The Future of Design with the WELL Building Standard

Workplace design has come leaps and bounds since the days of cubicle working and enclosed office spaces. Squeezing as many employees as possible into a given space is no longer a priority and disregarding employee health and happiness is no longer acceptable.

Staff retention has become much more of a focus for employers as shifts in loyalty have altered over the years. Companies are now more at risk of losing out to employers who offer a better working environment and care package to their staff.

In addition to this shift in loyalty, the health risks associated with particular job roles have become more apparent. Among these are the risks associated with working at a desk, notably musculoskeletal disorders that are caused by being sedentary throughout the day.

The result of this is that employers now need to focus more on employee wellbeing and happiness, not only to invest in and prioritise their employees, but to also protect their business and help it to grow and thrive. Staff turnover is an expensive and time-consuming matter that can be lowered with thoughtful office design and workplace considerations.

Designing to a WELL Standard

As a commercial interiors company, it's our role to fuse the needs of the client with design that is aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of individuals occupying the space. The WELL Building Standard exists for this very reason and helps interior designers, architects and businesses to create spaces around the health and wellness of those who will be using the building.

To truly succeed in creating a space that is able to do this, ten concepts need to be considered and met, according to the WELL Standard. Promoting wellbeing in the workplace goes far beyond well-placed and selected furniture. In fact, it goes even further than the design of a space itself, instead also focusing on the behavioural, operational and people aspects of a place - all of which should be considered together.

What is WELL and How Does it Impact Wellbeing in the Workplace?

For design and build projects keeping wellbeing at the heart, the WELL Building Standard provides a flexible framework that helps you to consider how a space will impact the people engaging with it. WELL isn't limited to the workplace but is great for employers wanting to create the best possible environment for their employees.

Most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors and the WELL Building Standard wants to make this experience as positive and health-focused as possible. Each aspect of WELL has the health of individuals at its very core.

Originally a seven-concept framework, the WELL Building Standard v2 pilot now encompasses ten concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community. All share the same principle of benefitting the health and wellbeing of those who will be occupying the space.

Benefits of Becoming a WELL Certified Workplace

A focus on wellbeing in the workplace positively impacts productivity

Achieving the WELL certification requires careful consideration and design, but the benefits of achieving it are endless and can really put a business ahead of the competition. With the primary focus of the standard focusing on wellbeing, the main benefit of becoming WELL certified is therefore the investment in the health and wellbeing of employees. A happy workforce is a creative and productive one!

Achieving WELL status is brilliant for attracting fantastic new employees who are interested in joining a company that invests in its staff. Equally, achieving WELL standard means that you're providing a fantastic work environment that employees are less likely to leave. This can work wonders for staff retention.

Providing a WELL certified office can also positively and considerably impact productivity and creativity in the workplace. Invest in your people and they will be able to invest their most into your business!

WELL certified offices promote good physical and mental health, which is great at helping employers to reduce absenteeism and presenteeism in the workplace. This ensures a return on investment for those who have invested their time and resources into making a space WELL certified!

The WELL Building Standard represents the future of design and it's something that can be achieved for new and existing spaces! Get in touch today to find out how your workplace can work towards a WELL certification.