Now that the first group of office fitouts to receive WELL certification has been completed, the business case can be analyzed.
A few of the early adopters completed fitouts for less than $1 per square foot in additional costs. For the others, the cost to achieve WELL certification ranged from $1 to $4 per square foot, according to a report by the Urban Land Institute.
The costliest items for most tenant fitout projects were noise reduction in an open office environment, enhanced HVAC filtration and zone control, and increased employee access to healthy food by replacing vending machines with cafés and kitchens.
The WELL standard focuses on seven key elements of a healthy building—air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. Other initiatives by early adopters included subsidies for a bike-share program, discounted fitness facility memberships, and new sit/stand desks and tables.
Early adopters will now track the potential benefits of WELL—improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and reduced turnover.
Related Stories
Green | Nov 29, 2015
Leadership or limbo: Moving to building green’s next level
After interviewing more than 50 AEC firms for our Greenbuild Report in the November issue, I wonder if the sustainability movement has hit a wall in the nonresidential construction sector.
Green | Nov 23, 2015
Top 10 green building products for 2016
A hybrid urinal, ventless dryer, and a chair made of mushroom roots are among the new green products to make BuildingGreen's annual list.
Green | Nov 23, 2015
Green construction doubling every three years
Clients and tenants increasingly value sustainability.
Green | Nov 23, 2015
Copenhagen designer offers assembly kit for a two-story hydroponic urban farm
Founders of Human Habitat believe their Impact Farm could grow up to six tons of produce per year.
Sponsored | Green | Nov 20, 2015
A century-old furniture factory gets a living wall biofilter for better air
During renovations, the team integrated the biofilter into the new HVAC system to provide clean air directly to the offices
Green | Nov 19, 2015
USGBC names 2016 board of directors and advisory council
New governance structure will have two leadership bodies.
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 18, 2015
AIA: Energy modeling key to reaching carbon neutrality in buildings
Energy modeling allows architects to be more ambitious with energy-saving in their design projects.
Green | Nov 18, 2015
Green Seal expands standard for paints, coatings, stains, and finishes
This new edition of GS-11 includes floor coatings, concrete and masonry sealers, and fire resistive coatings, in addition to the paints, primers, anti-corrosive coatings, and reflective coatings previously covered.
Green | Nov 17, 2015
DOE launches new data collaborative to help cities and states boost building efficiency
The SEED Standard will help manage, standardize, share performance data.
Mixed-Use | Nov 16, 2015
Italian architect designs vertical forest with prefab units by BuroHappold
Cantilevered planters will host cedar trees and other plants hundreds of feet above ground.