How the WELL Building Standard Works : 7 Principles Towards a Healthier Office Space
We spend 90% of our time indoors.
It is no longer questionable that the quality of our environments can impact who we are and the way we feel.
The physical aspects of a workplace environment have a direct impact on an employee’s productivity, performance, health, and morale.
Putting people’s health at the center of design, the WELL certification came into existence in 2014 as a holistic approach that addresses behaviour, operations and design that promote healthy working environments.
What is the WELL Building Standard?
The Well Building Standard is claimed to be the first evidence-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring building features that impact on health and wellbeing.
Designed by the International WELL Building Institute, IWBI Chairman and CEO Rick Fedrizzi stated that: “Better buildings, vibrant communities and stronger organizations have been at the core of our mission since we launched WELL in 2014.”
WELL seeks to measure the attributes of a building that impact on occupant by looking at 7 areas: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort and Mind..
What are the Benefits of a WELL Certified Office?
Surveys showed that employees working in WELL spaces felt 86% more productive than team members working in traditional offices.
Developed by integrating scientific and medical research, a WELL office can have countless benefits on the workforce, among which:
Attract and retain employees, clients and investors
Build brand equity through leadership and innovation
Maximize performance of employees by contributing to increased productivity, reduced absences, and increased job satisfaction/engagement
Promote health and well-being to 100% of employees
UK Coaching Project - 2021
The 7 WELL Principles Towards a Healthier Office:
1. Air
The WELL Air Concept is concerned with the overall indoor air quality.
This feature requires a close examination of a wide variety of factors, including ventilation effectiveness, air filtration, microbe & mould control, moisture, and humidity management.
In addition, it requires that Facility Managers should work on cleaning protocols and meeting recommended timelines for filter changes.
2. Water
Spaces that are planning to achieve the WELL Certification must also ensure the quality and availability of drinking water by looking at the overall access to and quality of a building’s water supply.
As more and more offices are starting to take into consideration the WELL Standards, different solutions became available such as filtered drinking water dispensers in every refrigerator or high-tech options such as free standing water cooler that uses UV light to ensure the cleanest water is being delivered.
3. Nourishment
The principle of nourishment measures performance on the availability of fresh foods and the promotion of healthy eating habits, but other aspects such as contamination & safe preparation are also taken into account.
4. Light
Engage Office Makeover - 2018
As light enters the human body through the eye, where it is sensed by photoreceptors in the retina, The WELL Light concept is looking at exposure to light and aims to create lighting environments that are optimal for visual, mental, and biological health.
The areas of focus here are: natural light availability, visual lighting design, electric glare control, light colour quality and night lighting.
For instance, designing office spaces with glass walls and ensuring that all desks have a daylight view are great examples of how we can integrate the Light principle into our office design.
5. Fitness
Enagage Office Makeover - 2018
The WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) promotes the integration of physical activity into everyday life by providing the opportunities and support for an active lifestyle and discouraging sedentary behaviours.
When speaking about office design, we are looking at how companies promote fitness and the provision of opportunities to maximise physical movement through the availability of fitness programmes and gym facilities.
6. Comfort
WELL’s Comfort concept establishes thermal, acoustic, ergonomic and olfactory comfort requirements that are designed to create distraction-free, productive and comfortable indoor environments.
For example, it requires that 30% of work stations have the ability to alternate between sitting and standing positions.
Luckily, more and more innovative solutions are making their way into the contemporary office designs, such as standing desks or desks on electronic adjust, allowing the occupant of the desk to determine the height of both the desk surface and the monitor.
TwentySix Digital Project - 2019
7. Mind
More than our physical environment, the WELL strives to maximise mental health, by looking at available workplace support, stress management and overall space aesthetics that promote health and wellness awareness.
Understanding the importance of integrating these principles into your office design is paramount to maintaining a healthy working environment and fulfilling employee’s needs.
If you recognise the need to adapt your workspace but aren’t sure how, our workplace specialists would love to help you find the right opportunities to move your business and your people in the right direction!
In fact, we’re currently offering a free 1-hour consultation with one of our workplace specialists to help you get the ball rolling. Complete the form below to get in touch and we can get your session booked in!
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