Landid and Brockton Capital’s new office development in Slough, Berkshire, is the first in the UK to achieve global healthy building rating WELL Building Standard certification.
The 120,000 sq ft Porter Building is now classified as one of the UK’s healthiest office buildings.
The WELL Building Standard is an international performance-based assessment methodology grounded in medical research that is exclusively focused on human health and wellbeing in the built environment.
The standard has become a key marker of new office design in the US, and an increasing number of major UK office developments currently under construction are registered for the rating.
However, the Porter Building is the first in the country to achieve WELL Core and Shell certification, attaining a rating of Gold, the second highest possible.
Designed by architect TP Bennett, the building was launched in November last year and was developed to maximise the wellbeing of its occupiers, with abundant natural light, fresh air, specially filtrated drinking water, healthy eating options, indoor planting, noise-reduction measures and a layout aimed at encouraging movement around the workplace.
According to a range of studies, a focus on enhancing workplace wellbeing has positive impacts on productivity. For example, improved air quality can enhance cognition by as much as 61%, while drinking ample fresh water can increase productivity by 14% and an office design that enhances movement can boost productivity by 12%.
Landid director Chris Hiatt said: “Wellness has become an increasingly important part of workplace strategies in recent years, reflecting a wider cultural shift towards greater healthier lifestyles.
“Now with the Porter Building, we have embedded wellbeing into the design and construction of the building itself.
“As the first building in the UK to achieve WELL Core and Shell certification, the Porter Building sets a new bar for the design and development of offices.
“The workspace will positively impact on business performance, through staff retention and attraction, wellbeing and productivity and will meet the aspirations of the very best talent.
“We expect that in five years’ time all new office buildings will be seeking WELL certification in the same way that new buildings today are expected to adhere to the highest sustainability standards.
“Wellbeing will simply become part of the language of office design and we are very proud to be playing a leading role in that transformation.”
Rick Fedrizzi, chairman and chief executive of the International WELL Building Institute, said: “The Porter Building’s WELL certification at the Gold level demonstrates outstanding leadership.
“Our mission at IWBI is to bring human health and wellness to the forefront of building practices, and it is industry leaders such as Landid and Brockton Capital that are putting people at the centre of design decisions and helping to advance this movement in the UK and globally.”
Hannah Scott, sustainability consultant CBRE, said: “Certification under the WELL Building Standard is testament to the highest standards which have been achieved in making the Porter Building one of the healthiest buildings in the UK.
“Adopted design features, such as maximised natural light and air quality, have been proven to boost employee wellbeing and productivity, which provides a tangible advantage for occupiers. The Porter Building has set a clear benchmark for what can be achieved with the right advice and support.”
To send feedback, e-mail amber.rolt@egi.co.uk or tweet @AmberRoltEG or @estatesgazette
