The largest office complex in northern Poland is the first building to receive the highest WELL Health Safety Rating, as audited by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
The Olivia Business Center, located in Gdansk, is the complex, with 230,000 sm (2.48 million sf) of office space within eight completed buildings. Olivia Building Center has been expanding since 2010. More than 8,500 people work at Olivia, whose tenants include Amazon, Bayer, PwC, and ThyssenKrupp.
The contractor for the construction of each building has been Pekabex, a leading precast concrete manufacturer. Konior and Partners developed the complex’s architectural concept, which has been continued by Gdynia-based BJK Architekci Studio. The complex’s primary investor is Maciej Grabski, cofounder of Wirtualna Polski (Virtual Poland), one of the country’s big media companies.
A LOCAL DOCTOR HELPS DEVISE SAFETY PROTOCOLS
A spokesperson for Olivia Business Center tells BD+C that the decision to make the buildings healthier stemmed from discussions, in February 2020, with Professor Krzysztof Korzeniewski, MD, Ph.D, the director of the Department of Epidemiology at a regional hospital. Korzeniewski assisted in developing procedures and planning to protect the buildings’ occupants from COVID-19.
The Olivia Business Center is one of the first complexes in the world to install ion air purification technology in its buildings. The devices saturate all internal areas with ventilated air that contains ions capable of destroying viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. The filters in the air handling units were raised to F7 from G4, and sensors for pollution and particulate matter were installed. The intensity of the air exchange in the buildings is controlled based on real-time CO2 measurements.
To maximize tenant safety, key-card sterilizers were installed, and elevator settings changed so that lift cabins stay open while in stay-by mode.
Elevators were among the common areas (including lobbies and access paths to parking lots) to which an active titanium coating was applied to ensure surfaces that are touched often are free from pathogenic organisms. The coating—developed by Lumichem and scientists at Jagiellonian University—eliminates bacteria, fungi, and viruses that come into contact with surfaces, and breaks down their residues into carbon dioxide and water.
Ventilation upgrades were among the improvements made to Olivia Business Center.
A PERFECT SCORE
To achieve its score of 25 out of 25 from IWBI (which launched its rating system last January), Olivia Business Center also made some structural changes to windows and façade in all of the buildings. Inside, occupants are directed by signage to walk in one direction to comply with social distancing guidelines. The frequency of the buildings’ cleaning regimen was increased. Cigarette sales are banned. And the building’s owner organizes free and open-to-everyone healthy activities for occupants, which include Nordic walking, cycling, or yachting excursions on the Baltic Sea.
“The safety and quality of life of our tenants are an absolute priority for us, which is why we were happy to undergo such a thorough and extensive certification process that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of our tenants,” said Konrad Danecki, head of Olivia Business Center’s utilities department, in a prepared statement.
The Center did not disclose the cost of these changes.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Aug 13, 2018
There's more to the open office than headlines suggest
A study found that contrary to popular belief, the open office did not encourage—but rather, inhibited—face-to-face communication.
Office Buildings | Jul 31, 2018
Office trends 2018: Campus consolidations bring people together
Companies create community-rich work environments where employees can thrive.
Office Buildings | Jul 25, 2018
New study on occupant comfort advances Saint Gobain’s design approach for renovation and new construction
The building products giant gauges its employees’ perceptions of old and new headquarters environments.
Office Buildings | Jul 18, 2018
A day in the life of an ‘agile worker’
When our Gensler La Crosse office relocated last year, we leveraged the opportunity to support an agile workplace strategy (aka, no assigned seating). Here’s what I’ve experienced firsthand.
Office Buildings | Jul 17, 2018
Transwestern report: Office buildings near transit earn 65% higher lease rates
Analysis of 15 major metros shows the average rent in central business districts was $43.48/sf for transit-accessible buildings versus $26.01/sf for car-dependent buildings.
Office Buildings | Jun 18, 2018
Cube-shaped AmorePacific headquarters building completes construction in Seoul
The David Chipperfield Architects-designed project began in 2010.
Office Buildings | Jun 15, 2018
Portland’s newest office buildings put nature on center stage
Hacker Architects designed the space for Portland’s Frontside District.
Sustainability | Jun 13, 2018
Largest Passive House office building in the U.S. will be built in Chicago’s West Loop
Solomon Cordwell Buenz is designing the building.
Office Buildings | Jun 11, 2018
Online travel company moves to the 66th floor of the Empire State Building
The new headquarters includes almost 20,000 sf of additional space.
Office Buildings | Jun 6, 2018
Final Cut: Jupiter Entertainment’s new production studio in New York combines office and editing spaces
The project team completed this full-floor renovation in four months.