Well™ Certification
WELL certification is the world’s first building standard that focuses exclusively on human health and wellness. At Alpin, we live and breathe sustainable practices.
Our commitment, however, goes above and beyond creating projects that are environmentally efficient. We believe that people are the biggest asset a company can have, and as a result, human health and wellness should be a top priority. That’s why we were naturally drawn to WELL - a pioneering new rating system that focusses on the human aspects of a development. Simply put, by enhancing the quality of life for a building’s occupants, WELL concepts can help your project command higher rents, attract and retain the most talented employees and pay you dividends in both the short and long-term.
What exactly is WELL certification?
Originally from the USA, but tailored for global projects, WELL was launched in 2014 after six years of intensive research and development by the International Well Building Institute. Developed by designers, medical professionals, psychologists and a host of other experts, the WELL Building Standard lays down an impressive blueprint for increasing the health rating of buildings and their interiors. Projects incorporating WELL features quickly see vast improvements in occupants’ productivity, creativity and retention, both in the short and long-term.
Indeed, we were so impressed by the WELL ethos, that Alpin became the first company in the Middle East to join the movement by investing in in-house accreditation of WELL APs (similar to LEED APs), making us a regional authority on WELL Building Standards. To us it makes perfect sense. WELL is a natural complement to the LEED Gold Certification of our headquarters in Masdar City, which was awarded in 2015 by the US Green Building Council. It also ties in excellently with our Alpin Healthy HR campaign, a wide ranging initiative centered on a commitment to enhancing our employees’ well-being.
73%
Of building owners believe healthier buildings positively affect rental rates
62%
Of owners believe, that healthier buildings would have a positive impact on overall asset values
That’s why we encourage industry leaders such as yourself, to not only focus on building efficiency, but on creating spaces that put the health and wellbeing of your staff and occupants first and foremost. While one might think it is too costly to consider occupants’ wellbeing within building’s design, in the long-term, this will have a meaningful and significant impact on your return on investment.
Simply put, healthier buildings foster happier, more productive and attentive staff, who will thrive to retain their positions and boost your company’s overall performance.
Alpin’s locally based team are the region’s leading authority on creating WELL Certified spaces that greatly enhances the performance of occupants, and can also help you implement a wide range of design strategies based on WELL’s seven special concepts. Imagine creating a positive work environment that boosts your employee productivity by even a few percentages. Just think what that will mean for your financial returns in the medium to long-term.
Contact us today to see how you can join this exciting movement to make buildings healthier and more productive for all.
The WELL Certification Standards
What does WELL certification stand for? Here’s what you need to know!
The WELL Building Standard focusses on seven concepts + innovation that not only take into consideration the design and operations of a building, but also how they impact human health and well-being.
Air
Clean air is vital to our health. WELL’s AIR concepts feature strategies to reduce indoor air pollution.
Water
WELL promotes safe and clean water by implementing proper filtration techniques and testing, so that occupants can enjoy the highest quality of water.
Nourishment
WELL limits the availability of unhealthy foods within a building and instead encourages the presence of fresh, wholesome options for occupants.
Light
WELL promotes lighting systems that work in harmony with the body’s circadian rhythms by helping to increase alertness, enhance productivity and support good sleep quality.
Comfort
WELL supports the creation of indoor environments that are free from distractions such as unwanted noise, comfortable and highly productive.
Mind
WELL’s innovation concept believes that mind and body are intrinsically linked. It optimizes cognitive and emotional health through design, technology and treatment strategies.
Fitness
WELL encourages the integration of health and fitness strategies and facilities to boost the health and well-being of a building’s occupants.
Innovation
WELL certification embraces creative thinking and welcomes submissions for new features under WELL’s concepts.
WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management
Alpin helps you achieve the new WELL Health-Safety Rating by the International WELL Building Institute. COVID-19 showed us that offices will need to become safer and healthier to protect people and ensure we work in a safe environment. The WELL Health-Safety Rating addresses these challenges and needs.
WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management is a third-party verified rating based on scientific evidence for all facility types. It focuses on addressing a post-COVID-19 environment by considering four major factors: operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans, and stakeholder education.
Alpin became the first office in the Middle East to achieve WELL Health-Safety Rating Certification. In the same way, the Alpin Headquarters in Abu Dhabi was the first office building in the Middle East to achieve WELL Certification.
Wondering if you should choose LEED or WELL as your certification standard? The answer is: These certifications are made to complement each other. You see, they fulfill different purposes. While LEED is focused on green standards and building sustainability, WELL focuses on the health of building occupants. Both certifications will have an impact on your ROI and overall building valuation.
By choosing either standard, you’ve already done a lot of the work required to achieve the other standard. So if you become WELL certified, you are already close to getting LEED certified.
Environmental comfort is ranked as the TOP change that can boost productivity in the workplace
White Paper: LEED Costs, Benefits and ROI (Energy, Water, CapEx, Health and Productivity)
When it comes to the decision making process for real-property investments, first cost savings are often a priority over green building and sustainable life cycle creation. A perceived lack of information about the actual costs and benefits of green buildings has led, in some cases, to concerns about whether to make a higher investment.
Learn more about the costs and benefits of leed certification and ROI.
Are you committed to building great things?
