Fitwel
Certification System
Fitwel v2.1 Bri Dazio
Contents 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38
Say Hello to Fitwel Structure of Fitwel Impact Categories Building Certification Fitwel Leaders Location Section Building Access Section Outdoor Spaces Section Entrances Ground Floor Section Stairs Section Indoor Environment Section Workspaces Section Shared Spaces Section Water Supply Section Prepared Food Areas Section Vending Machines/ Snack Bars Section Emergency Preparedness Section Fitwel for All
BCI Head Offices
Say hello to Fitwel
For 2 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA) piloted the Fitwel standard. The goal was to spur market transformation. During that pilot phase, GSA and CDC tested buildings across the country in rural, suburban, and urban offices specifically. Approximately 89 office buildings were chosen to showcase a variety of types, ages, and geographic locations. After tweaking the standard based on those 89, the CDC and GSA handed off the standard to the Center for Active Design. With the vision of a healthier future, Fitwel aims for buildings and communities to strengthen health and wellbeing for occupants. It is based on the analysis of over 3,000 research studies.
“Fitwel
shines a light on the role buildings can play in encouraging healthy behavior and lifestyle
a”
In 2016, New York City’s Center for Active Design became Fitwel’s federal operator and administers the standard worldwide. To date, there are almost 2,000 registered projects, impacting over 1 million people across the globe. While not the first rating system to focus exclusively on occupant health, FItwel excels in its streamlined approach. The ultimate goal of Fitwel is to offer unique and specific strategies to ensure owners and operators can improve wellbeing for occupants across their entire project and/or portfolio. The strategies address a range of health behaviors and risk. Using the Fitwel Portal, design and construction teams have direct access to project performance and health impact details. This easy to use digital platform allows for the evaluation and rating of health based on aspects of the built environment. Fitwel focuses on the built environment as an opportunity. Through the years of research, Fitwel experts discovered a “clear relationship between where we spend our time, the quality, amenities and design of that environment and our individual health outcomes”. People spend close to 90% of their time indoors. It is important to prioritize wellness in design, development, and operations of the interior. Using science-based strategies, Fitwel rewards projects for addressing human health. This leads to healthier buildings and communities, impacting performance, retention and recruitment. A few years prior, IWBI debuted WELL. Both standards have the admirable goal of creating healthy environments. However, the process and effort differ greatly between the two, allowing projects to choose which one best fits the needs. Fitwel offers a simpler and quicker certification process. As the less expensive option, it is a less rigorous process. As such, Fitwel is a good option for projects with a limited budget and accelerated schedule. It focuses on “low-hanging fruit” strategies to support continuous improvement. To add with ease, there are no prerequisites or requirements to be eligible. These strategies tend to be low cost, yet high impact. Fitwel makes wellness accessible to more projects and “shines a light on the role buildings can play in encouraging healthy behavior and lifestyle”
5
Fitwel Project Types
CM CS Community
Commercial Site
MTBB MTWB Multi-Tenant Base Building
Multi-Tenant Whole Building
ST Single Tenant Building
CI RT MFR Commercial Interiors
Retail
Multi-Family Residential
Structure of Fitwel Fitwel strategies are applicable across sites and buildings. With the release of Fitwel v2.1 in August 2019, there are two main project types which can be further broken down into subcategories. The two main types are project sites and buildings. Project sites include Community (CM) and Commercial (CS). Community (CM): applicable to privately or publicly owned/managed sites that are contiguous and incorporate at least 1 residential buildings Commercial Site (CS): applicable to contiguous sites that are owned or managed by a single entity, and includes commercial buildings only Buildings include commercial, mercantile, and multifamily residential projects. Multi-Tenant Base Building (MTBB): applicable to commercial buildings whose floor and common areas are occupied by multiple tenants; regular occupants are considered occupants of owner-controlled areas only, including on-site building staff Multi-Tenant Whole Building (MTWB): applicable to commercial buildings whose floor and common areas are occupied by multiple tenants; regular occupants are considered all occupants of owner controlled areas and tenant spaces Single Tenant Building (ST): applicable to commercial buildings whose floor and common areas are occupied by a single tenant Commercial Interiors (CI): applicable to contiguous spaces within a commercial building that are occupied or controlled by a single tenant; impacts spaces occupied by tenant only Retail (RT): applicable to retail complexes whose floors and common areas are occupied by multiple tenants, or contiguous spaces within a building that are occupied or controlled by a single tenant Multi-family Residential Building (MFR): applicable to residential buildings that contain multiple dwelling units
BCI Head Offices
With these different project types, the tailored scorecards optimize unique opportunities per project. This ensures owners and operators can improve wellbeing for occupants, regardless of project type. When setting up a project in the Fitwel Portal, teams select not only their scorecard based on the project type, but also their pathway. There are two routes for pathways: new construction or existing building. For projects that are new construction, the team would begin with a design certification while the project is built and therefore, unoccupied. Once the project is completed and occupied, it would then be Built Certification. For projects that are existing buildings, Built Certification is the only option.
7
Impact Categories
The Fitwel strategies address health holistically as an interconnected system. By linking empirical, scientific evidence with the strategies, each pertains to at least one of the seven impact categories. Strategies that have the strongest evidence base and a high demonstrated impact are allocated more points. Additionally, many strategies address multiple impact categories. This allows teams to prioritize effective and beneficial options based on the project and its goals. Fitwel uses a dynamic weighted point system. While each strategy has a direct impact on one of the seven impact categories, they are weighted based on the strength of impact. Point allocation is based on the strength of evidence, as well as strength of measurable impact on health, based on a mathematical algorithm. There are seven impact categories.
Impacts Community Health Broadens impact of project beyond the health of on-site occupants to reach those who live, work, play or learn in neighboring areas
8
Reduces Morbidity and Absenteeism
Supports Social Equality for Vulnerable Populations
Promotes decreased rates of chronic disease and mental health conditions; resulting in reduced disease transmissions and fewer missed days of work
Ensures range of populations have increased access to health promoting opportunities through universal accessibility, pricing incentives, and targeted amenities
Instills Feelings
Promotes inclus relaxation and safety through and clean space enhanced conne nature
s of Well Being
sion, perceptions of rejuvenating es with an ection to
117 Kendrick Street
Enhances Access to Healthy Foods Diversifies outlets and sources of food options to promote healthy and nutritious choices
Promotes Occupant Safety
Increases Physical Activity
Protects occupants and decreases risk of crime and injury
Incorporates opportunities for movement into everyday life
9
Building Certification Due to its inexpensive yet highly effective nature, projects can easily achieve Fitwel. There are different levels based on a point rating system. These levels are rated in “stars” ranging from “one star” to “three stars”. The Fitwel process is streamlined using the Fitwel Portal. This interactive digital interface offers direct access to project performance and health impacts. As an encompassing platform, projects complete the entire process in one place. Fitwel boasts a 16 week maximum review process. While teams have to complete work up front to evaluate their initial designs, the process is still shorter than that for WELL.
Building Certification Steps
1
Register
4
For a one time flat fee of $500 per project, registering allows a project to begin and have access to its Fitwel Portal. Here, the team will be able to access their interactive scorecard and performance data
2
Evaluate Upon initial registration, teams must select the appropriate pathway and associated Scorecard type. From there, teams assess how a project measures up against the Fitwel strategies. This is a preliminary evaluation for teams to understand the opportunities available.
3
Benchmark A key factor Fitwel, benchmarking allows teams to create and archive historical snapshots of responses to the Fitwel strategies. Ultimately, this allows the monitoring of how the project improves over time.
10
Submit After initial design work which encompasses evaluating and benchmarking a project’s progress, the team may submit. Through the Fitwel Portal, teams upload required documentation to show compliance with each Fitwel strategy.
5
Review Over the course of 16 weeks maximum, Fitwel’s Certification Team reviews submissions. In a double-blind assessment, two independent assessors review the project and confirm its numerical score. During this review, the Certification Team provides initial comments that the project team may respond to and update as needed. Afterward, the Certification Team does a final review, resulting in the project’s score and rating.
The ratings are as follows: Crosstown Concourse
One Star
90-104 points
Two Stars
6
Certification Based on the review process, the Certification Team will award a project a score and associated rating. With no prerequisites in the standard, projects have an easier time achieving the minimum 90 points for certification. Upon certification, teams pay an additional fee, based on the size of the project.
7
105-124 points
Three Stars
125-144 points
Re-Certification Seeing that buildings are constantly evolving, Fitwel requires recertification every three years. This allows teams to continue to monitor a building’s improvement and make adjustments as needed. Buildings are re-certified for a $500 flat fee.
11
Fitwel Leaders Fitwel is advocated for on a number of levels. While the Center for Active Design pushes the standard as a whole, there are different tiers in how the design industry and professionals can be involved. There are over 2,400 Ambassadors representing over 50 countries as advocates for Fitwel. These Ambassadors are also involved in Champion firms. Firms such as Perkins + Will pledge to incorporate Fitwel into their projects, furthering its reach into the global market of design.
“The Fitwel
Ambassadors are well versed in evidence-based connections between design and health.
a”
Fitwel Ambassadors Individuals can learn more about Fitwel through the Ambassador Course. These leaders have the training and knowledge to integrate health and wellness into the design and operation of a building. Upon completion of the Fitwel Ambassador course, professionals can sit for an exam. As a more accessible standard as a whole, the Fitwel Ambassador training and exam are offered online. While preparation is still necessary, the course guides professionals through the standard. At the conclusion of the one hour prerecorded video, professionals sit for a 50 question test. A passing score of 80%, or at least 40 questions, is required to become a Fitwel Ambassador.
117 Kendrick Street
Fitwel Champions Fitwel Ambassadors are at the individual level as active leaders in the healthy building movement. Fitwel Champions, on the other hand, are companies that pledge to use the standard across their portfolio. Essentially, Champion firms commit to at least 6 projects to be Fitwel certified in a 12 month period.
Amani Place
Fitwel Affiliates Fitwel Affiliates are for companies that cannot commit to the 6 projects in a 12 month period. Instead, these firms advance the movement through an annual contribution of $3,000.
Dakota
13
117 Kendrick Street
200 Clarendon Street
Location Section The Fitwel strategies are organized based on the way a person would experience the building. Starting with the location and site, Fitwel guides projects through the various aspects of the building, from large scale to the more granular level.
1.1 - Walkability 1.2 - Walkability 1.3 - Walkability 1.4 - Proximity to Transit
The Location section includes 4 strategies, totaling 16.21 points available. The section focuses primarily on the building’s relationship to the surrounding site and amenities. For 3 of the 4 strategies, Fitwel aims for projects to be located in areas with high Walk Scores. A building’s Walk Score measures the walkability by analyzing walking routes to nearby amenities. A score is given after measuring distance to each amenity. Pedestrian friendliness, including population density, and road metrics, is also considered as part of the Walk Score. The fourth strategy deals with public transit located near the building. Public transit includes shared passenger transportation services, such as buses, trams, light rails, trains, subways, ferries, private buses, or carpools that run at specific times for use by the general public. As part of the Location section, Fitwel encourages teams to locate projects near transit stops so individuals can take advantage of public transportation. This has a benefit not only to the environment for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but also for the occupants themselves. Across all four strategies, however, the goal is to provide occupants with enhanced access to the community and the amenities it offers.
15
Building Access Section The Building Access section continues to focus on the placement of the project. However, the placement is in relation to how occupants readily access the building when commuting.
2.1 - Pedestrian Route to Transit 2.2 - Commuter Survey 2.3 - Bicycle Parking 2.4 - Active Commuter Showers 2.5 - Incentivizing Transit 2.6 - Efficiency Parking
As part of this section, a Commuter Survey can be distributed for projects to learn more about the ways occupants commute to the building. This helps inform the potential of other strategies. For instance, three of the strategies focus on active commuting, such as through bicycles or walking. If occupants were to bike to the building, showers and lockers should also be provided. However, if the Commuter Survey revealed little need for bicycle parking, those strategies might not be useful. The other strategies consider transportation, whether it be through public transportation or vehicular use. Fitwel aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, whether it be through incentivizing mass transit, or rewarding those who carpool, or other means of efficient parking. Overall, the Building Access section accounts for 6.16 total points available in an effort to make the building more accessible to occupants and the larger community.
16
17 Commerce Court
ARUP Boston
Outdoor Spaces Section As a holistic certification system, Fitwel focuses on the site, in addition to the building shell, interior, and context. The Outdoor Spaces section focuses on the site’s properties, in an effort to bring health and wellness to occupants outdoors. The Outdoor Spaces section offers 13.44 total points available.
3.1 - Outdoor Space Amenities 3.2 - Walking Trail 3.3 - Outdoor Fitness Area 3.4 - Restorative Garden 3.5 - Farmers Market 3.6 - Fruit and Vegetable Garden 3.7 - Pathway and Parking Lighting 3.8 - Tobacco and Smoke-Free Outdoors
Outdoor Spaces cover a broad range. From the most basic standpoint, amenities may include seating within nature. Yet if teams wanted to earn more points and have the ability to do so, ¼ mile long walking trails and restorative gardens offer more benefits to occupants. Providing occupants access to a farmers market, however, offers the most points to teams. Benefits from a farmer’s market hits 5 of the 7 impact categories, making it worth 3.08 points to teams. If a farmer’s market is not nearby, teams can also offer on-site fruit and vegetable gardens, to capitalize on many of those same benefits. This section also addresses the overall outdoor space, including lighting on site. In an effort to increase visibility and the perception of safety, Fitwel rewards teams for evenly distributed illumination. Another aspect addressed throughout the site is having tobacco-and smoke-free spaces. While another strategy in the Indoor Environment section focuses on tobacco and smoking indoors, the Outdoor Spaces section also addresses it. Understanding that not all sites have the space to account for amenities, most of the strategies in this section can be located within ½ mile of the main building entrance. The main idea is to offer amenities for occupants to increase exposure to daylight and nature, thus enhancing physical and mental health.
19
Entrances + Ground Floor Section The Entrances and Ground Floor is the first section to address the building itself. While the first three sections focused on overall context and site, this one considers how occupants approach the building within the immediate context.
4.1 - Tobacco/Smoke-Free Signage 4.2 - Main Pedestrian Entrance 4.3 - Main Entrance Amenities 4.4 - Safe Entry and Exit Lighting 4.5 - Publicly Accessible Use 4.6 - Activate Pedestrian Areas 4.7 - Local Amenities Advertising 4.8 - Entryway Systems
That being said, the strategies in this section complement ones from the other sections. For instance, one strategy rewards projects for orienting the main building entrance towards pedestrian traffic, such as sidewalks, footpaths, plazas, or car-free zones. This ties in with the Building Access strategy. Furthering the Main Pedestrian Entrance, including sidewalk amenities within 100’-0” through benches, public art, or street trees adds even more points. In an effort to engage the community through the building entrance, Fitwel encourages publicly accessible uses or the promotion of local amenities. Publicly accessible uses include libraries, retail stores, and restaurants. These strategies encourage social interaction and community engagement. The actual design of the building entrance is also addressed in this section. In order to improve indoor air quality, Fitwel encourages the use of 10’-0” long entryway systems to reduce the amount of dirt and particulates. Proper lighting at all building entrances is also encouraged for illumination to increase the perception of safety. This section bridges the site and the building itself. The remaining sections focus primarily on the building itself and the occupant experience.
20
350 Mission Street
theMART
Stairs Section In an effort to promote physical activity, Fitwel rewards teams for incorporating stair design into the project. However, as a cost effective standard, Fitwel does not require any of these strategies to be applied. That being said, if a team can utilize some of them, there are 14.56 points available.
5.1 - Stair Access 5.2 Stair Location 5.3 - Stair Design 5.4 - Stair Signage 5.5 - Stair Visibility 5.6 - Stair Safety
For multi-story buildings, the stairs addressed are not only monumental stairs. Egress stairs can also earn points, by applying the same principles. The strategies seen in this section deal with stair location, as well as design. In terms of location, stairs should be equally or more prominent than elevators and/or escalators. By placing the stair front and center, it encourages occupant use. Signage located near the elevators also encourages stair use. Stair design incorporates active design strategies, such as motivational graphics, creative lighting, and access to daylight. Stair safety measures are also important to add. While codes regulate certain aspects of the stair, additional measures can make occupants feel more comfortable. Design makes the stair a more welcoming place, one that people would seek out. Considering the stair during the project not only benefits occupants, but also brings another level of design to the project.
23
Indoor Environment Section The Indoor Environment section offers a large amount of points. This section boasts 18.19 points available. For the most part, the section focuses on Indoor Air Quality.
6.1 - Tobacco/Smoke-Free Environment 6.2 - Asbestos- Safe Property 6.3 - Indoor Air Quality Policy 6.4 - Indoor Air Quality Testing 6.5 - Indoor Air Quality Testing Results 6.6 - Green Purchasing Policy 6.7 - Chemical Storage Ventilation 6.8 - Integrated Pest Management
24
As a complement to the Outdoor Spaces section, a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Environment for the indoor space is considered a strategy. This promotes healthy clean air from the start. Similar to the other strategies, a policy and signage must be in place to notify occupants. An Indoor Air Quality Policy establishes a level of control to ensure air quality remains high over time. However, the policy is best accompanied by testing and monitoring. Fitwel rewards projects for conducting testing annually, as well as sharing those results with occupants. While MEP would deal with the equipment needed to clean the air, designers and architects can impact indoor air quality through space planning. MEP can provide a separate source of ventilation for areas that use or store chemicals. However, the design team can plan those spaces separate from others, to keep the pollutants contained. The strategies in this section all relate to one another, to ultimately support healthy indoor air quality and contribute to enhanced physical and mental health.
Perkins + Will San Francisco Office
Google Chelsea Office
Workspaces Section For the Workplace Scorecard specifically, section seven deals with Workspaces. The workspaces addressed are most typical for commercial offices that use workstations. This section offers 7.56 total points available.
7.1 - Natural Daylight 7.2 - Views of Nature 7.3 - Operable Shading 7.4 - Active Workstations 7.5 - Thermal Comfort
Two of the strategies in this section relate to how the space plan of workspaces is laid out. By locating workspaces closer to the perimeter, occupants are provided daylight and views of nature. In the cases of interior fit outs or renovations, it is important for the team to maximize any windows for the majority of occupants using the workspaces. For new construction, the team has more flexibility with the architectural facade, but should still consider how to maximize the benefits of glazing. At the glazing itself, the team should include operable shading. This gives occupants control over the workspace. By increasing occupant control, this enhances mental health and comfort for occupants. Another way to give occupants control is through thermal control devices. These devices are specified by MEP, but must be integrated into the space plan, to allow for full occupant control. The most occupant control, however, is given through active workstations. Active workstations allow occupants to adjust as conducive to their workstyle, while also increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary time. The goal of the Workspaces section is to give occupants control to feel more comfortable in their surroundings.
27
Shared Spaces Section Similar to the previous section, Shared Spaces is specific to the Workplace Scorecard. Shared spaces include restrooms, break areas, mother’s rooms, multi-purpose rooms, and exercise or fitness rooms. With a variety of spaces impacted by this section, it offers the most points with 20.15 available.
8.1 - Bathroom Cleaning Protocol 8.2 - Hand-Washing Signage 8.3 - Common Break Areas 8.4 - Break Areas Cleaning Protocol 8.5 - Quiet Room 8.6 - Lactation Rooms and Stations 8.7 - Multi-Purpose Room 8.8 - Exercise Room 8.9 - Fitness Facility 8.10 - Crop Share Drop-Off 8.11 - Health Programming 8.12 - Occupant Satisfaction Survey 8.13 - Stakeholder Collaboration Process
Two strategies address restrooms. To reduce the transmission of bacteria, restrooms should have a regular cleaning protocol established, as well as signage promoting handwashing. Providing common break areas with refrigerators, sinks, microwaves, and seating to accommodate all regular occupants earns teams more points. Like the restrooms, the break area should be cleaned weekly, to again decrease exposure to pathogens. While restrooms and break areas are exceedingly common in commercial office design, quiet rooms and dedicated mother’s rooms are not always included. Fitwel rewards teams for adding both of these to the space plan. In fact, the strategy to include Lactation Rooms and Stations offers the most points in the entire scorecard. Depending on the space available in the project, teams can also earn points by providing multi-purpose rooms and/or exercise rooms. In order to give teams the option, both of these spaces may be provided within the project or within a ½ mile walking distance. Fitwel also deals with policy in this section. The Health Programming strategy encourages companies to bring health and wellness to the forefront by offering two programs, such as mental health classes, fitness programs, and nutrition classes. Through these programs and an Occupant Satisfaction Survey, companies prioritize health. This section highlights the partnership between design team, owners, and end users or occupants. Collaborating together not only earns additional points through a Stakeholder Collaboration Process, but it also maximizes benefits to all.
28
Phenix
LendLease Chicago
Water Supply Section In considering occupant health, Fitwel promotes drinking healthy, clean water. The 6.72 points available in this strategy take water supply into account in the design.
9.1 - Universally Accessible Water Supply 9.2 - Water Bottle Refilling Station 9.3 - Water Quality
Drinking an appropriate amount of water during the day is extremely beneficial. Most people do not drink the recommended 64 ounces of water throughout the day. In an attempt to remedy that, Fitwel rewards projects for bringing water to the forefront of design. At a minimum for this section, projects should include accessible water fountains on all floors. Accessible water fountains should comply with either ADA or ISO 21542 requirements. To gain more points, teams can specify water fountains that include a water bottle refilling station. Even if teams provide water supply points, it is important to have clean water. Teams should set a plan in place to conduct regular water quality testing. By ensuring the project is connected to a potable water source that reduces exposure to pathogens, this reduces rates of disease and adverse health effects. Drinking 64 ounces of water in a day can be a challenge. But through design, it can become easier.
31
Prepared Food Areas Section While the Prepared Food Areas section deals more with owner policy, architects and designers will have an opportunity to make an impact.
10.1 - Healthy Food and Beverage Policy 10.2 - Choice Architecture 10.3 - Pricing Incentives 10.4 - Water Access
Totaling 14.81 points available, this section focuses on policy and pricing mainly. One of the strategies is to establish and implement a Healthy Food and Beverage Policy in the prepared area. For projects that do not have a prepared food area for regular occupants, projects may implement a catering policy instead. Within the food area, policy should also implement pricing incentives. These incentives are to encourage occupants to consume healthy foods and beverages. Lastly, in terms of policy, projects should provide access to free potable water in the prepared food areas. Architecture and design can make an impact through the Choice Architecture strategy. This strategy rewards teams for employing design to encourage healthier choices. Design strategies range from signage, to displays, to even layout. For projects that do not have prepared food areas for regular occupants only, educational signage may be located in a common break room to promote healthy eating as an Alternative Compliance. Nutrition is such a key aspect of health. In an effort to increase access and awareness of healthy choices, Fitwel rewards teams for related policy and design.
32
WSP Brisbane Fitout
HDR Arlington Office
Vending Machines/ Snack Bars Section The Vending Machines and Snack Bars section is similar to the Prepared Food Areas one. For projects that do include vending machines and snack bars, Fitwel encourages healthy choices through policy and design.
11.1 - Healthy Vending Machines/ Snack Bars 11.2 - Vending/ Snack Bar Choice Architecture 11.3 - Pricing Incentives 11.4 - Water Access
This section offers a total of 6.72 points available. The strategies are very similar to the ones in the Prepared Food Areas section, simply adjusted to cater to vending machines and snack bars. In terms of policy, one strategy is to establish and implement a Healthy Food and Beverage policy as it relates to vending machines and snack bars. In an effort to offer nutritional benefits to occupants, this policy, combined with the pricing incentives strategy, increases access to healthy foods. To further the policy, Fitwel also rewards teams for locating free potable water supply within 20’-0” from the vending machine and snack bar areas. In the case with this strategy, it is beneficial to have the design team collaborate and ensure vending machines and snack bars are properly located near a water supply. The last strategy also relates to design. Choice Architecture can be employed to once again encourage healthy food selections through displays, signage, and layouts. Through policy and design, teams can increase access to healthy food options to improve occupant eating habits and nutrition.
35
Emergency Preparedness Section Rounding out the Fitwel Workplace Scorecard is the Emergency Preparedness Section. Similar to many other sections, this one combines policy and design for a total of 7.83 points available.
12.1 - Emergency Preparedness Plan 12.2 - Automated External Defibrillator 12.3 - Certified First Responders 12.4 - Emergency Address Notification
In the case of an emergency, it is important for projects to be prepared. The building itself, along with the occupants, must be properly equipped to respond. One strategy pushes projects to implement a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plan. As part of this strategy, teams should create a framework to be shared with occupants. This framework should outline resources, protective actions, and gathering spaces in the case of an emergency. One aspect of the Emergency Preparedness Plan relates to notifying occupants. This Fitwel strategy asks projects to provide an automated emergency address notification system. This system should broadcast information to all occupants during emergencies. Another resource as outlined in that strategy relates to the AED strategy. Per Fitwel, projects should install AEDs on each occupied floor that are tested regularly. AEDs can improve response time for negative cardiac events in those situations. The last Fitwel strategy includes humans as a resource. Projects should include full time Certified First Responders, at least one per every 100 occupants. These first responders can decrease response time during an emergency, and properly handle the AED and other equipment on site. While emergencies are hopefully not part of the daily life of a project, it is important to prepare for them. By having a system and structure in place, projects will be well equipped in those scenarios.
36
Hord Coplan Macht Denver Office
HDR Arlington Office
Fitwel for All Ultimately, Fitwel aims to be an inclusive rating system to promote health and wellness for all buildings and occupants. By making the system cost-effective and no required strategies, projects of all kinds can utilize its principles. Science has shown the importance of a healthy building. The built environment impacts humans health, not only physical, but mental and social health as well. Utilizing the Fitwel strategies, teams can impact lives for the better. With people spending 90% of time indoors, there is a clear relationship between the places where we live, work, and play. By designing spaces to foster healthy habits, buildings have the power to alter a person’s health trajectory. Fitwel’s lofty goal is to envision a healthier future where every building and community is enhanced to support wellbeing. With each project certified, this goal is one step closer to being achieved.
“Transform
the culture and practice of design and development to ensure equitable access to vibrant public and private spaces to support healthy and engaged communities
a”
39
References and Resources Featured Projects: •BCI Head Offices •Three Star Fitwel Rating •117 Kendrick Street •Pending certification •Crosstown Concourse •Three Star Fitwel Rating •Amani Place •One Star Fitwel Rating •Dakota •Two Star Fitwel Rating •200 Clarendon Street •One Star Fitwel Rating •Commerce Court •One Star Fitwel Rating •ARUP Boston •Three Star Fitwel Rating •350 Mission Street •Two Star Fitwel Rating •theMART •Two Star Fitwel Rating •Perkins + Will San Francisco Office •One Star Fitwel Rating •Google Chelsea •Pending certification •Phenix •Three Star Fitwel Rating •LendLease Chicago •Three Star Fitwel Rating •WSP Brisbane Fitout •Two Star Fitwel Rating •HDR Arlington •Three Star Fitwel Rating •HCM Denver •One Star Fitwel Rating
40
Research: https://officesnapshots.com/2019/01/24/bci-offices-vancouver/ https://www.salus.global/article-show/well-and-fitwel-a-comparison-of-health-focused-rating-systems https://www.archdaily.com/890934/crosstown-concourse-looney-ricks-kiss/5aaefee2f197cc7cb4000685-crosstownconcourse-looney-ricks-kiss-photo?next_project=no https://centerforactivedesign.org/fitwel-sets-the-standard-for-healthy-communities https://storage.googleapis.com/hdl-vaw-2015-live/app/image/Dakota%20Weybridge%20-%20smaller.jpg https://api.bdaily.co.uk/articles/2019/10/31/two-new-businesses-join-fitwel-certified-surrey-office-space https://mcginnphotography.com/crosstown-concourse-for-architectural-record https://www.ambius.com/blog/exploring-fitwel-certification/ https://www.aia.org/articles/188756-how-health-factors-into-green-building-rati:31 https://www.ul.com/services/fitwel-certification-services https://www.quadreal.com/quadreal-fitwel-viral-response-module-certification/ https://lemay.com/projects/the-phenix/ https://www.floornature.com/blog/lemay-net-positive-phenix-14981/ https://architizer.com/projects/the-phenix/ https://interiorarchitects.com/projects/boston-properties/ https://www.vno.com/office/property/themart/3311654/landing https://architectureplusinformation.com/themart-fitwel-certification https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/one-channel-center-6271 https://tishmanspeyer.com/properties/one-channel-center https://www.usgbc.org/projects/lendlease-chicago-office https://www.usgbc.org/projects/perkinswill-san-francisco-studio https://perkinswill.com/news/fitwel-progress-report-continuing-our-commitment/ https://centerforactivedesign.org/arbor-house https://www.bisnow.com/san-francisco/news/office/sfs-350-mission-worlds-largest-commercial-building-to-receive-zerowaste-certification-97049 https://kilroyrealty.com/property/350-mission https://www.hlw.design/projects/google-chelsea-market-6th-floor/ https://prismpub.com/the-fitwel-certification-system-gains-widespread-adoption/ https://gresb.com/well-fitwel-getting-know-healthy-building-certification-systems/ https://www.wsp.com/en-GB/news/2020/welcome-to-our-sensational-brisbane-office https://www.wsp.com/en-US/news/2021/boston-office-first-to-receive-fitwel-certification https://www.wsp.com/en-GL/news/2019/wsps-new-brisbane-office-achieves-highest-scoring-fitwel-certification-inaustralia https://milehighcre.com/workplace-wellness-inside-hord-coplan-machts-new-denver-office/ https://www.bdcnetwork.com/wellness-movement-catching-aec-firms https://www.aia.org/articles/188756-how-health-factors-into-green-building-rati:31 https://www.hcm2.com/hord-coplan-macht-moves-to-dairy-block-to-accommodate-growth-in-denver/ https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180410005129/en/HDR-Becomes-Fitwel-Champion-Certifies-First-Officewith-3-Star-Rating https://www.hdrinc.com/portfolio/hdr-arlington-design-studio
41
Thank You
