We believe in the design of human spaces. Spaces that take care of humans and positively impact their experience within them. To create such spaces, it is crucial to consider all types of elements, even the subtlest ones. The architecture, the interior design, the furniture, the colours, the materials and so much more must be considered to design the most perfect human space. In this context, we are truly fascinated by the work done by the International WELL Building Institute.
The institute focuses on creating and certifying spaces that contribute to improving people’s health and well-being. From this desire, it was born the WELL Building Standard, a certification given to buildings that apply the science of the physical and social environments to benefit the health, well-being and performance of people.
To get the certification, each project is required to pursue a certain subset of features within the 10 WELL concepts (which are aligned to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals) that are: Air, Water, Thermal Comfort, Light, Movement, Nourishment, Sound, Mind, Community and Materials.
They refer, for instance, to the quality of the air people breathe, the availability of water for consumption, the safety of building materials, the psychological well-being and also the sense of community enhanced within the environment. Buildings optimise at their best each of these concepts through the application of design strategies, technologies and protocols. Due to the pandemic, the Institute has also introduced the WELL Health-Safety Rating, an evidence-based, third-party verified rating system that assists the buildings in implementing practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The optimisations, carried out by the buildings, are assigned a number of points that refer to how impactful they are in promoting health and well-being. In the end, according to the points achieved, the buildings are awarded WELL certification with bronze, silver, gold or platinum rating.
The WELL Certificate is given to buildings all over the world. For instance, Enel (the Italian multinational manufacturer and distributor of electricity and gas) has obtained the WELL Building Standard Platinum level certification for its office in Via Carducci in Milan. It is the first building in Italy to receive such a level of certification and achieved it thanks to the integration of high-tech solutions to ensure high-quality standards for lighting, acoustics, low/no concentration of contaminants in the air, ergonomics of spaces and workstations, the incorporation of greenery and cultural and artistic enhancement of the site.
Another building that achieved, instead, the level gold of the certification, is the SDE4 building located within the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) School of Design and Environment. It is the first purpose-built net-zero energy building in Singapore. It is energy efficient and environmentally friendly and has implemented innovative building strategies that improve the comfort and well-being of people.
Another interesting project that has also achieved the platinum level of the certification is the Inn at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California which became the first hospitality project in the world to achieve the WELL Certification. The building strongly commits to the enhancement of wellness through, for example, biophilic experiences that promote mental health and nourishment. The building is entirely designed to enhance the awareness and well-being of both guests and employees.
It is so inspiring the work carried out by WELL and of all those buildings prioritising the health and wellness of people. Of course, this also has a positive impact on businesses. WELL help organisations build and enhance brand equity through market leadership and innovation. It helps attract and retain employees, clients and investors also by showing how they help maximise the performance of people. A WELL certified building increases the productivity of people but most of all creates a positive environment that of course, reduces absences and increases job satisfaction and engagement.
Achieving the certification might not be an easy job but it is worth it. If businesses truly desire to develop human spaces, however, certification is not the only thing to look for. Developing an appropriately designed environment for humans is the best thing they can do and the standards set by WELL can help do so.
References
Enel. (2021). Enel, the Via Carducci office in Milan is the first building in Italy to obtain the WELL Building Standard® Platinum level certification. Retrieved from: enel.com
SDE4. Retrieved from: account.wellcertifiec.com
Shepherd, T. (2020). WELL Story: The Inn at Moonlight Beach. Retrieved from: Resources.wellcertified.com
Well. Support (2022). What is WELL Certification?