Global architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman has earned WELL Platinum certification for its new Chicago studio, making it the first WELL Platinum-certified project in the state of Illinois and the fourth of its kind in the U.S. Awarded through the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL v2 pilot, the workplace earned this prestigious distinction with its health-focused design based on 10 categories of building performance.
Established in October 2014 and currently in its second iteration, the WELL program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council, the same organization behind the LEED certification program. Unlike LEED, which deals primarily on building performance, the WELL certification program focuses mainly on people by advancing health and wellness with criteria such as air quality and access to natural light.
Related: New International WELL Building Institute HQ achieves Platinum
In addition to achieving WELL Platinum certification, Perkins Eastman’s Chicago studio is located in the historic Rookery building that was recently awarded the WELL Health & Safety Rating, which was specifically created with post-pandemic workplaces in mind. Designed by the Chicago studio in collaboration with the Perkins Eastman workplace design team, the newly certified office meets WELL’s 10 categories of building performance: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community. The office includes features such as air quality sensors that measure carbon dioxide, TVOC, humidity, temperature and particulate matter levels; acoustic felt wall and ceiling treatments; and full sit/stand stations for flexible working options.
“WELL certification will be even more important for workspaces as restrictions lift following the COVID-19 crisis and people begin heading back to their offices,” said Jerry Walleck, AIA, managing principal of Perkins Eastman’s Chicago studio. “The care and attention that we paid to improving air quality, particularly in following the guidelines of the WELL Building Standard, helped us create an environment that is healthier and safer for our employees as they return to the office.”
Photography by Andrew Rugge via Perkins Eastman
