Seminar on the WELL Building Standard

Industry pundits forecast that the next trend in property will be wellness — the concept that the built environment can be a vehicle to support human health and wellbeing. Industry event ARBS 2016 has responded with a seminar panel discussion titled ‘Is wellness the next green?’.

The WELL Building Standard, established in the United States by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), uses evidence-based medical and scientific research to support its certification program. More than 2 million m² of space has gained WELL certification in 12 countries and a number of Australian interests are now lining up to register WELL projects — including Lendlease, Macquarie Group, DEXUS and Frasers Property.

Will the WELL Standard be the next Green Star or NABERS? How can WELL ratings help building owners and managers measure the health and wellbeing of building occupants? And will it become a new market differentiator that separates the leaders from the laggards?

Led by Romilly Madew from Green Building Council of Australia, Tony Armstrong from the IWBI and Mark McKenna, NDY group leader, sustainability – Norman Disney & Young, and moderated by Tony Arnel, global director sustainability, Norman Disney & Young and president, Energy Efficiency Council, the seminar will provide a nuts-and-bolts explanation of the WELL Building Standard and its focus areas. The discussion will explore opportunities and obstacles to its take-up in Australia, as well as why healthy buildings are becoming the ‘next big thing’.

ARBS 2016 will be held from 17–19 May at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.