WELL Certification Guide and Concepts

On average, people spend about 90% of their time in enclosed spaces. This includes at home, in offices, schools or other building environments. The mechanical ventilation system uses outdoor air and internal CO2 sensors to remove toxins from the internal environment.

Did you know that two-thirds of the average human body is made up of water? Drinking the right amount of water is vital to our health as it plays a key role in many of our body’s functions. Water fountains can be found on every floor. Our water filters and testing ensure that water meets the World Health Organization, or WHO, thresholds, helping to improve water quality.

Healthy diets have been linked to the prevention of illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. The Student Health Care Center has a demonstration kitchen that offers students and staff an opportunity to learn how to make healthy meals that provide high nutritional value.

Natural lighting and an indirect electric lighting design creates a balanced and well-lit space, promoting a productive work environment. Occupants are also able to adjust light levels to meet specific needs throughout the building.

Thermal comfort is one of the highest contributing factors to overall satisfaction in buildings. It can affect our mood, motivation, and focus. Our building has increased thermal control by determining occupant satisfaction through surveys, maintaining optimum humidity levels and more.

Did you know the effects of exterior noise from transportation or industrial sources have been linked to sleep disturbance, hypertension and the reduction of mental arithmetic skills in school-aged children? At the SHCC, we have facilitated comfortable interior noise levels and bolstered acoustical privacy between rooms.

The SHCC aims to reduce the exposure to chemicals that may impact health. We do this by restricting hazardous materials in the construction of our new building, utilizing low-hazard pesticides and eliminating harmful ingredients in soaps and cleaning products.

Improving mindfulness opportunities, restorative spaces and optimal sleep habits have an impact on well-being. This can include relief from anxiety, depression, pain and stress. Our building promotes mental health by providing education and resources, integrating nature throughout design elements and more.

If physical inactivity was decreased by 10%, more than half a million deaths worldwide could be averted. Active design elements help support active lifestyles. The Student Health Care Center promotes frequent pedestrian activity and encourages employees to move away from their desks during meal breaks.

Equal and affordable access to comprehensive health services supports better community health outcomes, reducing health disparities and overall healthcare costs.