as Perkins+Will and HGA to create built environments that facilitate wellness. Together, Delos and the Mayo Clinic aim to “research the real-world impact of indoor environments on human health and well-being, and generate evidence-based information that can be used in practical ways to create healthier indoor spaces”. Although the Lab is a fairly new initiative, it’s already one of the most exciting developments in health-first interior design.

At the Well Living Lab, Evidence-Based Design Is Leading the Way

The Mayo Clinic is well known for its focus on evidence-based practice and conducting “evidence synthesis.” The idea is that a larger corpus of academic studies and scientific information is more useful than a smaller body of research. The Mayo Clinic has long worked to compile available research to further the greater world of medical knowledge, and they’re bringing this ethic to the Well Living Lab in the form of evidence-based design. As the Lab’s medical director Brent Bauer summed it up in the Journal on Active Aging, “The goal across all of these studies, whether they’re residential, office, hospitality or hospital-room space, is to find elements that are changeable, so people know what to do the next time they model a building or upgrade an existing structure.” This quest for fully optimized indoor spaces is what’s ultimately driving the Lab’s various research projects.

In January 2017, the Lab completed its first study Acoustic, Lighting and Thermal Conditions in Offices and Their Effects on the Health and Wellness of Adult Office Workers, shortened to ALTCO. A medical records office at the Mayo Clinic temporarily relocated to experimental work modules within the Lab itself, where researchers changed environmental conditions to observe their impact. The study found that varying the conditions affected a wide range of factors in participants from their ability to work to their satisfaction with the work environment. Some changes even impacted the way participants slept, which emphasized the lasting effects that a workplace has on its employees. This sort of evidence-based methodology is the cornerstone for the Lab, offering a detailed look into how our indoor environments affect us.

The Lab currently has one facility in Rochester, MN, but a second facility is being constructed in Beijing. In addition, the Lab “intends to establish several satellite research facilities in major Chinese cities.” That the Lab would choose the infamously toxic Beijing as the location for its second facility speaks to its goals of creating better environments for humans around the world.

Innovative Initiatives

At its core, the Lab is based on the WELL Building Standard, which sets performance requirements for seven concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. Naturally, these form the bedrock of the Lab’s philosophy and guide its work to make the indoors a better place for people to live and work. Partnered with the ethos of evidence-based design, these concepts place the spotlight on an exciting new area of experience design.

One of the Lab’s latest initiatives is a landmark three-year study that will focus on five aspects of how humans interact with indoor environments: health, performance, stress and resiliency, sleep, and comfort. This study will build on the ALTCO findings to observe how the interplay of various elements including light and air quality affect occupants. Bauer reported in the press release, “Our responsibility is to advance the science by conducting human-centered research that can be used in practical ways.”

The Lab’s Design Offers a Sneak Peek at the Future of Indoor Wellness

The Lab’s vision for indoor environments is obvious from a glance at its facility. Connecting concepts like biophilic design and experience design, the Lab’s workspace is specifically built with human wellness in mind. The space consists of modules that can be rearranged to form a range of indoor spaces. In the ALTCO study, three modules were set up in an open office configuration. Architect Magazine’s look into the Lab reveals that each module features a raised floor, programmable window shades, tintable windows, and a fully modular layout––even the plumbing is adjustable! The objective is to use the Lab to mimic a variety of commercial and residential indoor layouts.

In addition, the Lab is set up to closely monitor its occupants. ALTCO participants were outfitted with biometric wearables that sent data to a central control system, allowing researchers to monitor in real time how the participants were affected by changes in the environment.

Strength In Numbers: The Lab’s Membership Alliance Promotes Corporate Wellness

While Delos and the Mayo Clinic spearheaded creation of the Well Living Lab, they’re not the only companies working to make indoor environments better. The Lab’s Membership Alliance is a network of companies “that want to help generate new knowledge, and interact with Lab experts from a wide range of scientific, medical and technical backgrounds.” Currently, the Lab has 17 founding Alliance members. Partnering companies include industry titans like IBM and Panasonic, A&D firms like HOK and HKS, and environmental leaders like Structure Tone and the International WELL Building Institute.

This robust lineup is excellent not only for the Well Living Lab but also for the general future of corporate wellness. Notably, HOK sustainable design leader Mara Baum says the company will be “implementing research findings that advance the way we design spaces with health and wellness principles in mind.” Structure Tone’s partnership with the Well Living Lab is also a promising collaboration, and the company has already taken steps to enhance wellness, such as gaining WELL Silver certification for its headquarters.

The Well Living Lab and the Future of Indoor Design

So what does the future hold for the Well Living Lab? In addition to its three-year study, the Lab will have access to a greater range of resources and technology thanks to its Membership Alliance, which will lead to more accurate and useful research. The upcoming China facility is another leap forward for wellness in the built environment in a place where such a focus is desperately needed. Aside from the actual research it’s conducting, the Lab is drawing attention to wellness, which has been lacking in indoor design. Hopefully, wellness will become a priority for A&D firms the world over, and if the Lab has anything to say about it, that will certainly be the case.

What’s it like to work in a building with WELL certification?

It’s not often that we consider the health of a building or the built environment. And yet, most humans spend the majority of their time indoors. Whether that be at home or at the office, everyone is inside for most of the day.

The International WELL Building Institute or IWBI decided to measure the health of buildings and to award those healthy buildings with the WELL certification. A WELL certification assesses the health of a building in seven different categories: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

Each category assesses not only the health of the building, but how the building affects its occupants and their health.

So, what’s it like to work in a building with a WELL certification?

Air

We assume that indoor air is clean and healthy to breathe, but according to the EPA, air pollutant levels can be 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors. High levels of pollutants and Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs in the air can reduce worker productivity as well as health. Air pollution contributes to 50,000 deaths annually in the United States.

The IWBI sets standards for how clean the air must be inside their certified buildings.

Air quality not only benefits the health of workers, but also their productivity. When workers breathe clean air, the higher levels of oxygen help to improve cognitive function and job performance — by up to 60%, found one study by Harvard University. Air purifiers and plants can both be used to improve indoor air quality.

Water

Being just 2% dehydrated has been shown to impair cognitive function. Access to clean water is an assumed luxury to most Americans, but it’s not the case everywhere in the world. Even in the U.S., water can become contaminated with heavy metals, cancer-causing toxins, pharmaceutical drugs, and personal care products.

WELL building certification not only encourages clean drinking water, but to sustainably use water. Instead of establishing one standard for all water, thresholds are set based on how the water will be used (drinking, flushing toilets, cooling towers, etc) so as to preserve water while ensuring quality.

Light

The biophilia hypothesis says that bringing nature inside and surrounding ourselves with natural elements can improve health and happiness. This might include incorporating plants or decorating with natural materials such as reclaimed wood, but bringing in natural light has multi-physiological impact..

Natural light and reclaimed wood make Priceline HQ more comfortable
From TerraMai: Natural light and reclaimed wood make the Priceline offices more comfortable.

Humans function on a 24-hour sleep and wakefulness cycle. The hormones and brain chemicals that control this cycle are managed by light. Insufficient light indoors, whether natural or not, can cause workers to get insufficient sleep, which ultimately affects their work performance.

Chronic sleep or wakefulness is associated with a number of health issues. Access to natural light can improve well-being, sleep, and worker efficiency.

Comfort

Creating a comfortable environment requires the maintenance of many subsections, including olfactory, thermal, acoustic, and ergonomic. Workers are more efficient when working in an environment that doesn’t smell bad, has the right level of noise, isn’t too humid, is kept at a soothing temperature, and provides comfortable work space. If all of these conditions are met, workers will be more productive and efficient at work.

Nourishment, Fitness, and Mind

With over half of the world’s population being obese and poor nutrition being a major contributor to preventable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, nourishment, fitness, and mental health are all important areas that WELL assesses. Our physical and mental health are inextricably connected. WELL standards strive to create an atmosphere for physical health and a healthy state of mind.

Station 101 combines reclaimed wood and green wall
From TerraMai: Station 101 combines reclaimed wood with a green wall to bring nature indoors to their employees.

It’s not obvious to most people how a building can play a role in human health, but where people spend their time affects how they feel. Research has shown that healthier built environments that bring people closer to nature makes them happier, healthier, and more productive.

So, what’s it like to work in a WELL certified building? Simple. It feels happier, healthier, and more productive.

What is the WELL Building Standard anyway?

If you’ve been following the news in green architecture and design, you may have heard of the WELL Building Standard. It first drew attention back in 2013, when The New York Times ran a story on this new certification. In the years since, the WELL Building Standard has come into its own as a new and exciting development.

An Overview of the WELL Building Standard

The standard was created by Delos, a real estate company with a focus on health and wellness, and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), which was launched by Delos. The goal behind WELL was to create a certification based on improving human health and well-being while integrating existing green building standards like LEED and Living Building Challenge.

7 WELL Building Considerations
From Mallory Phillips: The 7 areas that WELL certification considers

WELL considers seven aspects of a space: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. For a building to be WELL certified, it must receive passing scores in every concept, indicating that each feature meets the standard’s requirements for human well-being. Finally, a building may receive Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification.

WELL is third-party certified by Green Business Certification Inc., the same company that administers LEED certifications. A WELL certification is valid for three years, a timeline that encourages a vigilant commitment to the standard. In addition, each WELL certified building is required to submit annual performance data for “select features that require more frequent reporting.” Other ongoing requirements may apply; for example, a WELL certified building may need to furnish proof of maintenance or continual parameter measurements.

The New Era of Building Certifications

The WELL Building Standard is part of a larger movement in architecture to create buildings that are better for the environment and better for the humans that occupy them. Delos and the IWBI have been actively promoting the WELL Building Standard. In 2016, the IWBI partnered with the American Institute of Architects to “advance the AIA’s design and health initiative.” The IWBI has also launched the WELL Community Standard to expand WELL’s scope and bring the same exacting specifications to communities.

The WELL Building Standard quickly gained global favor, and by 2017 there was already more than 100 million square feet of WELL certified buildings. While it hasn’t replaced Energy Star or LEED, WELL offers a fresh perspective on certification that has been welcomed with open arms in the biophilic design community.

WELL Building Certification
From SlideShare: The 3 levels of WELL certification

To learn more about the WELL Building Standard, you can visit its official website. For more in-depth knowledge, the U.S. Green Building Council offers a course that explains the basics of WELL certification. Finally, WELL maintains a blog that publishes articles on all aspects of the standard and its implementations in the world. As the worlds of architecture and design continue to seek paths that enhance human wellness, there’s no doubt the WELL Building Standard will become an important part of the solution.

These WELL Certified buildings are amazing examples of human-first design

The WELL Building Standard is relatively new, but it’s already made a huge impact. Namely, it has raised the bar for eco-friendly building certifications that benefit both human occupants and the larger environment. It prioritizes biophilic design that optimizes human wellness, and as such it’s helping architects and designers shift their mindsets to create more natural, people-friendly buildings.

What might that future look like? Many of the WELL Certified buildings are giving the world a glimpse at the next generation of architecture. Here are a few outstanding examples.

TD Bank’s Toronto Office Helped Pioneer WELL Certification

Canadian bank TD set an important milestone by being the world’s first project to receive the v1 WELL Building Standard. The company redesigned its TD Centre in downtown Toronto in collaboration with HOK, one of the world’s top design firms known for its people-first design. The result was a renovated office space that was awarded WELL Certification at the Gold level. More than 60 WELL features were implemented, including enhanced water filtration and lighting systems.

The WELL Certified Structure Tone HQ is Trailblazing in NYC

New York City is well known for setting trends, and it’s no exception here. In March of 2017, Structure Tone’s HQ became the first WELL Certified project in the Big Apple. The new space features ample lighting, enhanced HVAC systems, and green building materials with no or low volatile organic compounds. The implementation of WELL was a must-have for Structure Tone’s new vision of a better workspace. “We have already seen our clients incorporating wellness into their built environments and firmly believe WELL will play a strong role in the workplaces of the future,” said James Donaghy, chairman of the board at Structure Tone.

ASID’s Double Certification Shows What Innovation Looks Like

WELL is certainly an excellent certification program, but many organizations are realizing the benefit of acquiring multiple certifications. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is one such organization. Its Washington, D.C. office recently gained both WELL and LEED Platinum Certification, and the building is the first in the world to do so. The space hosts a plethora of biophilic features, including a circadian lighting system and a wellness room to provide mental breaks from work. With a devoted focus on sustainability and human health, ASID has certainly set an example for other workplaces to follow.

Studio 111 Puts the WELL Building Standard Into Practice

Studio 111, a design studio located in Long Beach, CA, is one of the most unique WELL Certified buildings. Even though it’s surrounded by retail, the space is abundant with natural light, which is one of the seven concepts WELL certification considers. In addition, a sound masking system improves the building acoustics. Studio 111 has also implemented WELL concepts such as fitness and nutrition beyond the structure and design, offering a variety of fitness programs and healthy food options.

For Studio 111, WELL is more than just a building standard. “WELL has allowed us to more positively impact the office environment for our employees from productivity, to health and wellness and talent retention,” said sustainability director Sara Hickman.

The Fortune 500 company McKesson takes sustainable and wellness design to heart

Health care giant McKesson took a huge step forward in 2016 by redesigning its Richmond, VA office, which was over two decades old and not at all optimized for workers or the environment. Like ASID, McKesson’s office was awarded both WELL and LEED certifications. The new space is a marvel of WELL-inspired design, with plenty of natural light and copious amounts of green and organic building materials such as reclaimed wood. McKesson is also currently pursuing WELL certifications for its other office locations.

Conclusion

Sustainable design should look and feel great. WELL Certification prizes how humans feel in a space, making it one of the best and most innovative building standards in existence today.