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The WELL Building Standard: A Focus on Corporate Wellness

Successful Business People CelebratingThe WELL Building Standard®: An Overview  

In 2013, Delos launched the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI), after seven years of research, consulting, and reviews. The IWBI leaders realized that there is a strong connection between the buildings where we spend most of our time and our health/wellness. Because of this, they created the first building standard that focuses exclusively on people—specifically, on human health and wellness.

The standard, called the WELL Building Standard (WELL), was created by doctors, scientists, architects, and wellness leaders. Combining scientific research and medical research with design and construction best practices, WELL helps support all aspects of health and well-being. Following the seven concepts of WELL, WELL Certified™ buildings are designed to help improve mood, performance, nutrition, fitness, and sleep patterns of employees.

The 7 Concepts of the WELL Building Standard

To become WELL Certified™, buildings must get passing scores in each of the seven concepts of the WELL standards. The scoring is based on preconditions, which are required features of each commercial or office space. Buildings can also earn a Silver, Gold, or Platinum score for implementing optimization features, which are additional features to help improve corporate wellness. Learn more about the seven concepts of WELL:

1. Air

The goal of the air concept is to achieve an ideal indoor air quality through prevention and purification techniques. Some of the preconditions include air quality standards, a smoking ban, and air filtration throughout the building. Examples of optimizations are pest control, humidity control, and increased ventilation.

2. Water

The water concept revolves around improving water quality and access to clean water. Preconditions include fundamental water quality and removing contaminants from water. Optimizations may include periodic water quality testing and drinking water promotion.

3. Nourishment

The goal of the nourishment concept is to encourage and promote healthy eating habits among employees. Businesses can meet the preconditions by offering fruits and vegetables and avoiding food contamination. Some of the possible optimizations include controlling serving sizes, accommodating for special diets, and promoting mindful eating.

4. Light

Since the body’s natural circadian rhythm is often disturbed by indoor lighting, this concept is designed to help improve health and wellness through idealized lighting. Preconditions include circadian lighting design and electric light glare control. Some of the optimizations include low-glare workstations and automated shading or dimming controls.

5. Fitness

The fitness concept involves helping employees improve their health and well-being through physical activity. Preconditions of the fitness concept include activity incentive programs. Optimizations may include active furnishings, structured fitness opportunities, and physical activity spaces.

6. Comfort

The goal of the comfort concept is to promote distraction-free, productive, and soothing workspaces. Preconditions include implementing ergonomic programs, ADA-accessible design standards, and thermal comfort. Some of the optimizations include sound-reducing surfaces, sound barriers, and individual thermal control.

7. Mind

The mind concept involves supporting mental and emotional health and well-being. Preconditions include health and wellness awareness and integrative design. Optimizations may include adaptable spaces (collaborative vs. focus zones), self-monitoring devices, and promoting ways to manage stress.

How to Improve Corporate Wellness in Your Office

Our ergonomics and wellness experts help improve corporate wellness by focusing on the comfort and mind concepts. For more information on corporate wellness or health and wellness consulting, click below. We can help you optimize your office or building to support the health and wellness of your employees.

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