TENDER LOVING CARE WELL v2 CERTIFICATION FOR TLC ENGINEERING FOR ARCHITECTURE:
ORLANDO RENOVATION
Ashley Bowers | DCP 4290 | Bahar Armaghani | August 2018
Citrus Center, Home to TLC Offices Orlando
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
GREEN BUILDING 5
EMPATHIC DESIGN 7
WELL BUILDING STANDARD™ 8
WELL V2™ 10
COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF GREEN BUILDING 14
AIR 15
WATER 20
NOURISHMENT 22
LIGHT 25
MOVEMENT 27
THERMAL COMFORT 29
SOUND 32
MATERIALS 33
MIND AND COMMUNITY 34
COST-BENEFIT CONCLUSION 35
TLC ENGINEERING FOR ARCHITECTURE AND WELLV2 | FINAL SUMMARY 37
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES 39
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INTRODUCTION
The earth’s surface has altered dramatically since humans evolved the capabilities
to form their own destiny. Skyscrapers rose where trees fell. Asphalt replaced fertile
soil. The atmosphere bloated with gases from our productivity. This is abominable,
but I approach these uncomfortable truths as opportunities. Technology viewed in its
basic form is human intuition overcoming obstacles. Today, we are overwhelmed
with an array of setbacks unfolding before us that are further complicated by our own
social organization. But, when we reflect on our accomplishments as a species, we
possess prodigious consciousness and incredible capabilities, more so than any other
being that ever existed. Technological solutions are out there and we can achieve
them with our collective reasoning and potential.
My capstone discusses the sector that I have studied over my career at the
University of Florida, the built environment. This may seem just a miniscule sliver of
the whole society, however, improving how we build will influence nearly everything
else we as humans produce. It will advance how we live, work, learn, and play.
Humans spend over 90% of their lives indoors10. However, I learned from my time
studying the built environment to challenge myself to think outside the building, and
reevaluate my opinion on what is indoors. I now view the built environment not as a
separate dimension from the outside, but simply as the space which humans occupy
within nature.
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I spent my last collegiate summer interning with the Orlando division of TLC
Engineering for Architecture. This proved to be the pinnacle of my course in
sustainability thus far. I was instilled not only with professional experience necessary
to catapult me into a career, but I also learned a great deal about how we construct
places and how we can improve them. The best way I thought of giving back to the
organization was to center my senior capstone around certifying the space on a
standard that is founded on the health of its occupants, the WELL Building Standard.
Certifying their major renovations under the latest version of WELL would ensure the
offices remain clean, naturalistic spaces for the employees who I have grown to know
and care for over the summer.
This paper explains why WELL and other green building certifications are guides
to constructing sustainable spaces for humans in the future. It also covers why
earning building certifications is a smart long-term economic solution, and how years
of research prove occupant health should be a design priority. Finally, I define the
clear steps I took to help TLC earn their WELL v.2 certification in 2019 so other
projects may follow.
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GREEN BUILDING
History tells us the pursuit of comfort, security, and convenience drives all
technological progress. These goals combined with cultural creativity, complexity,
and architecture results in the towering cityscapes seen around the world. Although
beautiful, the industrialism and development of this sector is responsible for nearly
half of the world’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions1.
As stated previously, humans have a historical record of overcoming problems
with scientific ingenuity. Our current democratic structure does present its own
unique obstacles for progress, however, slowly we manage to create policy that
guides construction towards green practices. The IECC 2012, Florida Energy Code,
and ASHRAE 90.1 clearly define requirements in shaping a building’s overall
45%21%
34%
Fig. 1 U.S. CO2e by Sector
Buildings Industry Transportation
42%
6%
16%
12%
24%
Fig. 2 U.S. Energy Consumption by Sector
Building Operations
Building Construction and Materials
Transportation-Light Duty (auto SUV, pickup, minivan)
Transportation-Other (rail, bus, truck, ship)
Industry
Figure 1 (Above): Information provided by U.S. Energy Administration
Figure 2 (Right): Information provided by U.S. Energy Administration
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performance, including envelope focus, orientation design, energy modeling, and
water efficiency2,3,4. Regulations such as these translate to energy savings, providing
owners direct economic benefits. Additionally, restrictions ensure environmental
welfare by lowering overall greenhouse gases. This incredible advancement can be
credited to the tenacity of officials who see the potential profit gains to be had by
building green.
The energy savings I’ve described manifest quickly after green practices are
implemented. Immediate rewards are highly sought after, which is likely why these
policies were the first to be passed in legislation. However, the quintessential essence
of sustainability is the future; the only reason we protect the environment is for the
generations of tomorrow. Therefore, long-term thinking is essential when
approaching any new project in today’s world. Instant gratification can be dangerous
because it distracts from true payoff that can occur with more initial investment of
time, money, and brainpower. The future of architecture is not merely “smart-
buildings” that talk, although this is an exciting taste of prospective living. The destiny
for the design of buildings lies in the architect’s change of perspective away from
budgetary savings and fanciful-tech, and towards the occupant and environment
which the structure serves.
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EMPATHIC DESIGN
Buildings are constructed for an infinite variety of purposes— education,
employment, communication, dining, gaming, just to name a few. But what if
buildings were not built for functions, but rather for the betterment of its occupants?
Imagine a school designed to increase children’s ability to learn, or a business meant
to foster office workers’ productivity. Rather than creating a conference room simply
because employees need a place to conduct meetings, why not arrange a flexible
space that inspires brainstorming, improves cognitive function, and provides
comfort?
The method of designing from the point of view of the user is called empathic
design. It is most often used in product or service development, but certainly has
advantages in architecture as well. Buildings that incorporate subtle design elements
to meet the needs of its occupants are enjoyed by diverse audiences, and soar above
any conventional structure built just to the owner’s project requirements.
Few buildings are designed with occupant’s welfare in mind. When architects
divert attention to reducing costs, they miss the larger picture of why buildings are
constructed in the first place—comfort and security of occupants. There has been vast
research proving enhanced environmental quality increases occupant satisfaction
and productivity, reducing turnover and absenteeism6. A study conducted in London
found 85% of the total corporate operation costs are personnel costs7.
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Aside from mandatory regional building standards, voluntary certification
systems, such as the popular USGBC LEED® Rating System, guide empathic and green
design practices. The latest version of LEED® includes specific goals aimed at
sustainable construction and operation. Their point system includes features that
reverse contribution to global climate change, protect water resources and ecosystem
services, and build a greener economy5. The rating system also aims to protect human
health and well-being by including the credit category “Indoor Environmental
Quality”. Credits include thermal comfort, indoor air quality, acoustic performance,
daylighting, and natural views. Project managers (PMs) that follow LEED® guidelines
can
be sure that they will meet their occupants’ needs. However, Indoor Environmental
Quality is only one category of LEED® and the majority of points in the entire rating
system are weighted in favor of energy credits, rather than ones surrounding
occupant comfort. If a PM’s primary goal is the occupant, WELL Building Standard™
is the rating system to follow.
WELL BUILDING STANDARD™
The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI) delivers the WELL
Building Standard™, an alternate voluntary certification system aimed to enhance
building practices for inhabitants. It is the first of its kind that focuses solely on the
health and wellness of its occupants8. Similar to the LEED® Rating System, WELL™ is
based on a point system utilizing performance metrics, green strategies, and building
policies to be assessed by a Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) representative
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upon completion of all requirements. Where LEED® maintains a strong focus on
energy, water, and refrigerant use, WELL® measures performance based on a
building’s encouragement of healthy, active lifestyles and reduction of exposure to
harmful chemicals and pollutants. The system is founded on rigorous 7 years of
scientific and technical research8. WELL Building Standard® ventured to create a
baseline of practices to ensure and benchmark wellness in the built environment.
The first version of the system,
launched in 2014, included seven
categories of wellness called Concepts; air,
water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort,
and mind. Credits fall into either
preconditions, which are mandatory for
certification, or optimizations, which total
to the projects’ certification level—silver,
gold, or platinum—and projects are
encouraged to strive for as many
optimizations as possible. The premiere
version also creatively pairs a single or
several bodily systems—cardiovascular,
digestive, endocrine, immune, integumentary, muscular, nervous, reproductive,
respiratory, skeletal, and urinary— to each credit (Fig. 3). This clearly demonstrates
how the credits improve and ensure the health of occupants. For example, the rating
Figure 3: An example from WELL v1’s bodily
connections to their precondition for smoking ban. The
only way to protect people from secondhand and
thirdhand smoke is to implement a 100% smoke-free
environment9.
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system includes credits aimed to limit the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs) and particulate matter in the ambient air to prevent damage to lungs, heart,
and blood vessels (respiratory and cardiovascular) 8. This is a prime example of
empathic architectural design.
WELL Building Standard™ offers variable rating systems within the program
to cater to different building types, called pilot standards. These include multifamily
residential, educational facilities, retail, restaurant, commercial kitchens, exercise
facilities, public assembly, and healthcare. Surprisingly, office spaces and
transportation hubs were absent from the list of pilot standards. While WELL v1 is
incredibly robust, but there were certainly improvements to be made, which is why
the IWBI released WELL v2™ in June of 2018 (just in time for this project).
WELL v2™
Four years after its premiere standard in 2014, IWBI introduced their second
version of WELL™. They maintain their “holistic view of health… as not only a state of
being free of disease - which is indeed a fundamental component of health - but also
of the enjoyment of productive lives from which we derive happiness and
satisfaction”9. We spend nearly all of our lives indoors, so it is crucial these spaces not
only serve their function, but excel in health, happiness, and wellness. IWBI wanted
to make this goal possible for anyone who realized the need for healthy spaces, so
they produced a tool for the global community, while remaining true to local health
concerns and cultural norms9. WELL v2™ is founded on six principles; equity,
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globalization, evidence-structured, technical robustness, customer focus, and
resiliency9. These fundamental ethics make up the skeleton of WELL v2; each
precondition and optimization was written with these in mind.
IWBI prioritized ease and accessibility in WELLv2™ to pander to their users.
All previous iterations of pilot standards were joined into one WELL for all project
types9. How is it possible the entire standard remains relevant to every project?
WELLv2™ is dynamic and customizable. It takes advantage of the modernity and
capabilities of the internet, instituting a platform called WELL Online (Fig. 4) which
develops a unique scorecard for every proposal with applicable optimizations that
can be replaced and refined based on the team’s needs. Upon initial registration,
Figure 4: Screen cap of WELL Online. Highlights from top to bottom: From the user’s dashboard is the custom scorecard. The left
tool bar indicates the category and conveniently shows the total points possible and the preconditions and optimizations within
that category. The customize menu bar allows the user to further select optimizations to cater to their project.
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projects may choose to either select their own credits or have the system generate
them automatically. Later, a convenient “customize” menu (Fig. 4) appears on the
bottom of the scorecard to further cater the credits to the project. Preconditions are
consistently mandatory to all projects to preserve the rigor of the system.
The quantity of concepts grew from seven to ten in WELLv2™. They include air
water, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.
The point-based operation remained the same, with weightings relating to each
feature’s intent and impact. Projects must meet all preconditions and earn
optimization points totaling 50, 60, or 80 points to earn silver, gold, or platinum
certification, respectively. There is a separate pathway for core and shell buildings—
at least 2.5% of the floor area just be available for testing and projects may earn 40
points for the base level core certification. All projects may utilize WELL Online for
reference and questions regarding compliance.
WELL Online is a free tool for projects, which is extremely helpful for
conducting preliminary gap analyses. Registration of a WELL v2™ project costs
$1,800, the program and support cost $0.192/sq. ft., and onsite performance testing
and data collection by the GBCI is $8,750. The cost of performance verification may
alternate because this version allows for projects to elect to contract with local
qualified agents for a lower price. For TLC Orlando’s renovation, the total cost of
WELL v2™ will allot to approximately $18,000 and may change if they choose a local
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performance assessor. Although this may seem a steep price, the subsequent section
will demonstrate how the benefits of building well greatly outweigh the costs.
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COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF GREEN BUILDING
Budget is an obstacle in every sector; design, construction, and planning are
not exempt. Cost often blinds architects from considering the finished product. Nearly
all decisions come down to dollars and cents. This is a shame because most green
implements require greater initial investment, even though they arguably last longer,
are more durable, and offer long-term savings. Sustainability at its core is economic.
There are many interpretations of sustainability, but through my time
studying the field in university, I define it as the quality of being socially and
environmentally favorable for present and future generations. The triple bottom line
is a popular variation of sustainability which includes profitability, however an
important distinction must be made. Decisions conformed for budgetary purposes
against what is best for society and the environment is not sustainable. Most
businesses operate with a laser focus on profit gains and hope for the best outcome
ecologically and culturally. LEED® is an example of an environmentally concentrated
product with society and economy as subservient. This paper attempts to explain
how focusing on the social branch of sustainability translates to enormous
environmental and long-term economic benefits. To evaluate the costs and benefits
of building sustainably with occupant’s health in perspective, I present research from
each of WELLv2’s ten concepts to organize the main objectives of building
sustainably. This will further clarify why WELL provides socially and economically
sound guidelines for designers.
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AIR
90% of our time is spent in enclosed quarters10, and during this time, we take an
average of 18,144 breaths11. Each breath could be tainted with indoor air pollutants
that increase your risk for an array of health problems (Table 1), especially in a poorly
ventilated space.
There is growing evidence supporting the relationship between indoor air quality
(IAQ) and occupant health and well-being. Poor IAQ may lead to short and long-term
health detriments. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms can occur immediately
following exposure to indoor pollutants, including fatigue, aches and pains, sensitivity
to odors, and difficulty concentrating12. Presence of pollen, mold, dust, lint, and
animal dander can aggravate allergies and asthma13. After continual exposure, more
Table 1: Common indoor air pollutants, their sources, and health impacts. Information provided from United States EPA11.
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serious and permanent effects or risks can take form. Those who work daily in
polluted environments can expect higher risks of respiratory and cardiovascular
diseases, myocardial ischemia, angina, high blood pressure, and heart disease14. A
study in London found household air pollution was ranked as third most important
cause of ill health for the world’s population15.
Fine particulate matter (PM)
poses huge risks to human health.
PM has a diverse composition of
solid, liquid, and chemical
particles. The smallest particles
have higher acidity and penetrate
lungs and airways deeper16. The
most dangerous PM has an
aerodynamic diameter of 2.5μm, known by its shorthand as PM2.5, and it is not
uncommon to find higher concentrations of PM2.5 indoors than outdoors16. Exposure
to PM has been attributed to countless health effects including “increased hospital
admissions, emergency room visits, respiratory symptoms, exacerbation of chronic
respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, decreased lung function, premature
mortality… low birth weight in infants, pre-term deliveries, and fetal and infant
deaths”16, 18. PM2.5 inhalation can cause mild problems including shortness of breath,
chest discomfort, coughing, and wheezing16. Another study found a strong, consistent
correlation between adult diabetes and particulate matter air pollution that persists
Figure 5: Size comparison of nanomaterials to airborne particulate matter
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even after adjustment for other risk factors like obesity and ethnicity17. It is no
wonder why regulators are recognizing PM as a threat to health and are beginning to
enforce policy that limits its presence.
The construction of buildings is another source of indoor air pollution. Several
green building certification systems, including LEED®, WELL™, and Green Globes©
all have credit requirements specifying construction indoor air quality measures (Fig.
6). Irritants like dust, fumes, and exhausts must be regulated when conducting a
renovation on a space to avoid exposure to occupants. Several studies concluded that
construction workers who were exposed to dusts, fumes, and gases in their
occupation had a much higher risk of mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), even after adjusting for other factors such as age and smoking
Figure 6: Example of guarded ductwork to ensure IAQ is protected during construction
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habits19, 20. This defines the importance of protecting occupants from breathing in
these pollutants.
Tobacco smoke is another significant area of IAQ worth mentioning. It is no secret
that both first and second hand smoke have serious health effects, including cancer,
lung and liver failure, and even death. In 1993 the annual direct medical care cost
from smoking alone was $50 billion22. A study found that absenteeism was
significantly higher in former and never smokers than current
smokers21.Organizations with strict no-smoking policies take a stand against the
decrease in productivity that are associated with smoking21.
WELLv2’s air category guides projects towards enhanced IAQ. Among their
preconditions (mandatory credits) is assurance of fundamental levels of air quality
thresholds for PM, gases, and radon. The program also mandates on-going monitoring
of air parameters, smoke-free conditions, effective ventilation (meeting ASHRAE
62.1-201023 or better), and mitigation of construction pollution. Aside from their
required policies, WELLv2™ encourages projects to exceed their basic standards and
enhance ventilation and filtration, design operable windows, and control other
indoor pollutants.
By following the guidelines of WELLv2™ for air quality, organizations can expect
their full-time employees are healthier, more productive, and more comfortable. A
Denmark study comparing air quality and performance confirmed productivity
significantly improved with increased ventilation rates (Fig. 7)24. Another report
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found cognitive scores were 61%-101% higher under enhanced indoor
environmental standards compared to conventional buildings25. Visitors of a WELLv2
certified space breathe in lighter and cleaner air and thus enjoy their time within the
space. Monetary benefits are difficult to calculate, however the preceding section
attempted to explain the evidence which supports the concept that enhanced IAQ can
directly benefit the occupants and owners of a space.
Figure 7 Left: Performance of text typing, addition, and proof reading as a function of the air quality (% dissatisfied with the air quality)
Right: Performance of text typing, addition, and proof-reading as a function of the ventilation rate (outdoor air supply rate)
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WATER
Water is the source of life, cleanliness, and conflict. Humans are comprised of
nearly two-thirds water26, 9; it regulates our body temperature, digests our food, and
removes toxins from the body26. Sadly, billions of people do not have access to clean
water38. There are also those lucky enough to have access to clean water but lack
proper hydration and nourishment. This is widely because of the rise of obesity,
which is associated with lower levels of hydration27, 9. Many Americans turn their
attention away from water and to the cold, refreshing taste of sugary beverages which
only dehydrates them more28. Aside from drinking, humans also require water to
clean; their bodies, hands, and homes. Nearly three billion people lack access to
proper sanitation systems38. Diseases are more easily and frequently transmitted
without proper hygiene 30, 31, 32. It is estimated that handwashing with soap could save
a million lives a year29. There are even diseases that originate from the presence of
dirty, unfiltered water, like Legionnaires’ disease. Without monitoring, stagnant,
warm water can allow waterborne pathogens to flourish in building water systems32.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188 was approved in 2015 meant to help design teams
install control measures to avoid hazardous conditions within the buildings’
plumbing32.
There are other concerns surrounding the topic of water. Plastic water bottles are
a growing problem. The amount of plastic bottles in the world degrading on beaches,
in oceans, and in landfills is unknowable, but it is estimated that globally, humans buy
a million plastic bottles per minute33. Reusable bottles may combat this, but only if
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they are remembered. University of Florida has partnered with
a program called Cupanion©, which offers rewards for refilling
a reusable bottle via an app on the user’s phone. The company
uses the revenue generated from the app to give clean water to
those in need39, 40.
The bathroom is another place that should be highlighted in
the topic of hydro-sustainability-crises. Toilet flushing is not
regulated in regards to gallons of water used per flush. A
building with several restrooms that use heavy flushing (3.5 gallons per flush) with
only three full time employees can waste about 12,000 gallons over a year38. The EPA
has introduced a WaterSense label for products which use a sustainable amount of
water per flush, and under the same conditions as the previous scenario, a
WaterSense product will use only 4,000 gallons per year— a 66% decrease38. After
flushing, hopefully users wash and dry their hands; and, they will likely use two or
three paper towels each time. Paper towel usage is difficult to measure, but it is
estimated that 13 billion tons of paper towel waste is sent to the landfills each year34.
The alternate to paper towels is the hot-air dryer or the jet-air dryer, but, there is a
catch— paper towels have been found to greatly surpass hand-dryers in bacteria
decontamination35. In fact, while paper towels decrease the number of all bacteria on
the hands, hot air dryers increased all types of bacteria on the hands35. WELLv2™
mandates paper towels are available in bathrooms in accordance with these findings,
however it is worth noting the sustainable debate around the topic.
Figure 8: Sustainable UF's label for the
Cupanion© program, which users scan each
time they fill to earn rewards and encourage
ecological practices
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Building owners that design following WELLv2 guidelines may help to encourage
occupants to stay hydrated, healthy, and clean by providing tested safe drinking
water, adequate restroom amenities, and promoting awareness of water quality and
management. Although difficult to calculate, there are monetary benefits to the
WELLv2™ policy. An office with deep sinks and warm running water may increase
hand washing in contrast to cold water (this is not a research-supported hypothesis,
just an amateur observation) and thus may see a decrease the number of sick days29,
30, 42. Anticipating occupant needs in design will result in the best performance.
Advancing technology and policies, like WELLv2™, will shape the future of business—
our human dependence on water, however, will never change.
NOURISHMENT
Few will disagree that diet plays a key role in health, however there is
controversy on what constitutes a “healthy diet”. Is it smaller portion sizes, zero
trans-fat, or fewer animal products and preservatives? Is it a combination? Nutrition
is a multi-dimensional concept. One thing that is certain, the obesity epidemic has a
wide ranging economic burden on society. According to Y Claire Wang et al., the
treatment costs of obesity-related preventable diseases are expected to increase by
$48-66 billion/year by 203043. Studies consistently find strong correlations between
obesity and higher rates of absenteeism; in fact, it is the number one ranking category
of productivity losses to date44 (Table 2). Another study found a nonlinear
relationship between obesity and productivity, where the extremely obese subjects
(BMI≥35) experienced significantly more adverse productivity limitations than
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mildly obese and overweight subjects (BMI 25-34.9)45. This information may
encourage organizations to implement strategies for reducing obesity, even if it’s to
modestly reduce the number of extremely obese workers.
This paper is not meant to deeply analyze the many dimensions of the obesity
crisis, but in order to make concrete suggestions for TLC to enhance their employee’s
health though design and policy, it is important to examine the recent research on the
Table 2: Economic impact of obesity, table from Hammond and Levine, 2010 44
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topic of nutrition. This includes the facets of a healthy diet, physical activity, and
environmental influences.
Reasonable portion sizes of energy-dense foods and adequate intake of fruits
and vegetables are the cornerstones of a healthy diet46, 47, 48. Higher plant-based
consumption is associated with lower risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood
pressure, diabetes, and some cancers 48, 49, 51, 51, 52, 53. Reducing the consumption of
calorie-dense foods can moderate weight, thus lowering risk for obesity-related
illnesses 47, 54. Organizational health strategies should focus on increasing fruit and
vegetable intake by and shrinking the portions of unhealthy options, like pastas,
cheesy breads, and sugary beverages. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are often
shown to be contributing to the obesity epidemic, as they are the single largest source
of added sugar and top source of energy intake in the U.S. diet55. A simple switch from
these dangerous SSBs to a less sweetened tea (or even better, water) would greatly
control weight and prevent a number of metabolic diseases55. WELLv2™ understands
these key facets of a healthy diet, and includes this research in their policy. They also
understand the importance the environment has on an occupant’s consumption
decisions. The availability of fresh fruits and salads can greatly improve the lifestyle
choices of individuals56, 57. A study conducted on low-wage employees found
improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption, purchasing habits, and self-
efficacy after providing workplace availability of fresh fruit58. The same
environmental strategy is enforced in WELLv2™ in regards to portion sizes, SSBs, and
physical activity. There are preconditions specifying plate sizes, nutritional
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advertising and labelling, fruit and vegetable availability, and even encouraging use
of stairs 9.
Companies should encourage healthy eating practices, not only to ensure
employees have adequate nutrition, but because the benefits of doing so far outweigh
the cost.
LIGHT
Light is a primary driver of human activity. We are diurnal, which means we are
programmed to be awake in the day time and asleep in the night. Daylight stimulates
hormonal and physiological functions which animals and humans are subject to,
called the circadian rhythm59, 9. Continuing the narrative of occupant-centered design,
it is crucial for architects to synchronize lighting systems (both electric and natural)
with the circadian system. There are several studies that confirm disruption or
desynchronization of the circadian rhythm has been linked with obesity, diabetes,
depression, and metabolic disorders 9, 60-65. Inappropriate lighting design unaligned
with natural rhythms can worsen sleep and mood66. Boubekri et al.67 showed that
office workers sitting close to windows (receiving higher amounts of light during the
day than their colleagues in windowless offices), exhibited more activity overall and
slept, on average, about 46 minutes longer at night66. Lighting can have significant
effects on an occupant’s health and wellness.
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Figure 9 shows the MetLife St. Louis office which was updated by GE Lighting
experts. They performed an upgrade on their 650,000 square-foot administrative
facility and made lighting improvements in both the outdoor parking lot and the office
interior. Aside from improved visibility, the implementations made by GE resulted in
3.5 million fewer kWh and annual savings of $360,000 68. This proves that
technological innovations can have great occupational benefits such as improved
productivity and quality of life, but also can have ecological and monetary gains as
well.
WELLv2™ has credits encouraging daylight access and outdoor views. The
policy also promotes lighting design optimal for circadian rhythm and occupant
needs. Light is a significant feature of an office, thus TLC should model their
renovation according to guidelines which not only meet the needs of their employees,
but also ensure their well-being.
Figure 9 An example of an office lighting update from yellow, fluorescent T12 to a whiter, brighter T8 LED lighting. The office also
lowered the cubicle height so occupants receive more daylight, and changed the cubicle color so they’re more reflective 69.
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MOVEMENT
A majority of the developed world’s occupations do not require any vigorous
activity. Most jobs, particularly office jobs, are spent sitting at a desk slumped in front
of a computer for eight hours of the day. Physical inactivity (the quality of being
inactive according to the World Health Organization) is causing major concern in the
medical field. Obesity and its relative chronic diseases are not only attributed to
malnourishment, but also being sedentary69. Even worse, workers sitting before a
screen all day often do not have furniture catered to their comfort. Inadequate design
of offices has contributed to an increase to an array of health problems such as carpel
tunnel syndrome, cumulative trauma disorders, and repetitive strain injuries to over
200,000 Americans70. There is no reason workplace design cannot be improved to
offer relief from these ailments as well as promote physical activity.
Although this paper consistently refers to WELLv2™ as the primary guidelines for
organizational design wellness, it is worth mentioning in this section another building
certification system called Fitwel©. Fitwel© is has many bridges to WELLv2™ as it is
also aimed at occupant health and well-being, without being as rigorous and
technical. Categories include location, building access, outdoor spaces, entrances and
ground floor, stairwells, indoor environment, tenant and shared spaces, and water
supply. The reason Fitwel© is mentioned in this section of the paper (Movement) is
because nearly all the categories are aimed at the movement and activity of the
individual. WELLv2’s credits in their Movement concept nearly matches those of
Fitwel©. Both encourage organization’s to provide physical activity spaces,
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equipment, and opportunities, promote usage of stairwells, locate buildings near
quality transit stations, and allow users to store bicycles under cover. WELLv2™ goes
further by including preconditions and optimizations aimed at ergonomic education
and design. Ergonomics training has proven to be even more important than the
actual design of chairs and desks because users become aware of posture and change
their behavior accordingly71. Figure 10 shows how many times symptoms of strain
and discomfort common to computerized environments occurred amongst minimally
trained and ergonomically trained individuals71. Untrained workers experienced far
more pain than even minimally trained individuals. Clearly ergonomics is a significant
topic for occupant wellness and is necessary to include in design guidelines.
WELLv2™ remains the
primary certification
system for organizations
who wish to better the
quality of life for their
employees via enhanced
architecture and policy.
Figure 10: Total number of reported pain ratings (higher than no
pain/discomfort) across the entire study between trained and untrained groups
(Robertson et al., 2013) 71
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THERMAL COMFORT
Protection from extreme heat and cold was a significant reason we began
building structures. The invention of air conditioning made it possible for humans to
even inhabit places like Florida, where summer temperatures can easily break 100°F.
As discussed much in this paper, comfort is related to health, well-being, and
productivity—thermal comfort is no different. Temperature is ranked as one of the
highest contributing factors influencing overall human satisfaction and is closely tied
with priductivity9, 72, 73. Think about how distractingly uncomfortable it is to work in
an office that is far too hot or cold. Multiple studies showed an average of 2%
decrement in work performance per °C at 25°C (77°F) (Fig. 11). Another study
conservatively estimated that improving the thermal environment in US office
buildings would result in a direct increase in productivity of 0.5-5%, worth $12 billion
to $125 billion annually76.
Figure 11: Summary of literature review by Seppanen et al., 2004 indicating room temperature as an effect on productivity74
BOWERS | 30
The largest problem with thermal indoor environments is that it is shared
amongst all who inhabit the space, yet comfortability is subjective. Therefore, a
comfortable thermal range is difficult to achieve due to varying individual
preferences 9. There are solutions to this, like thermal zoning and use of variable
refrigerant flow (VRF) units (Figure 12). Utilizing this technology not only succeeds
in higher occupant satisfaction, but also has outstanding energy saving benefits. VRF
zoning even contributes to LEED certification77. Its energy efficiency is attributed to
its unique relay of refrigerant. Unlike conventional HVAC systems which move chilled
or heated air through long tubes of ductwork, VRF systems vary refrigerant flow
(hence the name) between indoor and outdoor units within each zone; this avoids a
potential energy loss of at least 30% 77. Some extremely intelligent systems save data
Figure 12: Office layout plan of thermal zoning using VRF units77.
BOWERS | PAGE 31
of the different zones’ preferred temperature resulting in additional savings over
time77. This is a perfect example of an advanced technological equipment with all
three facets of sustainability incorporated.
ASHRAE Standard 55 mandates thermal comfort strategies to ensure highest
occupant satisfaction. In Florida where humidity and temperatures rise well above
comfort levels, architectural
and mechanical design of air
flow is upmost importance.
When drawings are
confined to strict protocols,
such as ASHRAE Standard
55, occupants can expect to
be comfortable. The CBE
Berkeley Thermal Comfort
Tool shown in Figure 13 is extremely helpful in guiding mechanical design78. Users
may input the average level of occupant clothing, the metabolic rate (activity level),
the relative humidity, and air speed. Then the tool shows if the input complies with
ASHRAE Standard 55.
WELLv2™ includes thermal zoning and ASHRAE Standard 55 in their thermal
comfort concept area. Thus, owners who follow their guidelines can expect that their
BOWERS | 32
building is not only more efficient, but their occupants are satisfied with their thermal
environment.
SOUND
If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
Well, the word “sound” itself is generally defined as the human response to
mechanical vibrations through a medium such as air9. Sound is, then, human-centric
and reliant. Hearing is an underrated sense but is extremely important to health and
well-being79. A neurobehavioral study on office workers found in open office setting,
occupants were easily influenced by noises such as background noise, closing doors,
and human activity80.
A balanced and efficient space designed empathically pays close attention to the
noises occupants will hear while performing their activities. Are they close enough to
the bathroom or mechanical room to hear toilet flushing or AC equipment? Are the
walls thick enough to hold private conversations and conference meetings? WELLv2™
considered these questions when curating their sound concept, and included credits
which limit background noise levels, ensure adequate speech privacy, and suppress
sound from HVAC equipment or restrooms. Spaces compliant with these protocols
eliminate distractions and encourage occupants to remain productive and happy
BOWERS | PAGE 33
MATERIALS
This paper has explained how closely related productivity, health, and air quality
are. However, we have yet to cover how indoor materials influence air quality. When
present, occupants can breathe in chemicals such as volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), pesticides, and dangerous cleaning products. This can not only hinder
productivity but can also have short and long-term health affects ranging from SBS
symptoms to cancer81. To understand the methods to avoiding these chemicals, it is
important to know what they are and their proven effects.
There is a long list of common VOCs, each with complicated chemical names that
really do not give any indication of its composition or effects on human health. The
important aspect of VOCs is that they are most often found in building materials such
as carpets, wall plasters, paints, and adhesives. It is no surprise, then, that personal
exposure to VOCs is made dominantly indoors than outdoors82. Key symptoms
identified by the EPA associated with exposure to VOCs include respiratory irritation,
headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous
system, and even cancer83. Additionally, performance is greatly influenced by the
presence of VOCs26, 85. A study in Sweden used a carpet with VOCs as the experiment
condition and found subjects typed 6.5% more slowly and reported more headaches
when the carpet was present (hidden behind a partition as to not influence test
subjects)85.
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Luckily, progressive material manufacturers are beginning to follow what is called
The Red List from The Living Future (creator of Living Building Challenge, another
rigorous green building certification system) 84. The Red List specifically names
harmful chemicals which pollute the environment and are toxic to human health and
also provides scientific evidence to support the claims84. WELLv2™ limits and
eliminates many of the chemicals found on the list and also added guidelines for
proper waste management to reduce exposure to hazardous garbage and pollution.
Further, it encourages green-cleaning protocols and integrated pest management
strategies to limit pesticide and harmful cleaning ingredient risk. These
implementations combined can greatly reduce occupant’s risk of indoor pollutant
exposure.
MIND AND COMMUNITY
Mental health and community support go together. Although genetics has a
primary role in determining someone’s mental health, psychological well-being of an
individual is directly related to the strength in services offered to him/her in their
environment86. Someone may have a substance addiction, but through rehabilitation
and strong social ties, that person may overcome their condition. Mental illness is
strongly associated with impairment in work performance and safety87, and even has
been shown to amount to $840 million in productivity losses in 2015 alone 88.
However, workplace implementations such as meditation programs and work breaks
can help increase positive mood and vigor, levels of task performance, and even
proactive behaviors such as helping others and creativity89. Increasing organizational
BOWERS | PAGE 35
health and wellness awareness is also important. According to a report “Low Health
Literacy: Implications for National Health Policy”, low health literacy costs the U.S.
between $106 billion to $238 billion annually90. Education on mental and physical
health and wellness topics in the workplace can directly combat this.
WELLv2™ includes credits that cover these issues mentioned, requiring
commitment to mental health promotion and literacy, employee access to nature, as
well as administration of occupant surveys to receive feedback regarding their health
and well-being to improve upon. Optimizations include focus, stress, sleep, and new
parent support, substance abuse education and services, and promotion of civic
engagement. There is also an optimization for organizational transparency, which
promotes disclosure of equitable and inclusive business practices through programs
like JUST. Certification (which TLC has already earned). Employees that work for a
company that is WELLv2™ certified know that they have the benefit of working in an
organization that operates on behalf of them and does all they can to ensure their
health and well-being.
COST-BENEFIT CONCLUSION
This cost-benefit analysis has touched on every facet of a building that influences the
health and well-being of occupants, including the physical and non-tangible aspects.
From enhanced indoor air quality, to corporate support of individual mentality and
communities, owners have the ability to make intentional design decisions so their
buildings serve on behalf of their occupants. The green building movement is a
BOWERS | 36
revolution of the way we build places we live, work, and play. Buildings consume
nearly 40% of all energy produced globally1, but certified green buildings can capture
energy savings and reduce emissions, while also having major health co-benefits, as
this paper has shown91. Technology has always been the tools of humankind meant
to make our lives healthier, easier, and happier. By focusing on the occupant’s needs,
buildings may start keeping us and our planet more viable. Green buildings are the
future of architecture, and certification systems like WELLv2™ act as leading
technologies helping to guide the process of transition.
BOWERS | PAGE 37
TLC ENGINEERING FOR ARCHITECTURE AND WELLv2 | FINAL SUMMARY
I had the opportunity to intern with TLC Engineering for Architecture
alongside their sustainability team. To describe why I completed this project on
behalf of the organization, I offer a summary of TLC history.
TLC Engineering for Architecture began when John Tilden and Earl J Wolpert
joined a partnership named Wolpert Tilden & Associates. Ed Lobnitz became
a draftsman after leaving the University of Florida, then shortly he originated
the co-op program at UF so he could work and finish his degree
simultaneously. He joined Wolpert Tilden & Associates, and it was not long
until they were serving nearly all the architects in central Florida. Ed Lobnitz
became CEO and formed a subsidiary company called CADSI, Computer Aided
Design Software Inc. (very similar to the modern 3D design software CAD). In
1981, a mechanical engineer, Travis Cooper, joined Lobnitz and Tilden and
renamed the company Tilden Lobnitz & Cooper (TLC). They started a
healthcare engineering consulting firm, Medical Facilities Consultants (MFC),
and continued this initiative after MFC disbanded. Fast forward to 2010 and
TLC has a new CEO, a new vision, and just made the AIA 2030 Commitment to
carbon neutral buildings by 2030. TLC also engineered the 1st LEED Certified
Building in Florida, Lynn Business Center. In 2018, TLC has grown to about
400 employees and have worked on a multitude of projects with a number of
disciplines offered. TLC earned their JUST Certification one year ago and has
helped certify 400 LEED projects. (92)
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TLC has traditionally adopted advancing technology and shown their
commitment to sustainability. After accomplishing over 400 LEED certified projects,
certifying their 39,000 square ft HQ office under the most rigorous, healthful, and
technical green building rating systems would be a huge step forward for the
company. It would not only tell potential clients that they have the capabilities to
perform such a challenging task, giving them a leg up in the volatile market of
sustainable architecture; but also would support their corporate mission, which is to
be a leader in creating sustainable environments as the trusted engineering advisor
to all stakeholders.
I think it is remarkable that I had the chance to work there, to advance both
my and their sustainable path, and to be able to bring the company full circle at UF
when one of the founders, Ed Lobnitz, began his engineering career there. TLC has
about 400 employees and covers anywhere from 65-100% of health costs. With this
in mind, investment in implementing the best design practice for enhanced healthy
work environments would benefit their own employees, save on health and energy
costs, and further their mission.
BOWERS | PAGE 39
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