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  • WELL by Design

A healthier workplace—by intention.

Great design isn’t just about how a space looks—it extends to how people feel, think, and perform within it. That belief guided the renovation of Design Collaborative’s office and our pursuit of the WELL Building Standard to create a healthier place to work.

WELL looks at how buildings support the people inside them—through air, water, light, movement, comfort, and more. Below, we share what each concept means and how we brought it to life in our workplace.

                     

AIR

Fresh air in. Brain fog out.
Good ideas need fresh air.

Clean air plays a big role in focus, comfort, and overall health— often in ways you can’t see, but can definitely feel. WELL’s Air concept addresses ventilation, filtration, and everyday habits that impact air quality.

How we address it:

  • Reduced indoor pollutants through material and source selection
  • Ensured adequate ventilation throughout the workplace
  • Regular monitoring of air quality to exceed WELL thresholds
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing employee workspaces, private workrooms, and collaboration stations.
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing employee workspaces, private workrooms, and collaboration stations.

WATER

Good design flows.
Refill often. Think clearly.

Staying hydrated helps support both physical health and mental clarity. WELL’s Water concept focuses on water quality, access, and maintenance.

How we address it:

  • Promote proper hydration with staff
  • Maintained water quality through operational planning and maintenance
    • View the latest water quality test results (link to document or webpage)

NOURISHMENT

Snack smarter. Design better.
Brains work better when fed.

The Nourishment concept encourages healthier food choices by making them easier and more visible and supporting informed choices.

How we address it:

  • Keep healthy snacks and fresh options readily available
  • Promote nutritional awareness in food storage and prep spaces
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing an employee kitchen.
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing an employee kitchen.

LIGHT

Better light. Brighter thinking.
Designed to shine—without the glare.

Lighting affects how we see, how we feel, and how alert we are throughout the day. WELL supports a balance of daylight and controllable artificial light.

How we address it:

  • Maximized access to natural light where possible
  • Provided supplemental lighting for individual work needs
  • Used lighting controls and glare reduction strategies throughout the office

MOVEMENT

Great ideas don’t stay still.
The desks adjust. So should you.

WELL promotes movement throughout the day—not just at the gym—by making it easier to change posture and stay active.

How we address it:

  • Installed height-adjustable desks, standing workstations, and ergonomic seating
  • Provided indoor and outdoor bike storage to support active commuting
  • Provided a shower, lockers, and changing facilities for workouts
  • Highlighted proximity to nearby parks and green spaces for walkability
  • Support physical activity incentives, including DCFit participation and discounted YMCA memberships
Movement
Movement

THERMAL COMFORT

Too hot, too cold? Not here.
Because comfort shouldn’t be distracting.

When people are uncomfortable, it’s harder to focus. WELL emphasizes systems that support consistent comfort and individual control.

How we address it:

  • Designed HVAC systems for reliable temperature and humidity control
  • Offered personal heating and cooling options to support individual preferences

SOUND

Designed so ideas—not noise—travel.
Less echo. More thinking.

Acoustic comfort matters—especially in collaborative offices. WELL addresses sound control so people can focus, communicate, and work comfortably.

How we address it:

  • Designed open workspaces, nooks, and conference rooms with sound isolation in mind
  • Incorporated sound-reducing surfaces on ceilings and walls
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing employee workspaces, private workrooms, and collaboration stations.
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing employee workspaces, private workrooms, and collaboration stations.

MATERIALS

Better materials. Healthier spaces.
Clean materials for clean thinking.

The Materials concept focuses on reducing exposure to hazardous substances through smart selection and ongoing care.

How we address it:

  • Selected compliant furnishings and finish materials
  • Used architectural and interior products aligned with WELL criteria

MIND

A little calm goes a long way.
Supporting big ideas and quiet moments.

Mental well-being is influenced by more than one thing. It’s shaped by design, policies, and daily experience.

How we address it:

  • Created a dedicated restorative space to support mental well-being
  • Curated artwork that fosters a connection to place and purpose
  • Highlighted access to nearby parks and outdoor spaces for restoration and balance
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing private phone booths with fun wall paper.
Rendering of Design Collaborative’s renovated Fort Wayne office showing private phone booths with fun wall paper.

COMMUNITY

Community doesn’t happen by accident.
Built for teamwork—and real life.

WELL’s Community concept recognizes that healthy workplaces support the whole person—not just the work.

How we address it:

  • Provided a mother’s room to support working and expecting mothers
  • Reinforced policies and spaces that support belonging and accessibility
  • Promoted health education through this online WELL Feature Guide

INNOVATION

We don’t just talk WELL. We design it.
Certified thoughtful.

Innovation allows projects to go beyond the baseline and push healthier design further.

How we address it:

  • Engaged WELL Accredited Professionals throughout the process
  • Earned third-party WELL certification
  • Created intentional in-office tour stops to showcase WELL strategies to employees and visitors
Two Coworkers Looking at Computer Screen
Two Coworkers Looking at Computer Screen

A Living Example of WELL

Our office isn’t just where we work. It’s a real-world example of how thoughtful design can support human health.

By pursuing WELL certification, we reinforced what we believe at our core: when spaces are designed for people, everyone benefits.

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