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WELL Building Standard, Well Employees

By Hannah Arthur, RA, LEED Green Associate, WELL AP Alex Kircher, RA, WELL AP Kelli Warner

September 5, 2024
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Design Collaborative’s team of designers incorporate WELL design principles that influence employees’ well-being.

What does it mean to be well? Most people would answer that question by considering a person’s physical or mental health. For the team at Design Collaborative, WELLness means more than that.

“The WELL Building Standard is an evidence-based certification program for buildings that specifically focuses on the wellness of the people who occupy the space,” explains Architect Hannah Arthur. “It really piggybacks on LEED, which was the pioneer in creating an evidence-based system for certifying buildings. Obviously, the focus was sustainability, but I think it has become more important to focus on the people.”

“The points-based certification system says that this building or this space has met certain requirements,” adds Senior Architect Alex Kircher. “In every single one of the categories, each point is based off of thoroughly documented research that actually impacts the health of the people inside of the building.”
ALEC Credit Union Lobby
ALEC Credit Union Lobby

WELL design principles focus on 10 core concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community. Each is intended to address factors that influence an employee’s well-being; things like clean air and water, access to fruits and vegetables as well as nutritional transparency, and lighting that promotes visual, mental and biological health. In addition, design elements that encourage movement, ensure temperature controls, establish noise parameters, and reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials are key. Points are also given when a company keeps employee mental wellness in mind and uses design strategies, policies and programs to foster a sense of community.

Not only do WELL standards benefit the employees, says Design Collaborative Workplace Market Leader Kelli Warner. They also make good business sense.

“There are a number of studies that show these things lead to higher productivity rates, easier recruitment and higher retention rates. I think that’s the biggest selling point in my mind. That’s especially important to the younger working demographic. If you can document that, it’s a recruiting tool and also a retention tool,” says Warner.

“Businesses want to underline the fact that they find these things are important. It’s the certification they can get that says, ‘The health and safety of the people in our office is important, so we are implementing these number of things,’” emphasizes Arthur. “I think employers have realized investing in their workforce has a high payback. If you can make your employees happier or take your workforce and enhance their productivity, that’s a huge benefit.”
Two women reviewing document in conference room
Two women reviewing document in conference room

Article featured in Business People Magazine.

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