Estate Living Magazine Precinct Living - Issue 33 | Page 49

bicycle desks and treadmill desks, and support for people
who use active transport, such as bicycle storage and showers.
Exercise equipment on site is also measured, specifically
age-appropriate, muscle-strengthening and cardiovascular
equipment.
Nourishment
Our dietary choices and patterns are influenced by increased
availability of healthy foods, reduced marketing of unhealthy
foods, and information about the content of foods. In the
nourishment theme, WELL considers factors such as the
variety and promotion of fresh fruit and vegetables, labelling of
allergens, hand-washing stations, minimising high-calorie and
processed foods, and signage at eating venues to indicate the
availability of healthy food options, including small salad-picking
planters that encourage occupants – residents or even office
workers – to regularly add fresh, healthy green leaves to their
meals.
Light
Mind
Mental and physical health are closely connected. For example,
exercise can be a healing aid for people with mental health
illnesses, and reducing stress can increase resilience to
physical illnesses. In the mind theme, WELL indicators include
incorporating beautiful and mindful design elements to improve
mood and morale, and providing dedicated private space for
contemplation and relaxation, as well as stimulus management
through creating different work or living zones, such as
designated quiet zones and collaboration zones.
Fitness
Physical activity is essential for mental and physical health,
and our increasingly sedentary lifestyles threaten our ability to
remain fit. Many buildings inherently include simple options for
activity, but they aren’t always attractive. For example, using the
stairs instead of the lifts brings short bursts of activity into our
working lives, but we aren’t likely to do this if stairways are badly
lit or dirty. Within the fitness theme, WELL looks at factors such
as whether stairways are accessible throughout the day, visible
from the entrance of the building, and incorporate
aesthetically pleasing elements. Some of the
other fitness indicators are whether there
are spaces for physical activity indoors
and outdoors, options for standing
desks and active desks such as
Within the light theme there is consideration of factors such
as whether lighting is adequate for work and focus, reduced
solar and workstation glare, and surface reflectivity. Light is the
most important cue for our circadian rhythms, which affect our
alertness, digestion and sleep. These functions, in turn, affect
morbidity such as diabetes, obesity, depression and heart
failure. The body needs periods of brightness and darkness to
maintain healthy circadian rhythms, as well as the right levels and
colours of light to provide cues about time of day.
Comfort
Within the comfort theme, WELL addresses acoustic comfort,
thermal comfort and ergonomic design. A number of options
can be implemented to address the reduced productivity,
concentration and performance that can be caused by excessive
noise. Buildings can include loud and quiet zones, limits can be
imposed on noise levels, and surfaces can meet certain noise
reflection criteria. Sound masking can also be used to decrease
distraction, and provide a certain degree of privacy.
WELL building practices contribute significantly to the health of
occupants, and this encourages them to stay longer. Although
it is more often marketed for use in office buildings, WELL is
applicable to all types of buildings – residential, commercial,
office, educational, and even health facilities – and can be
applied to new and existing buildings. It is administered by the
International WELL Building Institute. www.wellcertified.com
Rehana Dada
www.estate-living.co.za
| 47