Designing High Performance Office Space: The WELL Building Standard

The Soul Spaces Design and Build team recently participated in a WELL workshop to deepen their expertise in designing office spaces that prioritise human health and well-being. Our Director of Workplace Design, Demet, shares insights into the WELL Building Standard™ and her key takeaways from the session.

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The WELL Building Standard™ serves as a framework for creating spaces that prioritise human health and well-being. This standard offers a collection of strategies, grounded in the latest scientific research, designed to improve health through thoughtful design, operational practices, and policies. WELL encourages a culture that places well-being at the forefront of building and organizational practices.

The workshop was a game-changer, reaffirming our commitment to designing spaces that prioritises well-being. In an era where workplace environments profoundly impact employee health and productivity, essentialism stands out—focusing on what truly matters. By minimising visual clutter and investing in elements that enhance physical and mental health, we create workplaces that inspire and energise.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritise Impact: Design with a focus on essential elements that enhance well-being.
• Integrate Wellness: Incorporate natural light, air quality, and ergonomic design to boost health.
• Sustainability Matters: Choose sustainable materials to align design with long-term wellness goals.

Wall art and murals can spark creativity, especially when the right colours are used to set a positive mood in the workspace. (Left image: our project with Five by Five in their new Oxford Street office).

Incorporating nature into the workspace is essential for well-being centric office design, achieved through biophilia, biomimicry and natural finishes.

Key Benefits:

• Boosted Productivity: WELL-designed workspaces have been shown to enhance team productivity by creating an optimal working environment.
• Attracting Top Talent: A well-being-focused office design serves as a unique selling point for businesses, demonstrating a commitment to employee care and attracting top talent.
• Enhanced Employee Satisfaction: WELL-certified workspaces contribute to happier, more satisfied teams by putting human well-being at the forefront of design.

This approach isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about designing spaces that elevate lives and drive success. As I continue to lead workplace projects, these principles will guide my mission to create environments where people thrive.