Health

Healthy Buildings

What is it?

A healthy building is designed to facilitate and measure the health and wellness of its occupants. Recent studies demonstrate the negative effects of health as a result of prolonged time spent indoors. Spending long amounts of time sitting in an office is now analogous to smoking cigarettes.

Updates to the LEED rating system and the release of wellness specific rating systems mark this trend. The WELL Building Standard launched in 2014 by Delos and more recently Fitwel from the Center for Active Design, provide an enhanced set of criteria for including health into building design and operations. The LEED rating system has also includes more stringent criteria for building materials, including more rigid building product and disclosures of material ingredients.

Health is particularly important in school buildings given the connection to establishing healthy behaviors at a young age and the impact on academic achievement. 

How big an Investment are healthy buildings?

Like many sustainable design features, implementing healthy features into building design has varying costs depending on the measure. More simplistic solutions, like promoting activity by exposing stairwells and making them more enticing for users, do not typically add costs to a project. Similarly, specifying materials that have lower toxicity or providing healthy food options are relatively low-cost. Several strategies such as water filtration, daylighting with access to views, and thermal control should be included as best practices in design. Strategies such as increasing ventilation come with a larger cost due to the increase in size of mechanical equipment required. Pursuing healthy building certifications have varying costs. Fitwel has a relatively low price with project registration and certification totaling a maximum of $7,000. Certification through the WELL Building standard starts at $22,500 for new and existing buildings that are 50,000 square feet or less and increases in price with building size. These costs include the certification only and do not include the cost of implementing the measures or consulting.

What are the sustainable benefits?

Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of healthy buildings on student performance. Most recently, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published a study called “Schools for Health: Foundations for Student Success” SchoolsforHealth. The research provides overwhelming evidence that student health, thinking, and function are improved by increased ventilation, moderate humidity levels, daylight and views to the outdoors, balanced acoustics, and reduced dusts, pests, mold, and moisture.  Past research also tied healthy buildings to employee retention and reduced absenteeism, as well as increased value. By including healthy design principles in a project, we can ensure that both students and faculty function peak performance. 

Farm in a Box

What is it?
Sustainability goes beyond sustainable design, working to create opportunities where students embody the principles of conservation and environmental awareness. There are a number of ways that sustainability can brought into teaching and learning that also have practical, real-life applications.

One such approach is the concept of a ‘farm-in-a-box,’ a compact container that contains all of the elements to grow plants and food. The farm can be created within a used shipping container and uses hydroponic technology, which is a way of growing plants without soil. This approach also complements active learning and interdisciplinary approaches to learning. A Farm-in-a-Box solution represents the latest in agricultural technology and can be used to teach curriculum ranging from biology to horticulture to computer science. In urban environments this technology exposes students to science of growing their own food, an abstract concept for many, if not most. In rural environments this technology trains students how to interact with the agricultural technologies of the future and could be used to complement other kinds of farming activities.

Many communities suffer from food injustice issues, such as food deserts, where there is a lack of healthy, affordable, fresh food in the community. Additionally, the space required by these systems is significantly less than traditional farming and therefore makes more economic sense. Depending on the location, the farm in a box allows for plants to be grown in areas where they would otherwise be infeasible due to the local climate. Now plants that thrive in hot, humid climates could theoretically be grown anywhere, even in dry, arid climates.

How big an Investment are Indoor Plants?
The cost of creating a school garden can vary widely. A traditional farm-in-a-box will range from $50,000-$80,000 depending on the manufacturer and materials used. However, similar objectives can be achieved with smaller scale projects such as planter beds and indoor hydroponic or aeroponic growing racks for minimal costs. The more sophisticated versions have added costs due to technology such as solar pv to power the grow systems, battery storage systems for backup, water pumps, basic farming tools, sensors and wifi connectivity. There may also be additional ongoing costs for the seedlings as well as the nutrients required for the plants to grow.

What are the benefits to instruction?
One of the obvious benefits of the farm in a box concept is local food production. In addition to providing fresh, healthy food, the students can connect with the broader community by donating the food directly to local food pantries or selling using a co-op or CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) method which could help pay for the materials. Local volunteers such as community members and parents can also be utilized to support these efforts. There are also benefits of workforce training such as technology, agriculture/farming, and project management.

The students will also have the benefit of eating healthy foods which can improve their own health and provide further success in the class. A recent report1 demonstrated that significant improvements in student performance were found when plants were present, compared with classes without plants (increases between 10-14%) and recommend that indoor plants be a standard installation for school classrooms. Trials found that classroom plants consistently led to improvement in spelling, mathematics, and science performance.

Additionally, planting and growing can be used as a hands on tool for lessons in science, on the various organisms, plant anatomy, earth science, as well as mathematics and even art. The food products produced can be used in other classes such as home economics or cooking, preparing a new wave of chefs who utilize local foods. The long-term nature of growing can also provide students with a sense of responsibility for the growth and care of the plants and a reason to never give up.

1 Daly, et al. “Plants in the Classroom Can Improve Student Performance.” 2010. 

Wellness Best Practices for the Built Environment

There is a recent trend of incorporating wellness trends into building and workplace design. Our society has reached new levels of health challenges, which have precipitated this trend, not limited to stress, work/life imbalance due to constant connection and technology, air and water pollution, lack of exercise, an increasing number of working years, and poor diet. There is also a recent recognition of the impact of the built environment to cognitive development and a neurological connection linking physical and emotional development. We spend more than 90% of our time indoors and our workplaces and institutions can play a big part in improving human health through wellness.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggested that office buildings should look to NASA for inspiration when thinking about ideal human environments. We now have the data and controllability in our environments to design spaces that provide a level of control to maximize the wellness, associated productivity, benefits its occupants, previously only afforded to spaceships. 

There is a recent trend of incorporating wellness trends into building and workplace design. Our society has reached new levels of health challenges, which have precipitated this trend, not limited to stress, work/life imbalance due to constant connection and technology, air and water pollution, lack of exercise, an increasing number of working years, and poor diet. There is also a recent recognition of the impact of the built environment to cognitive development and a neurological connection linking physical and emotional development. We spend more than 90% of our time indoors and our workplaces and institutions can play a big part in improving human health through wellness.

 

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggested that office buildings should look to NASA for inspiration when thinking about ideal human environments. We now have the data and controllability in our environments to design spaces that provide a level of control to maximize the wellness, associated productivity, benefits its occupants, previously only afforded to spaceships. 

 

Using data from these studies as well as new advancements in sensor technologies, several rating systems have launched recently to advance health and wellness and improve the quality of life throughout the built environment.

  • The WELL Building Standard was launched in October 2014 by Delos to address health issues related to office environments. It outlines strategies for the improvement of air and water quality, nourishment, fitness, the mind, light, and comfort.
  • Fitwel was recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administered by the Center for Active Design. Fitwel provides an evidence-based checklist focusing on health in the following categories: increased physical activity, healthy food options, occupant safety, social equity for vulnerable populations, morbidity and absenteeism, community health, and feelings of well-being.
  • RESET (Regenerative Ecological, Social & Economic Targets) focuses on the real time measurement of occupant health performance of indoor spaces in real time. The parameters covered the rating system are air, water, and comfort (in development). Each must be monitored and tracked.

Other, more traditional sustainability rating systems like LEED and The Living Building Challenge (LBC) have also incorporated wellness. LEED Version 4 raised the bar on health-related strategies including a shift on healthy building materials and enhanced lighting. LBC has a health and happiness and materials petals focusing on daylight, biophilia, toxic material reduction, and natural ventilation.

Beyond impacts directly related to employee health, employers are realizing productivity improvements of 8-11% from indoor air quality, according to the World Green Building Council. Professional service organization, PwC, reported a 9% reduction in staff turnover, water savings of $2.7 million during the first phase of its wellness program. A similar organization reported a 10% reduction in staff turnover, saving $770,000 in one year1.

The focus on employee wellbeing exemplified by these new rating systems shows that this issue has renewed salience as we go about designing and building our spaces. New technologies are giving us the tools to measure the impact on the inhabitants of those spaces. Many of these strategies and technologies do not layer on significant costs and the data makes it clear that they have significant impacts on health as well as productivity.

Examples of strategies to increase wellness in the built environment:

Lighting:

  • Advanced lighting that does not disrupt the natural 24 hour cycle, including circadian rhythms and a focus on providing or simulating daylight wherever possible
  • Dimmable lighting that can help people see clearly and also adjust to different needs
  • Lighting sensors tied to movement

Culture:

  • Availability of Healthy Food Options for snacks and vending machines
  • Water purification systems and hydration stations placed strategically that encourage employees to hydrate
  • Adjustable surfaces, including desks and other work spaces that allow employees to work at varying heights depending on task
  • Laptops for employees to allow them to choose their preferred working spaces and flexible working hours
  • Flexible and multipurpose meeting spaces that include varying table heights and seating options

Active Physical Environments:

  • Walking paths to encourage activity outside and between offices
  • Provide active furniture such as treadmill and walking desks
  • Promote walking meetings
  • Stairways that encourage their use over elevators (include artwork, enhanced lighting, exposed stairways)
  • Trash and recycling in a centralized location versus at each employee desk
  • Distinct areas for break rooms to encourage employee relaxation and movement away from the desks and personal spaces
  • On-site amenities including exercise and yoga spaces as well as health services
  • Provide stretching and relaxation areas and/or gym memberships to employees

Air Quality:

  • Healthy building materials including furniture
  • Increased air quality through ventilation and enhanced filtration

1  2016. CBRE. “Wellness in the Workplace: Unlocking Future Performance.”

The WELL Building Standard

What is it?

There is a recent trend of incorporating wellness trends into building and workplace design. Our society has reached new levels of health challenges, which have precipitated this trend, not limited to stress, work/life imbalance due to constant connection and technology, air and water pollution, lack of exercise, an increasing number of working years, and poor diet. There is also a recent recognition of the impact of the built environment to cognitive development and a neurological connection linking physical and emotional development. We spend more than 90% of our time indoors and our workplaces and institutions can play a big part in improving human health through wellness or salutogenic design.

The WELL Building Standard was launched in October 2014 by Delos to address health issues related to office environments. It is the first building start focusing on health and wellness of people within the built environment. The standard outlines strategies for the improvement of air and water quality, nourishment, fitness, the mind, light, and comfort. Similar to LEED, WELL has a rating systems that allows buildings to be certified to certain levels of WELLness: Silver, Gold, and Platinum, and has a number of overlapping features. The certification can be used on both new and existing buildings as well as interior and core and shell projects. There are currently pilot projects underway for certifying education facilities, retail, restaurant, commercial kitchen, and multifamily residential projects. 

The project is documented using a verification matrix which allows teams to track the requirements for each credit. In order to ensure the wellness components of the project are functional, a performance verification must be conducted on the building for one year to evaluate several environmental parameters and achieve certification. Additionally, in order to maintain certification, recertification of the project must be done every three years (excluding Core and Shell projects).

Each of the credits in the WELL Building Standard are tied to the body system that it will benefit from digestive to endocrine to muscular. A sampling of the 100 features includes strategies for moisture management, antimicrobial surfaces, drinking water promotion, safe food preparation, mindful eating, active furnishings, olfactory comfort, workplace family support, and material transparency.

The Pilot for Educational Facilities includes the following additional credits which are geared toward health and wellness in schools:

  • Access to healthy food
  • Strategic dining area design (using Smart Lunchroom Assessment Scorecard and a convenience line for smart food choosers)
  • Fitness requirements, including sufficient lighting, sidewalks, crosswalks, safe routes to school, and playgrounds
  • Impact reducing flooring for a better acoustic environment
  • Education space provisions for to avoid classroom disruptions and stress

How much does it cost?

The cost to certify are broken up by registration, certification, and performance verification costs. Registration ranges from $1,500-$10,000 depending on the project scope. Certification fees start at $4,000 and range from $0.08-$0.23 per square foot depending on type and size of the project. Performance verification costs approximately $9,000 and ranges from $0.15-$0.35 per square foot. A 100,000 square foot building can expect to pay at least $54,500 for a new or existing building certification under the WELL standard or $81 per occupant. These costs include the registration and certification only and do not include the cost of implementing the measures or consulting.

The cost to pursue individual credits varies. For new construction, it is often easier to integrate into the design and existing buildings tend to be constrained by the features they already have in place. A recent buildout project completed with WELL features came to less than $1 per square feet in additional costs, while one of the first reported a premium of 1.73% ($3.60/sf)1 2. Building owners have indicated that health buildings rent as high as 20% more than market rate. In addition, there are operational and savings which drive down the cost as well as gains in productivity.

 

What are the benefits to sustainability?

Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of healthy buildings on student performance. Recent studies from Harvard indicate that improving indoor air quality has a positive effect on cognitive function, including decision-making, attention, concentration, and memory as measured by percentage of outside air and level of particulates3. Daylight is also a key component of sustainability and healthy design with demonstrated impacts of increased attendance and faster test scores for students4 5. 

Chronic exposure to noise can lead to deficits in test scores and student achievement tests and impede comprehension and concentration. Past research also tied healthy buildings to employee retention and reduced absenteeism, as well as increased value. By including healthy design principles in a project, we can ensure that both students and faculty function peak performance. 

 

1  http://www.nreionline.com/office/well-certification-worth-it-developers

2  Whitney Austin Gray, Delos. Expanding Salutogenic Design with the WELL Building Standard. 2016

3 2016. Environmental Health Perspectives. “Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments.” Web: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4892924/

4  Heshong Mahone Group. (1999). Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance. Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Web: http://h-m-g.com/downloads/Daylighting/schoolc.pdf

5  Healthy Schools Network, Inc. (2012). Daylighting. Web: http://www.healthyschools.org/downloads/Daylighting.pdf