Health Management

WELL Certification Looks at the “Health” of Buildings as Well

WELL certification, which focuses on the health (well-being) and comfort of users in evaluating buildings, is drawing interest.

Health ManagementWELL Certification Looks at the “Health” of Buildings as Well

WELL certification, which focuses on the health (well-being) and comfort of users in evaluating buildings, is drawing attention. In July 2018, Shimizu Corporation (China) Limited (“Shimizu China”), an overseas subsidiary of Shimizu, obtained WELL certification for its office building in Shanghai.

Workplaces that Focus on the Well-being of the People Who Work in Them

WELL certification is an international certification system that evaluates the design, construction, and operation of building spaces from the perspective of human well-being. Since the program was established in 2014, certifications have been registered more than 1000 projects in 41 countries around the world as of October 2018. It has also drawn attention in Japan in recent years.

Yumiko Takesako from the sales department in the International Division had this to say: “Workplaces that focus on the well-being of the people working in them are in demand, from the perspective of health management. That is because creating a building environment that meets the WELL Building Standard is expected to improve employee well-being, increase productivity, and also lead to the acquisition of excellent human resources."

The team members in charge of WELL certification. (From left) Jun Taniguchi, Investment and Development Division; Yumiko Takesako, head of the sales department in the International Division; Yanbei Chen, from Shimizu China, and Yu Tsubouchi and Hiromi Kido from LCV Headquarters
The team members in charge of WELL certification. (From left) Jun Taniguchi, Investment and Development Division; Yumiko Takesako, head of the sales department in the International Division; Yanbei Chen, from Shimizu China, and Yu Tsubouchi and Hiromi Kido from LCV Headquarters

Buildings are evaluated on around 100 different features in the seven concept categories of air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. A building and its interior environment is evaluated based on medical evidence and the process involves a physical inspection in addition to examining documentation. It is also possible to obtain certification for a tenant’s interior furnishings, apart from obtaining certification for the entire building, and Platinum, Gold, and Silver certification are awarded for each of these, depending on the rating level.

The Shanghai office of Shimizu China obtained silver certification under the Interior section of WELL Building Standard Version 1. We renovated entire one floor of the newly building with the relocation.

The Shanghai Office of Shimizu China, located on the 20th floor of Qiantan World Trade Centre (Phase I) in the Pudong district. One floor with 1,580 m<sup>2</sup> of floor space was renovated and Well certification was obtained.
The Shanghai Office of Shimizu China, located on the 20th floor of Qiantan World Trade Centre (Phase I) in the Pudong district. One floor with 1,580 m2 of floor space was renovated and Well certification was obtained.

Employee Satisfaction Improves in an Office with Clean Air and Water

The following renovations were performed in the Shanghai Office of Shimizu China to meet the WELL Building Standard. An automatic air exchanger and filter were installed to keep the CO2 and VOC (volatile organic compounds) in the air of the office interior within the PM2.5 and other concentration standards. The tap water was made potable by passing the water through a filtration membrane and purifier. Light intensity during the day was adjusted by installing solar sensors. Circadian lighting was introduced through a combination of natural and artificial light to regulate the sleep-wake cycle of occupants.

Meanwhile, steps were also taken on operating aspects in the four evaluation categories of fitness, nourishment, comfort, and mind by supporting sports after work, participation in marathons and other activities, providing education on healthy eating habits, and establishing a library corner with health-related information.

Yanbei Chen, who was in charge of the construction and also works in this office himself, commented, “We employed Shimizu’s technology and thought hard about how to meet the certification standard within the confines of one floor in the building. On the post-relocation survey, over 70% of employees said that their level of satisfaction with the office environment had improved.”

The conference room. The air is exchanged automatically when the CO<sub>2</sub> concentration exceeds 800 ppm.
The conference room. The air is exchanged automatically when the CO2 concentration exceeds 800 ppm.
A sound-insulated meeting room in the center of the office. A glass partition was used to allow external lighting in, creating a sense of spaciousness.
A sound-insulated meeting room in the center of the office. A glass partition was used to allow external lighting in, creating a sense of spaciousness.
Height-adjustable desks were also installed so that employees can also work while standing to increase comfort during long hours of desk work.
Height-adjustable desks were also installed so that employees can also work while standing to increase comfort during long hours of desk work.
We also actively support employee fitness. These are Shimizu China staff members who participated in the Shanghai International Marathon.
We also actively support employee fitness. These are Shimizu China staff members who participated in the Shanghai International Marathon.

Putting Our Experience in Obtaining Certification to Work in Customer Projects

Shimizu participates in the alliance program of DELOS Living, LLC, the company that established the WELL Building Standard. We are working on initiatives to increase recognition of the WELL Building Standard and increase the number of certification projects.

It was Yu Tsubouchi from LCV Headquarters who commented that “I would like to use our experience at Shimizu China to make obtaining certification a smoother process for customers. Especially because China is the next largest market for WELL certification next to the United States. I would like to use the Shanghai Office as a showroom that customers can actually look at, and will work to ensure the spread of WELL certification and increase the number of organizations that obtain it.”

Concluding the global corporate alliance with DELOS Living, LLC in April 2017 (The president of our company is on the left).
Concluding the global corporate alliance with DELOS Living, LLC in April 2017 (The president of our company is on the left).
YOKOHAMA GRANGATE, scheduled for completion in March 2020 (Blocks MM21-54 Project)
YOKOHAMA GRANGATE, scheduled for completion in March 2020 (Blocks MM21-54 Project)

Shimizu has not just obtained certification overseas, but in Japan as well. YOKOHAMA GRANGATE, a Shimizu investment development project, obtained Japan’s first Gold pre-certification as a tenant office building in April 2018. Jun Taniguchi from the Investment and Development Division, who was in charge of this project, stated enthusiastically, “I would like for Shimizu to lead the market as a pioneer so that obtaining WELL certification also becomes an incentive in leasing in Japan.”

It was Hiromi Kido from LCV Headquarters who mentioned that “We are currently consulting on multiple projects aimed at acquiring WELL certification for the buildings of customers as well.” More than 60 employees already possess the WELL AP (professional certification) that equips them with the specialized knowledge to provide that service. Such a high level of professional certification is rare in Japanese companies.

Pursuing Our Vision for Buildings and Well-Being with a Wealth of Technology

It is said that people spend 90% of their lives inside buildings. That means that building interiors have that much more impact on health. The need for rebuilding and renovation work to obtain WELL certification will likely increase in the future, in light of the social trends in promoting health management and expanding ESG investment.

Shimizu will continue to use its extensive range of applied technologies to propose and pursue a wide range of ways to create wellness in the future and we will work to add value to our customer’s facilities.

Seiwa Business Co., Ltd. head office (in Chuo-ku, Tokyo), which obtained pre-certification through Shimizu’s consulting services.
Seiwa Business Co., Ltd. head office (in Chuo-ku, Tokyo), which obtained pre-certification through Shimizu’s consulting services.

The information posted here is the current information on December 17, 2018.
Please be aware that this information may have changed by the time you view it.