RESEARCH

The WELL Building Standard is a rating system that measures the attributes of buildings that directly impact occupant health and well-being through seven factors. It is designed to address issues relating to the health, comfort, and knowledge of building occupants.

Buildings should be developed with the user’s health and wellness at the center of design. WELL uses a holistic approach to health in the built environment addressing behavior, operations, and design

The Seven Concepts of WELL

AIR

WATER

Design the space to optimize and achieve indoor air quality through the removal, prevention, and purification of airborne contaminants

Optimize water quality while promoting accessibility by removing contaminants through filtration and treatment

NOURISHMENT

Encourage healthy eating habits for guests by providing healthier food choices, behavioral cues, and knowledge about nutrient quality

Design the space to minimize disruption of user circadian rhythm. Provide lighting control options and appropriate illumination levels to improve energy, mood, and productivity

LIGHT

FITNESS

COMFORT

MIND

Encourage physical activity and movement through building design technologies and knowledge based strategies. Allow occupants to accommodate fitness regimens within their daily schedule

Create an interior environment that is distraction free, productive and soothing to enhance occupant comfort and satisfaction. Incorporate thermal and acoustic controllability and prevent known sources of discomfort

Design to support mental and emotional health, providing the occupant with knowledge and feedback about their environment through design elements, relaxation spaces, and state-of-the-art- technology

PRACTICES THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL WILL EMBRACE . . .

Water Conservation

• Install water saving devices in guest rooms, such as low flow showerheads and aerators in sinks. These systems reduce water consumption and energy costs without reducing water pressure • Implement dual flush and 1.6 gallon water closets • Inform guests about how they can participate in water conservation through infographic cards in room, such as refreshing their linens and towels every few days rather than daily • More space for towel racks in the bathrooms also encourages the guest to reuse towels

Waste Management

• Use biodegradable or recycled products and packaging • Incorporate reusable items, such as cloth laundry bags and shampoo dispensers • Implement recycling program and in-room recycling bins

Solar Energy + Green Roof

• Integrate solar roof panels to generate electricity for the hotel to save energy and costs • Use solar water heaters to heat water • Roof garden to reduce energy use, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions

Lighting

• Use LED’s and compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent to significantly cut down energy consumption and increase bulb lifespan • Integrate motion sensor lights in guest rooms and meeting spaces • Utilize effective daylighting for open areas and incorporate light shelves

FF&E

• Choose materials and products that have little to no environmental impact • Cradle to grave life cycle assessment to determine the impact of material • Use local products to support local business and minimize carbon footprint • Reclaim, recycle, and reuse • Choose materials and products that have little to no VOC’s

Color has a direct affect on our physical and psychological being, emotions and perceptions

How color affects and impacts an individual may be subjective to one’s upbringing, cultural background, and personal preference

Australian National Colors - Cultural Significance

The national colors of Australia hold a treasured place in Australian imagination. These colors are long associated with Australian sporting achievements and environmental connections. The gold color symbolizes Australia’s beaches, mineral wealth, grain harvests and fleece of Australian wool. The emerald green relates to the forests, eucalyptus trees, and pastures found in the Australian landscape. These colors together also represent the national floral emblem, the golden wattle.

Color Psychology

Associated with strong and passionate emotions Love, confidence, excitement, energy Anger, danger

Enthusiasm, excitement, energetic Draws attention Motivation, social, warmth, impulse

Cheerful, optimism, fun, energetic, eyecatching Found to induce feelings of frustration and anger when overused Associated with nature Soothing, calm, health-giving Money, good luck, jealousy, growth stability, positivity

Calming and serene Stable, non-threatening, promotes tranquility and peace Can be associated with sadness

Mysterious, imaginative, spiritual Associated with wealth and royalty Creativity, distinguished, luxury, deep

Pure red light exposure is stimulating and increases heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure Pure blue light exposure is calming and lowers heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure

Select low environmental impact and sustainable materials, products, and finishes

Sustainable flooring, furniture, paints, materials, and windows + glazing to improve indoor air quality, reduce energy and water use, and provide a healthier environment for the occupant

Use products with low to zero VOC content to reduce the health risks associated with “sick-building syndrome” that would affect building occupants

Include interior plants to reduce indoor air contaminants, such as VOCs, improving the indoor environment and enhancing occupant health and well-being

FLOORING

Products from renewable or recyclable materials

Bamboo FSC Certified Hardwood Cork Concrete Natural Slate or Stone Recycled Carpet Tile

NATURAL FIBERS

Eco-friendly textiles derived from animals or plants that are biodegradable, durable, energy efficient, and safer for the public health

Wool Cotton Linen Silk Bamboo Fibers

Sustainable and eco-friendly Building Materials in Australia

Recycled metal, plastic, concrete, and reclaimed timber are all commonly used instead of conventional building materials to reduce waste and provide sustainable alternatives

Hempcrete is growing popularity in Australia as an eco-friendly alternative to concrete. It acts as an insulator and moisture regulator that is ultra-lightweight, naturally non-toxic, and bio-based. It has the ability to regulate temperatures in buildings and negate carbon dioxide within the structure

Research collaboration project with Shea Stewart and Alyssa LeGault

For our external research, we conducted a 10 question survey to a wide range of demographics to gain a better understanding of the impacts sustainable practices have within hotel design on the occupant’s health and wellness. We aimed to find out how these factors influence personal preferences in relation to hotel amenities and accommodations. Our research helped us understand how certain sustainable aspects impact human behavior and which are more favorable than others. We received a total of 84 anonymous responses from diverse age groups and backgrounds.

Sample Questions from Survey. . .

01 A sustainable hotel is defined by a hotel that respects the natural environment and surrounding area, as well as implements sustainable and environmentally friendly features, practices, and amenities. It takes initiatives to maximize environmental efficiency for energy, water, waste, material, noise, and air quality.

If prices were the same between a sustainable and unsustainable hotel, how likely are you to choose the sustainable one?

1% Very Unlikely 1% Unlikely

15% Unaffected / Indifferent

46% Very Likely

36% Likely

02 How likely or willing are you to pay more for a hotel that you knew was sustainable and eco-friendly, versus an unsustainable one?

8% Very Likely 2% Very Unlikely

17% Unlikely

32% Likely

40% Unaffected / Indifferent

03 Ranking from most to least important, please rank the follow factors found in sustainable hotel design below that are the most important and beneficial to you.

1. Access to outdoor spaces and views, inclusion of plants and vegetation 2. Location proximity and transportation availability 3. Notably cutting down on paper and plastic 4. Locally sourced, organic food options 5. Motion sensored, dimmable, and controllable lighting solutions 6. Water efficiency and conservation

Top 4 most important factors to respondents Access to outdoor spaces, views + plants

Location proximity and transportation availability

Cutting down on paper and plastic

Locally sourced, organic food options

04 One’s well-being can be described as making choices that benefit and positively improve your overall health and lifestyle. It includes several factors such as physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual health.

In regards to HOTEL amenities within a sustainable hotel, which of the following choices below would enhance your experience the most in relation to improving your well-being? Please rank from most to least beneficial.

1. Access to a fitness center 2. Free transportation services into town or other local destinations 3. Access to outdoor spaces 4. Sustainable and non-toxic materials applied to spaces 5. Access to a spa 6. Free Wi-fi 7. Access to community spaces within the hotel 8. Access to a public work, study, library space within the hotel

6

Free Wi-Fi

4

1 Access to Fitness Center

7

5

Access to Spa

2

Transportation Services

8

3 Access to Outdoor Spaces

05 In your experience, have there been specific ROOM amenities that have positively enhanced your experience? If so, which of the following would you consider the most beneficial or useful during your stay and overall well-being. Please rank from most to least beneficial/useful.

1 - Controllable and flexible lighting options (dimmable, motion sensored, task and overhead) 2 - Water efficient technology integrated in bathroom to help conserve water 3 - Sustainable, non-toxic, non-irritating materials and furniture products 4 - Outdoor views 5 - All natural, organic bathroom toiletries + products 6 - Blackout curtains on the windows 7 - Resources such as free wi-fi, iron, phone, hairdryer, etc... 8 - Sufficient space and storage

6 Blackout Curtains

4 Outdoor Views

8 Sufficient Space

2

1

Controllable Lighting

5 Organic Products

7 Resources

3

Results from respondents ranking above items from most to least beneficial during their stay

FINDINGS . . .

Overall, our survey results show that the respondents are concerned about sustainability and sustainable practices, but it is not the most critical factor when booking a hotel or the amenities offered. However, an overwhelming majority expressed that outdoor views, plants, and vegetation in the hotel room are the most beneficial factor to their well-being and satisfaction during their stay. This aspect was ranked top for the most important sustainable hotel factor as well as most beneficial room amenity. We can conclude from this that the connection to nature is essential for the health and well-being of guests during their stay.

The most beneficial hotel amenities included free wii-fi, access to outdoor spaces, and both access to a fitness center and transportation services. This demonstrates that most people enjoy the ability to workout and be outdoors, as well as stay connected online and within the community through convenient, free transportation services.

In the annual North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Survey, results show that noise is the top complaint among hotel guests

COMMON SOURCES OF UNWANTED NOISE . . .

• Nightclubs and bars within or nearby hotel • Nearby restaurants • Noise from adjacent rooms + hallways • External noise from surrounding area, such as traffic and construction • HVAC noise and vibrations

DESIGN DECISIONS TO MITIGATE UNWANTED NOISE AND CONTROL ACOUSTICS

• Strategically place noiser spaces further away from guest rooms, such as bar, restaurant, or nightclub • Carefully select and incorporate carpet, materials and furniture pieces that will help absorb sound • For a shared wall between two adjacent suites, don’t place television on same wall as the bed in the other suite to help reduce unwanted sound and vibrations for someone sleeping • Add acoustical insulation to guest room walls to minimize the transfer of soundwaves • Double glaze the windows to help reduce noise pollution

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Indoor air quality is fundamental to our health and wellness. Guests expect a pleasant, healthy, and safe environment during their stay at the boutique hotel

Common sources of air pollutants

VOCs from materials, finishes, furniture and products Toxic, harsh cleaning products that release unwanted chemicals

Inadequate ventilation

External factors

SOLUTIONS

• Fresh air supply and ventilation • Include indoor plants • Control VOC and CO2 levels • Exclusion of FF&E with mediumhigh VOC levels or other known toxins

BENEFITS

• Increases occupant productivity, comfort, health, and regulated sleep