I was lucky enough to attend a WELL training course (full day event) at Lendlease in November 2017. It was hosted by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and attended by industry professionals from a variety of sectors, including construction, engineering, architecture, interior design and product and chemical manufacturing.
Brief Intro to WELL
The WELL Building Standard focuses on the health and wellbeing of building occupants. It is organised into seven categories of wellness called Concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort and Mind. Each concept is comprised of multiple features, which are intended to address specific aspects of occupant health, comfort or knowledge.
For more info on WELL, please read my blog, “WELL, WELL, WELL, What’s all the fuss about”. Click here for more information.
Interesting Titbits
At the WELL seminar, I learnt some very interesting information that can help us assist our clients to improve wellness within their workplaces, as well as bring general awareness to our own health and wellbeing.
Here are a few interesting stats:
- Our social environment plays a big part in our mental and physical wellbeing
- We spend 90% of our time inside and 100% of our time with man-made products
- Chronic disease is rapidly on the rise, accounting for 90% of all deaths in Australia. The main chronic diseases causing death are heart disease, stroke and cancer
- Other chronic diseases include lower back pain and depression
- Chronic diseases cause huge economic cost. Cardio vascular and mental health conditions are the dominant contributors to the global economic burden
- One in two Australians have chronic diseases
- Every $1.00 investment in health and wellbeing gives a $5.81 return on investment
Of course the business case to implement the WELL concepts is critical and although WELL is in its early stages (it started in 2014), the two expert presenters, Liz Miles and Jessica Cooper, took us through this process. They explained how WELL can help prevent chronic disease and assist with attraction, retention, productivity and absenteeism.
I also had the pleasure of attending another GBCA event at Mirvac’s SYDNEY HQ, which was the first Australian building to be certified under the WELL Building Standard and to achieve a GOLD rating. This workplace is spectacular, lush, beautiful and fabulous!
WHO wouldn’t want to work for an organisation that has created this type of environment AND cares about your health and wellbeing?
The WELL Building Standard aims to address the challenges around human health and wellbeing and sets a course that can help reduce not only chronic diseases but also reduce stress, fatigue, headaches and eye strain.
So how can product manufacturers help with meeting WELL requirements?
There are a number of features throughout the WELL Building Standard that relate to product manufacturers (furniture, flooring and other building materials). The link below outlines how manufactures can assist the design team meet the WELL requirements. It’s a great resource that has been specifically written for product manufacturers.
Make sure you read the section on Referencing the WELL Building Standard in product literature. This will help you with your marketing. Click here for more information
And if you have your product certified with GECA, AFRDI GreenTick or Global GreenTag, ask how your Ecolabelling Certification scheme is helping you meet these requirements.
I’ve also listed some key takeaways for product manufactures in SEPT's 17 Blog. Click here for more information.
Links to additional information and resources
Australian projects that are registered for WELL Building Certification
WELL: Healthier people through better buildings (video)
Sourceable article by Shelley Meagher: Green Infrastructure and the WELL Building Standard™