WELL Concepts and Features–Mind
WELL Concept: Mind
WELL Feature: MO2 Nature and Place
Summary: This WELL feature requires the integration of nature throughout the project and design strategies that celebrate the project's unique identity and inspire human delight. The glass partition's transparency also contributes to precondition MO2.1, allowing direct sightlines to the green wall.

“I enjoy the conference room,” an employee said. “Not only can the green wall be seen through the glass partitions, but the partitions can be moved to open up the space for more people, or they can be closed for sound privacy as needed.”

Air Purification with UV Radiation and MERV 13 Filters

For Gagnon, a primary goal for the space was to prioritize the health and wellness of occupants. Because of the pandemic and growing awareness of airborne pathogens, the quality and cleanliness of the office air were critically important. "Researchers have stated that people spend 80 to 90 percent of their lives indoors," Gagnon explained, "so the challenge, especially post-COVID-19, is to make the indoor environment, especially the air quality, as healthy as possible for people."

Architect Brekka used her knowledge and research to find solutions that impressed the company's employees. "To prioritize the health and wellness of occupants in this space, we looked closely at what we could do to improve the indoor air quality," Brekka said.

"Within the HVAC system, we included UV radiation. The UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) lamps kill airborne pathogens, including COVID-19 in a single pass. We also included high media filtration Merv 13 filters with an activated charcoal layer to remove VOCs. We focused on getting the best air quality we could within the space."

WELL Concepts and Features–Air
WELL Concept: Air
WELL Feature: A13 Enhanced Supply Air
Summary: Requires that the projects use supply air that is not recirculated or that is treated with carbon fibers, media filters, and/or Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI).

Well Feature: A14 Microbe and Mold Control
Summary: Requires projects to utilize UVGI systems and/or conduct regular inspections on cooling system components to reduce or eliminate the growth of microbes and mold.

According to one employee, “Coming back to the office after working from home was a big change. The owners put a lot of effort into making the space feel safe for the employees. Since the pandemic, air quality has been top of mind for most people. The products implemented by the owners to enhance air quality made us feel comfortable coming back to the office."

Advanced Lighting Controls

During the renovation planning, the team gave extra attention to the quality of light inside the building. The space now enjoys abundant natural light, and the electric lighting plays a big part in creating a space that people want to be in. "Other strategies we used to reinforce a healthy interior was looking at energy, efficient LED lighting that is a tunable white system," Brekka explained. That means the light changes color temperature and intensity throughout the day to align with natural daylight patterns to reinforce and support our natural circadian rhythms. "This essentially makes it easier to focus and be productive during the day and ensures that you get a better restful night's sleep, which has so many health benefits," she said.

WELL Concepts and Features–Light
WELL Concept: Light
WELL Feature: L08 Electric Light Quality
Summary: Requires projects to provide lights that emit a high quality of light and do not display signs of flicker.

Relevant LEED Credits
Interior Lighting: Requires projects to promote occupants' productivity, comfort, and well-being by providing high-quality lighting.

"There are so many benefits I've noticed working in this new office space,” an employee noted. “The biggest one to me is the lighting system. The controls mimic natural outdoor light, changing with our circadian rhythms throughout the day. So it helps me stay fresh and awake in the morning, and coordinates with my circadian rhythm throughout the day to keep me productive."

Shades and Light Shelves

The new office was organized strategically to give all employee workspaces a view of the exterior while allowing the entry of controlled daylight. Light shelves reflect natural light up to the ceiling and then back down to the floor and into the building's interior. Shades help control direct sunlight during certain parts of the day.

WELL Concepts and Features–Light
WELL Concept: Light
WELL Feature: L05 Daylight Design Strategies
Summary: Requires projects to design spaces to integrate daylight into indoor environments so that daylight may be used for visual tasks along with electric lighting. It also provides individuals with a connection to outdoor spaces through windows. It also allows up to two points for integrating solar shading.

Solid Surface Reception Desk

The designer worked with a high-end fabricator to custom design the GREENGUARD-certified solid-surface desk to help avoid off-gassing VOCs that would defeat the goal of a workspace with clean and healthy air. The result is a beautiful desk utilizing a transparent solid surface and LED lighting to introduce branding and make it seem like it's “floating on Excel Blue Air.”

WELL Concepts and Features–Materials
WELL Concept: Materials
WELL Feature: X06 VOC Restrictions
Summary: Aims to reduce human exposure, whether direct or through environmental contamination, to chemicals that may impact health during the construction, remodeling, furnishing, and operation of buildings.

Relevant LEED Credits
Low-Emitting Materials: Projects must use materials on the building interior that meet the low-emitting criteria for at least two product categories (ex. ≥ 75% of all furniture costs)