CAPITAL WATCH

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For tenants, there are operationally
driven financial incentives to occupy
‘well’ workplaces. However, this
should not just be an occupier
focus. Investors and developers who
successfully adapt their offering are
shown to benefit from a tangible
premium – three separate studies by
the Canadian Green Building Council,
McGraw Hill Construction, and the
Urban Land Institute found buildings
that demonstrate positive impacts on
wellbeing are likely to have a higher
market value.
Wellbeing in the workplace has
emerged as a critical issue, because
it is simply too fundamental to be
ignored. It is no longer just about
doing the right thing, but about
taking the commercially sensible
option. Bodies of evidence will
become more compelling, until ‘well’
workplaces are the norm. Those who
fail to futureproof are likely to suffer
financially.
You can download a full copy of
our recent report on the subject of
wellbeing and real estate at
Corporations are
understandably
striving to
identify links
between work
environments
and business
performance
The Future
A number of international frameworks
focus on the direct contribution of
buildings to occupant wellbeing,
these include:
The International WELL Building
Standard™; this is the first certification
to focus exclusively on wellbeing. Its
compliance requirements fall into
seven areas: air, water, nourishment,
light, fitness, comfort and mind. Each
category is scored out of 10 and
– depending on the total achieved –
silver, gold or platinum certification
is awarded.
Fitwel; this standard assesses
building and workplace features such
as the design of outdoor spaces,
proximity to public transit, indoor air
quality, and healthy food standards.
Organisations submit questionnaire
answers, with photographic evidence
where applicable, to receive a rating
of zero, one, two, or three stars.
The World GBC’s “Better Places
for People” Framework; this is a three
pillar framework designed to assess
and quantify the health, wellbeing and
productivity of people in buildings.
Firstly, there is a focus on the physical
environment. Secondly, occupant
perceptions of the environment are
surveyed. Thirdly, economic factors are
taken into consideration; metrics are
tracked over time as improvements are
made to the workplace.
New standards and frameworks
help ensure challenging targets.
They are driving progress in the field
of workplace wellbeing. But it is of
course entirely possible to design
‘well’ spaces using thoughtful design
concepts, without completing a
formal documentation system. There
are many routes to wellbeing, rather
than a ‘one size fits all’ solution it
should be presented as a universally
accomplishable goal.
Wellbeing as
Standard
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD
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COVER STORY