Build Me Up: Living WELL Through Sustainable Design with Strang
With more owners and employers becoming aware of the importance of the built environment’s role in supporting wellness, productivity and sustainability, industry professionals are diving deeper into exploring the building blocks of a healthier environment. And the significant impact of indoor air quality on cognitive function and overall health has been brought to light since the COVID-19 pandemic. Commercial buildings undoubtedly impact the environment and our health, and two building standards – LEED and WELL – are leading the charge toward a more sustainable future.
The US Green Building Council Council’s LEED certification has been a sustainability standard in the design and construction industry for decades, providing performance-based measurements on the design, construction, maintenance and operation of commercial buildings. The more newly established WELL standard from the International Well Building Institute (IWBI) focuses solely on the building’s end-user and which factors affect people’s health and comfort. Together, they provide an inclusive framework for a more sustainable future.
When Madison-based Strang Architects planned their move to a new office environment, they approached the tenant buildout guided by the principles of both WELL Building and LEED certification. Kraus-Anderson served as the construction manager for the 8,730-square-foot tenant improvement project, which achieved LEED Gold certification, also became the first WELL Gold Certified project in the state of Wisconsin.
On the latest episode of KA’s Build Me Up podcast, Strang Architects Director of Integrated Control Systems Katie Lowery, Senior Interior Designer Connie Nankee, and Kraus-Anderson Senior Project Manager Nate Yahn discuss the principles of sustainable design and the challenges that come with implementing them.
Inside Strang’s Building
Strang was well acquainted with its new core and shell building, having designed and engineered it for its developer a few years earlier. The building came with some distinct advantages, along with some somewhat unusual challenges: Located a block from the Capitol in Madison, the building had been built on spec, concurrent with an adjacent high rise under construction just 30 feet from the exterior wall and visibility requirements that restricted the placement of HVAC equipment on the roof. Its current tenant roster includes offices, restaurant, and a 3,000-guest capacity rock music venue.
The buildout consists of a reception area, conference rooms, work café, design lab, work room, and open office areas. Elements such as a lighting control system to boost light during morning hours and taper off later in the day, which aligns with the natural circadian rhythm of the body, were implemented to WELL standards that emphasize employee wellness. Amenities such as adjustable desk heights, dedicated eating spaces and break rooms, private relaxation rooms, and acoustic planning for loud and quiet zones all factor in to occupant health and comfort.
The Science Behind WELL
WELL focuses on seven standards – air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind – to measure and monitor how the built environment impacts human health and wellbeing. WELL also goes beyond the physical space to incorporate programming standards for employee wellness. These include access to healthy snacks, fitness programs, designated areas for relaxation, mental health resources, and more.
While things like having proper indoor air quality and natural lighting may feel like common sense for a productive work environment, the standards are backed with science-based evidence. Studies have shown that having a connection to nature while you work, whether it be a view out the window or having plants in the workplace, improves productivity and well being among employees. As the work environment is evolving from the COVID-19 pandemic and offices are becoming hybrid models of virtual and in-person work, WELL sets the standard for the future of office environments. From rigorous cleaning and sanitation standards to improved indoor air quality, the flexibility of a WELL certified building maximizes the functionality of future workplaces.
To learn more about WELL and the future of sustainable design and construction, tune in to the latest episode of the Build Me Up podcast. You can subscribe to Build Me Up wherever you listen to podcasts.
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