Key concepts in wellness real estate & healthy buildings
Heidis Garden Shop with biophilic design - check the moss wall installation!
What is a healthy building concept?
Healthy buildings refer to a structure that is designed, constructed, and maintained with the well-being of its occupants in mind. It is a space that promotes the physical, mental, and emotional health of the people who live or work in it.
Such examples of wellness real estate are designed to provide clean and fresh air, access to natural light, and comfortable temperature and humidity levels.
They also prioritize the use of non-toxic materials and incorporate features that enhance indoor air quality, such as proper ventilation systems and air filtration.
Additionally, well buildings often incorporate elements that support physical activity and wellbeing, such as designated spaces for exercise or access to outdoor areas.
Overall, a health-oriented building is one that supports the health and well-being of its occupants through thoughtful design and maintenance practices.
International well building institute ("WELL")
The concept of a well building has gained significant attention in recent years as people have become more aware of the impact of their built environment on their health.
The International WELL Building Institute has developed the WELL Building Standard, which provides guidelines and certifications for buildings that prioritize occupant health and well-being.
This standard focuses on several key aspects, including air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. By following these guidelines, building owners and developers can create spaces that not only meet the needs of their occupants but also contribute to their overall health and well-being.
Typeform offices - an example of biophilic offices
What is 'salutogenesis'?
Salutogenesis is a concept that focuses on promoting health and well-being rather than solely focusing on the prevention and treatment of diseases. It emphasizes the factors that contribute to a person's overall health and their ability to adapt and cope with stressors.
In the context of the built environment, salutogenesis is closely related to the concept of healthy buildings or well buildings.
These elements of green buildings are believed to have a significant impact on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals.
By creating a conducive environment that supports health and wellness, healthy buildings aim to promote productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve overall satisfaction among occupants.
The concept of salutogenesis aligns with the principles of healthy buildings by recognizing the importance of creating spaces that contribute to the well-being of individuals.
It acknowledges that the built environment plays a crucial role in shaping our health outcomes and believes that by providing healthy and supportive environments, we can enhance people's ability to live a healthy lifestyle.
Salutogenesis emphasizes the proactive approach of promoting health rather than simply addressing disease, and this aligns with the goals of healthy buildings.
By incorporating salutogenic principles in the design and operation of buildings, we can create spaces that prioritize the health and well-being of its occupants.
What is Sick Building Syndrome ('SBS')?
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) refers to a condition in which occupants of a building experience a range of health issues that are believed to be caused by the building itself. This can include symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, and respiratory problems.
The term "sick building syndrome" was coined in the 1980s when an increasing number of people were reporting these symptoms in relation to their workplace or other indoor environments.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on creating healthy buildings that prioritize the well-being of occupants.
These healthy buildings are designed with features such as good ventilation, natural lighting, and low levels of pollutants to minimize the risk of sick building syndrome and promote a healthier indoor environment.
The concept of a "well building" has gained traction, emphasizing the importance of designing and maintaining buildings that support the physical and mental well-being of its occupants.
What is the Harvard Healthy Buildings Program led by Joseph Allen at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health?
The Harvard Healthy Buildings Program, led by Joseph Allen at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to improve the quality of indoor environments in buildings.
This program recognizes the significant impact that buildings have on our health and well-being, and seeks to create healthier spaces for occupants. By conducting research and providing evidence-based guidance, the program aims to transform the way buildings are designed, operated, and maintained.
Through the implementation of strategies such as improved ventilation, filtration, and lighting, the program aims to create healthier buildings that promote productivity, comfort, and overall well-being.
The Harvard Healthy Buildings Program is at the forefront of promoting healthy building practices and is making significant contributions to the field of public health.
What are the Foundations of a Healthy Building?
Inspired by the Joseph Allen model from the Harvard Healthy Buildings Program, here are a selection of foundations that contribute to creating a healthy building environment targeting enhancements to human health markers for the occupants.
These foundations include air quality, water quality, thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, materials, ergonomics, biophilia, and health amenities.
Indoor air quality
Firstly, ensuring good air quality is essential for a healthy building. This involves proper ventilation and air purification systems to remove pollutants and improve indoor air quality.
Water quality
Secondly, maintaining clean and safe water is crucial for the health of the occupants. Regular testing and treatment of water sources are necessary to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.
Thermal comfort
Thirdly, providing thermal comfort is vital in a healthy building. Proper insulation, temperature control, and access to natural light contribute to creating a comfortable environment for occupants.
Lighting
Fourthly, adequate lighting plays a significant role in promoting productivity and well-being. Natural light and proper artificial lighting should be incorporated into the design of the office building.
Acoustic performance
Moreover, addressing acoustic issues is important for a healthy building. Noise control measures should be implemented to reduce noise pollution and create a peaceful environment.
Healthy materials
Using sustainable and non-toxic materials in construction helps create a healthy indoor environment by minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals.
Ergonomic design & active design
Furthermore, ergonomic design principles should be applied to promote comfort and reduce physical strain. This includes adjustable furniture, proper desk heights, and ergonomic tools.
Biophilia design & nature
Incorporating biophilic design elements such as plants and natural materials can have positive effects on mental health and well-being.
Health facilities and wellness amenities
Lastly, providing health amenities such as fitness areas or wellness programs encourages occupants to prioritize their health and well-being.
wework coworking spaces go big on air purifying indoor plants
The role of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the overall conditions inside a building that can affect the health, comfort, and productivity of its occupants. It encompasses various factors including indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, lighting, noise levels, and ergonomics.
IEQ is a broader concept than IAQ as it takes into account all aspects of the indoor environment that can impact the well-being of individuals.
While IAQ specifically focuses on the quality of the air inside a building, IEQ considers a wider range of factors that contribute to a healthy building.
IAQ primarily looks at factors such as the presence of pollutants, ventilation rates, and humidity levels. On the other hand, IEQ includes not just air quality but also factors like temperature control, natural lighting, noise reduction measures, and ergonomic building design.
The distinction between IEQ and IAQ is important because it highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to creating healthy buildings. Simply addressing IAQ alone may not be sufficient to ensure a high-quality indoor environment.
A holistic approach to IEQ considers multiple factors and their interaction to create a comfortable and healthy space for occupants.
While indoor air quality is an important component of IEQ, it is not the only factor to consider. A holistic approach that addresses all aspects of indoor environment is necessary to create truly healthy buildings.
What are 'VOCs' and 'PM' in indoor air quality data?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and can be found in indoor air. They are emitted from a variety of sources, including building materials, furniture, cleaning products, and personal care products.
VOCs can have both short-term and long-term health effects. Short-term exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term exposure to low levels of VOCs has been linked to respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and even cancer.
Particulate Matter (PM) refers to tiny particles suspended in the air that can be inhaled into the lungs. These particles can come from various sources, such as combustion processes, smoking, and outdoor pollution that seeps indoors.
PM can be categorized into different size fractions, with smaller particles being more harmful as they can penetrate deep into the respiratory and nervous system more. Exposure to PM can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure to high levels of PM has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and premature death.
To maintain a healthy building environment, it is important to minimize the sources of VOCs and PM. This can be achieved by using low-emission building materials, choosing non-toxic cleaning and personal care products, and ensuring proper ventilation to reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants.
Regular maintenance and cleaning practices can also help in reducing the accumulation of dust and particulate matter. Implementing these measures can help create a healthier indoor environment for occupants and reduce the potential health risks associated with VOCs and PM.
What is the COGfx study into the benefits of healthy buildings on cognitive performance?
The COGfx research study is a groundbreaking initiative that investigates the impact of healthy buildings on occupants' cognitive function and productivity. Led by a team of researchers at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the relationship between indoor environmental quality and human performance.
By examining various aspects of the built environment, such as ventilation, lighting, and thermal conditions, the researchers seek to identify the factors that contribute to a healthy building. The ultimate goal of medical research is to develop evidence-based guidelines that can be used to design and maintain buildings that promote occupant health and well-being.
The COGfx research study takes a comprehensive approach to understanding the effects of healthy buildings on cognitive function. It involves conducting controlled experiments in office spaces where participants are exposed to different environmental conditions.
These conditions are carefully manipulated to simulate various scenarios commonly encountered in real-world buildings. By measuring cognitive performance using standardized tests, the researchers can assess the impact of different environmental factors on participants' abilities to concentrate, make decisions, and solve problems.
The findings of the COGfx research study have significant implications for the design and operation of buildings worldwide. By demonstrating the positive effects of healthy buildings on cognitive function, this study highlights the importance of investing in indoor environmental quality.
It provides valuable evidence that can be used to advocate for better building standards and policies that prioritize occupant health and well-being. Ultimately, the COGfx research study aims to promote a shift towards healthier buildings that enhance productivity, satisfaction, and overall quality of life for occupants.
The big picture view - what role does the anthropocene play in the healthy buildings movement?
The Anthropocene is a term used to describe the current geological age, in which human activities have had a significant and lasting impact on the Earth's ecosystems. It is characterized by the rapid evolution of technology and the widespread industrialization that has occurred over the past few centuries.
This has led to significant changes in the natural environment, including increased pollution, deforestation, and climate change. These changes have had profound effects on the health and wellbeing of both humans and other species.
The rapid evolution of technology and industrialization has brought about numerous advancements and improvements in our daily lives. However, it has also come at a cost to our health and wellbeing.
The increase in pollution from industrial activities has led to a decline in air and water quality, resulting in respiratory and other health issues for humans. Additionally, deforestation and habitat destruction have led to the loss of biodiversity, disrupting ecosystems and potentially leading to the spread of diseases.
Climate change, another consequence of human activities during the Anthropocene, has also had significant effects on our health and wellbeing. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing patterns of precipitation can lead to increased risk of heat stroke, vector-borne diseases, and food insecurity.
These changes disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as those in low-income communities or developing countries.
PRADO restaurant lisbon with biophilic design
the chemical revolution
The chemical revolution refers to the significant changes that occurred in the field of chemistry during the 18th and 19th centuries. It marked a period of intense scientific development and discovery, leading to advancements in various industries and the understanding of chemical processes.
This revolution brought about major changes in manufacturing methods, agriculture, medicine, and everyday life. The use of chemicals became widespread, leading to both positive and negative impacts on society.
One negative impact of the chemical revolution is the role that harmful chemicals play in sick building syndrome. Sick building syndrome refers to a condition where occupants of a building experience acute health effects or discomfort due to the time spent in the building.
Poor indoor air quality, often caused by the presence of harmful chemicals, is a common factor contributing to this syndrome.
Chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from building materials, furnishings, cleaning products, and even personal care products can accumulate indoors and negatively affect the health and wellbeing of occupants.
These chemicals can cause respiratory problems, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure proper ventilation and minimize the use of harmful chemicals in buildings to prevent sick building syndrome and promote a healthy indoor environment.
This context helps to explain how it came to pass that the buildings we inhabit for 90% of our lives (!) may in fact be having a negative impact on our wellbeing.
Only through some combination of new and existing buildings improving their building operations to impact human health in a positive sense, combined with efforts by the likes of US Green Building Council LEED and WELL certification for new buildings do we stand a chance of not just reducing the environmental impact of the real estate sector but converting it into a wellbeing contributor.
Green Healthy Places - healthy building consultants
Whether your concern be workplace wellbeing or health interior design, by integrating wellness features such as those described above, from monitoring features and a performance based system rating systems, to sustainable design, improve air quality, WELL building standard certification and efforts to improve air quality, followed up by post occupancy surveys, contact us at Green Healthy Places (part of Biofilico) to discuss how we can assist.
Green Building Barcelona: Best Sustainable and Healthy Office Interiors — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
The six best green and healthy office real estate developments in Barcelona are all located in the PobleNou district. This ex-industrial area is rapidly evolving into the hub for sustainable construction. Each one of the buildings reviewed is guided by an ESG real estate strategy by the investors and developers.
entegra office building barcelona
The six best green and healthy office real estate developments in Barcelona are all located in the PobleNou district. This ex-industrial area, the avant-garde centre of the city, is rapidly evolving into the hub for sustainable construction.
Barcelona is a model for sustainable urban development through its implementation of superblocks and sustainable architecture, creating pedestrian-friendly spaces, reducing traffic congestion, and improving air quality.
Each one of the buildings reviewed, is built with its own ESG approach and priorities such as energy efficiency or environmental and public health first, often achieving renowned certifications like LEED and WELL.
The office developments covered below are:
Badajoz 97
Entegra building
Green Business District
T3 Diagonal Mar
Wittywood
Lumen Offices
what is a sustainable office interior?
A sustainable office is part of the broader concept of sustainable architecture, which encompasses eco-friendly and energy-efficient workspaces designed to reduce the carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
The concept of sustainable office interior design has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the real estate industry, as businesses are increasingly becoming aware of the impact of their operations on the environment.
Sustainable office interiors are designed to conserve energy, minimize waste, and use environmentally friendly materials throughout the space.
what is sustainable office interior design in sustainable architecture?
The design of a sustainable office interior includes various sustainable practices such as natural lighting, energy-efficient systems, and the use of sustainable materials. These features encompass energy-efficient lighting systems, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and HVAC systems that consume less energy. The use of sustainable materials such as recycled wood, bamboo, and other renewable resources is also a key aspect of sustainable office interiors.
The workplace design should also incorporate green spaces, such as plants and green walls, which not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the workspace but also contribute to air purification.
benefits of sustainable office interiors with energy efficiency
Sustainable office interiors have several benefits, including reduced energy costs, improved indoor air quality, increased employee productivity, and enhanced brand reputation.
These benefits are driving more businesses to adopt sustainable office interiors as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
what is a healthy office interior with natural light?
A healthy office interior is an essential aspect of any modern workplace focused on improving the mental and physical wellbeing of employees. The interior design of an office can have a significant impact on employee health, meaning an office space will affect their productivity, creativity, and to some extent overall job satisfaction.
On this basis, a healthy workplace should be designed with the aim of creating a comfortable and stimulating work environment that supports the physical and mental health and emotional needs of employees while they are in the office building - how they deal with their home office environment is a subject for another blog post!
how to create a healthy office?
The interior design of an office should provide ample natural light, fresh air, and comfortable temperature levels to promote a healthy environment. The use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, can create a soothing atmosphere that reduces stress and anxiety levels.
Additionally, incorporating plants into the office decor can improve indoor air quality, promote health, and create a calming effect on employees.
Ergonomic furniture is a crucial aspect of a more healthy office design and interior. Chairs, desks, and other office furniture should be adjustable to accommodate different body types and promote good posture. This can help prevent back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal issues that can arise from prolonged sitting.
The color scheme of an office interior can also impact employee wellbeing. Bright, bold colors can be energizing, while muted tones can be calming. It is important to strike a balance between these two extremes to encourage employees and create an environment that is both stimulating and relaxing.
In conclusion, a healthy office interior is essential for promoting the wellbeing of employees. The design should prioritize natural light, fresh air, and comfortable temperature levels, incorporate natural materials and plants, feature ergonomic furniture, and use a color scheme that balances stimulation and relaxation.
By creating a comfortable, productive and stimulating work environment, employers can improve employee productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction.
green business district, barcelona
Green Business District healthy office development Barcelona
The Green Business District is a 15,507 sqm project developed by Glenwell Group that offers a sustainable balance between life and work. The four office buildings comprising the complex are connected through an extensive natural environment that highly improves the quality of life of those working in the District.
This innovative complex designed by the architectural firm BCA offers a unique combination of historical heritage and highly innovative contemporary buildings, as the existing modernist architecture is beautifully restored and included as part of the project.
The different buildings are harmoniously merged together into one stimulating environment through the natural landscapes.
The interiors are designed as state-of-the-art flexible office spaces ready to meet the unique needs of each of their users. Still, despite the versatility, each space provides thermal and acoustic comfort as well as the highest standards of quality, sustainability and health. The use of innovative air conditioning systems, such as free-cooling units and sensor-regulated systems, achieves energy efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions.
The different biophilic and environmental design features have contributed to acquiring a LEED Platinum Certificate and a WELL Gold Certificate.
entegra office building barcelona
Entegra sustainable office building Barcelona
Entegra is an eight-story, sustainable office building of 4,138 sqm designed by the architectural studio Batlleiroig and developed by Urban Input. The singular look of its facade is granted by a charred wood cladding as the project enhances a connection with nature.
The offices aim to enhance the well-being of the users by providing space to breathe. Each storey offers a spacious open floor plan interior that expands into a large wooden deck offering a limitless perception.
The expansion provided by this experience, as well as the presence of vegetation, inspires the users to take a breath and rest which positively influences their physical and mental health and well-being.
The different sustainability features included in the Entegra design contribute to the LEED Gold Certification. Additionally, the application of different bioclimatic strategies such as thorough insulation and smart automated natural ventilation highly reduces the energy demand.
This energy efficiency is supported by a solar power installation, including photovoltaic solar panels, enabling it to achieve a near Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB).
Wittywood, Barcelona
Wittywood sustainable office design Barcelona
This 3,600 sqm project developed by Colonial is the first Spanish office building built entirely of wood. Betarq, the architecture studio in charge of Wittywood‘s design, chose to raise this construction with a wooden structure as a solution to lower its environmental impact as well as to contribute to a healthier work environment.
Using wood as a construction material reduces the carbon footprint by as much as 50% but also provides a good thermal resistance which helps improve the energy efficiency of the building. Additionally, the project produces its own renewable energy with solar panels, cutting down the energy demand considerably.
Such green building strategies contributed to obtaining a LEED Platinum Certification, though given the commitment to prioritise the user’s well-being, Wittywood has obtained a Well Platinum Certification as well.
The interior spaces are thought to create a natural work environment and offer spacious open floor plan designs, finished with prime natural materials and floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise daylight indoors.
Badajoz 97, Barcelona
Badajoz 97 real estate development Barcelona
As part of the 2019 Urban Improvement Plan, this 14,000 sqm building developed by Conren Tramway and designed by Batlleiroig architects harmoniously integrates past and future.
Located in a rapidly evolving neighbourhood, Badajoz 97 embraces its industrial heritage with a black ceramic facade while opting for a highly innovative structural solution that enables modern-looking large open floor indoor spaces.
This sense of openness is enhanced by the addition of a wide terrace at the end of every floor. These exterior spaces are designed as gardens and aim to enhance the connection to nature, contributing to a healthier environment with improved air quality.
The different strategies utilised to improve the well-being of the users have granted this building a WELL Certification.
https://www.batlleiroig.com/es/projectes/oficines-badajoz-97-a-barcelona/
Edifico Lumen, Barcelona
Lumen Offices office real estate Barcelona
The presence of extensive vegetation contributes to the environment as well as promoting biodiversity and helps maintain stable temperature and humidity levels.
Other sustainable strategies such as passive design features and the installation of photovoltaic panels help reduce the energy demand and grant the building with a LEED Gold Certificate.
This unique office building is conceived out of the sustainable idea of repurposing an existing structure. Designed by Batlleiroig and developed by Heptaprim-Odiseus, the Lumen Offices maintains an early 90's garage structure and turns it into an example of sustainability and efficiency.
Aimed to improve the well-being of its users, this office building enhances an indoor-outdoor relationship and uses different biophilic strategies to integrate nature into its design.
The terraces and exterior spaces are essential to this project as having been designed as gardens, contribute to an improved air quality.
The broad extension of plants surrounding the building provides a filter protecting the direct, hot sun rays from overheating the interiors.
As a result, vegetation helps maintain a temperature of comfort cutting down energy consumption. The energy efficiency of the Lummen Offices is further supported as it produces its own renewable energy with photovoltaic panels.
https://edificiolumen.com/equipo/
T3 Diagonal Mar, BArcelona
T3 Diagonal Mar green and healthy offices Barcelona
This innovative project developed by Hines and Hendersons Park is designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability and well-being. A combination of wood, vegetation and avant-garde technologies has led the team behind this building to receive three distinguished certifications: LEED Platinum, WELL and WiredScore.
Designed by Batlleiroig this 3,610 sqm project is divided into four open floor plan stories. With the intention and focus of providing a healthy building, the interiors are finished with warm wood, equipped with ventilation systems, and flooded with natural light.
The floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces contribute as well to creating an indoor-outdoor transparency offering a sense of connection to the city.
To increase productivity and minimise energy consumption T3 Office building is designed using passive strategies. Yet, the self-production of solar energy and the usage of the latest industrialised systems contribute to a reduced energy demand.
the Secrets of a Healthy Building: 9 Essential Principles for Optimal Wellness and Sustainability
Secrets of a Healthy Building: 9 Essential Principles for Optimal Wellness and Sustainability
Healthy buildings are designed to improve the well-being of their occupants. By contributing to global health, these buildings support sustainable development goals, operating across various pillars of health and underpinned by public health principles. They incorporate features that enhance air quality, natural lighting, and ergonomic design, which collectively promote a healthier lifestyle.
z 97, Barcelona (Batlleroig Architects)
the role of wellness real estate and healthy buildings
Healthy buildings are no longer a niche market or an afterthought in the construction and real estate industries. They have become a key consideration for developers, owners, and occupants alike, as the benefits of living and working in a healthy environment become increasingly apparent.
In this article, we will explore the importance of healthy buildings, the connection between well-being and sustainable buildings, and the nine essential principles for designing and operating a healthy building according to the Harvard C. Chan team's healthy buildings program at Harvard University focused on public health and health science.
We will also examine the role of a healthy building consultant, case studies of successful healthy building projects in London, and the future of healthy building science, indoor spaces that enhance occupant health and the concept of wellness real estate.
Introduction to healthy buildings and their importance
A healthy building is one that is designed and operated in a way that optimizes the health and well-being of its occupants while minimizing its environmental impact.
The concept of a healthy building has evolved from a focus on improving indoor air quality (poor indoor air quality has been referred to as Sick Building Syndrome in the past) to a more holistic approach that considers the myriad factors that affect human health and well-being in indoor spaces. Healthy buildings also play a crucial role in improving environmental health by reducing harmful air pollutants and contributing to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions
Research into healthy buildings
Research has shown that healthy buildings can lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved cognitive function among occupants, making them a critical component of a modern, sustainable built environment.
The importance of healthy buildings is underscored by the fact that we spend approximately 90% of our time nowadays in indoor spaces. As our urban populations continue to grow and our awareness of the impact of the built environment on human health and well-being increases, the demand for healthy buildings will only continue to rise.
This has led to the development of building types, certification programs and building standards that specifically focus on the health and well-being of building occupants, such as the WELL Building Standard, that is aligned with the US Green Building Council (behind the LEED rating system). So how do these two concepts relate to each other?
Green Business District, Barcelona, Spain
The connection between well-being and sustainable buildings
There is a strong connection between well-being and green buildings, which offer significant economic, environmental, and health benefits. Sustainable buildings are designed to minimize their environmental impact while maximizing their efficiency, and these principles can also contribute to a healthier indoor environment for the building owners.
For example, energy-efficient buildings tend to have better
Sustainable buildings
Sustainable buildings often incorporate green building materials and practices, which can lead to better indoor environmental quality and reduced exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants, toxins in materials released as VOCs reduce indoor air quality.
For existing buildings, specific requirements and considerations such as indoor air quality testing and post-occupancy evaluations are crucial to ensure they meet green building standards.
WELL Building Standard
The WELL Building Standard, developed by the International WELL Building Institute, is a certification program that merges the principles of sustainable building with those of human health and well-being.
WELL-certified buildings are designed and operated to support human health and wellness, ensuring the physical, mental, and social well-being of their occupants, while also promoting resource efficiency and environmental stewardship.
WELL certification and the International Well Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a global organization that promotes the design and operation of healthy buildings through the WELL Building Standard.
This performance-based certification system measures the impact of the built environment on human health and well-being across seven categories: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.
By focusing on the factors that directly affect human health and well-being, the WELL Building Standard aims to create a healthier, more sustainable built environment that supports the overall health outcomes wellness of healthier buildings and its occupants.
WELL certification is awarded to buildings that meet the requirements set forth by the IWBI and demonstrate a commitment to promoting health and well-being.
To achieve certification, buildings must undergo a rigorous assessment process, which includes on-site testing, performance verification, and documentation review.
Once certified, WELL buildings must maintain their high standards through ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement.
Harvard’s 9 Principles of a Healthy Buildings, by Joseph Allen
The 9 essential principles for a healthier building
a. Indoor air quality
Indoor air quality is a crucial component of a healthier building, as poor air quality can lead to a host of health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and cognitive impairment. Using high efficiency filter vacuums for cleaning surfaces regularly can help remove particles such as dander and allergens, addressing breathing issues and minimizing exposure to VOC, lead, pesticides, and allergens.
To ensure optimal indoor air quality, healthier indoor environments should be designed to minimize the entry and accumulation of pollutants, provide adequate ventilation, and incorporate air filtration systems to remove particulate matter and other contaminants.
b. Indoor environmental quality
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the overall comfort and well-being of occupants within a building, encompassing factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting, and acoustics.
An office building or residential development should therefore be designed to maintain comfortable and consistent indoor conditions, provide ample natural light, and minimize noise pollution to create a pleasant and productive environment for its occupants. Excessive noise pollution can negatively impact mental health, leading to mental illness and decreased performance.
c. Green building materials and practices
The use of green building materials and practices is an essential component of a healthy building, as it helps to minimize the environmental impact of construction and reduce occupants' exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants.
Green building materials are typically made from renewable resources, have low embodied energy, and are free of toxic substances.
Healthy buildings should also incorporate sustainable construction practices, such as waste reduction, resource-efficient design, and environmentally friendly landscaping.
d. Occupant comfort and satisfaction
Occupant comfort and satisfaction are important considerations in the design and operation of a healthy building, as they directly impact the well-being and productivity of the people who live and work within the space.
By support occupant health and ensuring that buildings are designed to meet the needs and preferences of their occupants, healthy buildings can contribute to a more positive and enjoyable experience for all.
e. Energy efficiency and sustainability
Energy efficiency and sustainability are critical components of a healthy building, as they help to minimize its environmental impact and reduce operating costs.
Natural ventilation plays a crucial role in improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency by reducing the need for mechanical ventilation systems. By incorporating energy-efficient technologies, such as high-performance insulation, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy systems, healthy buildings can significantly reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint.
f. Building maintenance and operations
Proper building maintenance and operations are essential to maintaining a healthy indoor environment and ensuring the longevity of the building itself.
The World Health Organization recommends national plans for noise indoor environment and provides guidelines for water safety plans and maintenance.
A healthy building should have a comprehensive maintenance plan in place that includes regular inspections, cleaning, and repairs to ensure that all systems are functioning optimally and that any potential issues are addressed promptly.
g. Wellness strategy integration
A wellness strategy is a comprehensive approach to promoting health and well-being within a building or organization.
Healthy buildings should integrate wellness strategies, such as providing access to fitness facilities, offering healthy food options, and creating spaces for relaxation and social interaction, to support the overall wellness of their occupants.
h. Design for human health and well-being
A healthy building should be designed with the health and well-being of its occupants in mind, taking into consideration factors such as ergonomics, biophilia, and accessibility.
By incorporating design elements that promote physical activity, social interaction, and connection to nature, healthy buildings can create an environment that supports the mental, emotional, and physical wellness of its occupants.
i. Community engagement and connectivity
A healthy building should foster a sense of community and connection among its occupants, as well as with the surrounding neighborhood.
This can be achieved through the creation of communal spaces, the promotion of social events and activities, and the integration of the building within the larger community through partnerships, collaborations, and shared resources.
Wittywood healthy building, Barcelona
The role of a healthy building consultant
A healthy building consultant is a professional who specializes in the design, construction, and operation of healthy buildings.
These experts have a deep understanding of the factors that affect indoor environmental quality and occupant well-being and can provide valuable guidance and advice to building owners, developers, and architects on how to create and maintain a healthy building.
By working with a healthy building consultant, building owners can ensure that their projects meet the highest standards of health and well-being, while also achieving their sustainability goals.
Healthy building strategies for residential real estate
For residential real estate, healthy building strategies can include incorporating natural light and ventilation, using non-toxic building materials, and providing access to outdoor spaces, such as balconies or gardens.
Residential developments can promote a sense of community and well-being by offering shared amenities, such as fitness centers, community gardens, and social spaces.
Healthy building strategies for office buildings
In office buildings, healthy building strategies can involve providing adjustable workstations, access to natural light, and proper ventilation to ensure a comfortable and productive work environment.
Office buildings can also promote well-being by offering spaces for relaxation and social interaction, such as break rooms, outdoor terraces, or communal dining areas, and by providing access to on-site fitness facilities or wellness programs.
Case studies: Successful healthy building projects in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona in Spain has seen a plethora of successful healthy building projects in recent years, demonstrating the growing demand for wellness real estate in our home city. We previously wrote extensively about this subject in a separate blog post here.
One of the latest examples from the prolific architect studio Batlleroig is the One Parc Central development in @22 Poblenou that is targeting LEED Platinum and WELL Platinum. The 52m high tower has 12 office and three basement floors, 258 parking spaces for cars, motorbikes and cycles, as well as a focus on energy efficiency, water efficiency and an abundance of natural materials used in construction.
Conclusion: The future of healthy buildings and wellness real estate
The future of healthy buildings and wellness real estate is bright, as more people become aware of the impact that the built environment has on their health and well-being.
As demand for healthy buildings continues to grow, it is likely that we will see increased investment in research, innovation, and the development of new technologies, materials, and design strategies that support the creation of healthier, more sustainable buildings.
By prioritizing the health and well-being of occupants, the real estate industry can play a significant role in promoting a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
future-proof real estate with the smart building collective
Proptech is at the heart of both sustainable green buildings and healthy buildings nowadays, as well as playing a role in real estate ESG strategies. Smart Building Collective (SBC) covers building usage, performance, indoor environment, health and safety, user behavior and connectivity. Green & Healthy Places podcast with Matt Morley of Biofilico and Nicholas White of the SMC.
wellbeing & sustainability in real estate & hospitality podcast
Welcome to episode 063 of the Green & Healthy Places podcast in which we discuss the themes of wellbeing and sustainability in real estate and hospitality.
In this episode we’re in Amsterdam talking to Nicholas White, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of the Smart Building Collective, a smart building and pro-tech business with its own certification framework focused on leveraging technology to measure how a real estate asset is performing.
It covers key metrics such as the building usage, its performance, the building environment, health and safety, user behavior and connectivity.
We discuss how a smart tech is at the heart of both sustainable green buildings and healthy buildings nowadays, as well as playing a role in real estate ESG strategies. We also look at some of the more innovative real estate developments that he’s been a part of recently that give a sense of where the industry might be going in the future.
Matt
Nicholas, thanks for joining us on the show. Amazing to have you here. You're dialing in from Amsterdam where you’re based?
Nicholas
Yes, I am. Thanks for having me.
Matt
Listen, why don't we start with a bit of background to give the genesis of what you do with the Smart Building Collective. How did the whole thing start?
Nicholas
I personally came from the corporate sector doing large scale IT transformation projects, we were attacking these from the human perspective, really change management, trying to help people maximize the usage of of tech, and getting the most out of it. And what was always quite disheartening was the corporates would kind of roll over their people in that process, which was was quite painful to watch.
I thought there needs to be a better way, there needs to be a more engaging way, a healthier way to do these kinds of transformation programs.
So I left the corporate sector, and I teamed up with a woman by the name of Elizabeth Nelson, and she was doing research into burnout and human performance. I came more from the practical side of working with leadership teams and working in corporate space to make things better.
impact of the built environment on physical and mental health
Then we got this amazing opportunity with CBRE to do a research study on the impact of the built environment on people.
They built a ‘living lab’, the cost was probably about 250,000 euros to build then they started changing all of the things in the office environment, from the plants to the food, air and light over the course of 10 months.
They would do cognitive tests on people to see what the impact was. So the results were amazing. And then when we left, Elizabeth was asked to do it again, with booking.com. And we did a huge research study here in Amsterdam, that dictated their new headquarter plans, which was really quite cool.
Same thing happened, you know, it took a long time to build, expensive and the research results were amazing. The Living Lab collapsed after the research study was done, which looking back is completely logical that that happened.
Then we did it a third time, this time for GSK in the UK - GlaxoSmithKline. After that it was, okay, is there not a better way to do this? Where is there a standard? And this was around 2018 -2019. Where is there a standard that we can just plug into and do research more effectively, more efficiently and more collectively.
Developing a smart building standard for real estate
We came across the smart readiness indicator, which was the EU's approach to a smart standard but for the rest, nothing else existed. So we started to think about doing it ourselves. And that's kind of what we did. And we launched in 2020 The smart buildings certification.
green buildings, healthy buildings and smart buildings - whats the difference?
Matt
Okay, so let's go a level deeper, because I think a lot of people will have heard perhaps the term a green building, which is essentially a building that's designed to minimize its environmental impact, so externally oriented while a healthy building is a terminology more oriented internally thinking about the impact the building has on its occupants.
You just used the term smart building, it's in your brand. It's in your name to the core of what you do. So how does a smart building fit into that spectrum of green buildings on one side and healthy buildings on the other?
smart tech in buildings for real time management efficiencies
Nicholas
For us, you know, smart building is about technology, it's the digitization of real estate, it's an enabler. It's nothing more than that it shouldn't be a goal in itself to make a smart building, it's about the results that we're trying to achieve with that asset, and then working back to think about, okay, how can we make that more efficient and easier to do and more real time.
So it isn't essentially a tech component on both sides - on the healthy building scene, if you're not measuring it and monitoring it in the long term, you can't effectively justify the upfront investment that you put in, you need to keep an eye on what's happening.
You have sustainability, you have health and wellbeing in real estate. But there's also efficiency gains through the management and maintenance of your asset, creating a better user experience, which isn't just about the health of occupants, it's also about human performance and culture and community and building a way for people to connect with each other. And with the asset, you also have kind of new business models that are emerging from the enablement that tech provides.
I think we all have heard the pressure that the commercial real estate is under with the changing of work, flexible working and so on, with a smart building we have the ability to see what's working versus what's not working, I think you're in a much better position to make rational decisions as an owner or developer.
the smart building framework
You've created essentially your own framework that gives some structure to how you think about smart buildings. I think that's such an important piece of of how you communicate your position and the your, let's say, view of the real estate industry.
So it's clearly at the core of what you're about, perhaps you could just give us a quick overview of those component parts that make up your framework.
Nicholas
Yeah, sure. So the smart building certification, where we always are saying is founded in research, and practice, and we're constantly optimizing it with our community, we actually made a change from the smart building certification to the smart building Collective, we did that last year in August. And the reason for that is that as we were certifying buildings, we see that not a single one of them is similar. They're all completely different.
So the certification really is being informed by the collective, the smartest buildings we find and the smartest solutions we find are informing the benchmark and constantly changing it. So in a way, you can start to think about it as a bit of a web 3.0 approach to certification in the sense that it is dynamic, and it is moving and and we're learning as we go.
But in essence, the certification that we have created, starts with the results, right? Like what are we actually trying to do with these assets? And then works back to the technology of how do we get to that result. And that result is broken into a number of different modules within the certification.
Smart building usage data, performance and indoor environment
So the first module is building usage, you know, how does one have kind of overview and control over how the assets are being utilized - from occupancy, to how amenities are being used, these types of things.
What kind of technology do you have in place to understand how your asset is being used, the next module is building performance, then you can really think about your sustainability aspects, your energy consumption, your water consumption, how the asset is actually performing against the goals and against the promise.
We have a module on building environment, which is thinking more about your health and well being. And it's really about your indoor environment being sound, light, indoor air quality, these types of things.
How do we use technology to make sure that the environment is healthy and in state for people to use it in a good way. We also have a module on safety and security, of course, which is both physical security, but also digital security. As you put more smart building more technology into a building, we need to keep it safe, we need to keep the cybersecurity at the forefront. But it's also about physical security and Disaster Mitigation.
The last module is user behavior and collaboration. So how can people find each other? How can they interact with the building? How does community get created?
Integrative design in smart buildings
And then all of those modules are actually brought together by a module we call integrative design, which is how can we actually with the least amount of technology, maximize the value in the results and all of those different areas? Instead of having a technology for each piece? How can we make sure that the technology becomes an aspect that adds value to all those different areas?
governance and real estate esg in smart buildings
One of the things that really sets us apart is we have a huge emphasis on governance, process, access to data, do the right people have access to the data to do something with it? And is the organization structured in a way that actually can do it? Because I think, you know, a smart building without actually using that data is you could argue, is that smart?
Matt
Perhaps for anyone who's not aware of some of the intricacies of how that works, then you're effectively looking at the facilities management, the building management company that's looking after the building, we're talking a fairly large scale, say mixed use or office development on behalf of the tenant or on behalf of effectively behind that the investor? Or is it the tenant themselves who has some role and wants access to that needs to be involved.
Nicholas
Well, you know, ideally, it's a communal effort, the whole idea is to break down silos and to be working together, to forge better relationships between the owner, property manager, tenants and all the different suppliers that are in there. I think where the industry is, right now, which is challenging is that all of those things are being done in silo, every single one of those different stakeholders is dealing with their piece of the puzzle, which in the end, makes it quite a quite challenging.
Ideally the stakeholder map would be doing this together. But what we see in practice is that it's coming from different perspectives, like we will do a certification for a tenant that is interested in understanding what their building is capable of doing for them from a tenant perspective, and they can use it to then work with the landlord to say, ‘hey, from my ESG perspective, I need to have better energy consumption or at least better insight into my energy consumption’, these types of things.
We also do it from a building owner perspective that says, ‘Hey, I've laid in an incredible tech stack for my potential tenants and my property managers. How can we help them?’ So with with your certification level, and with your communication and your training, how can I improve it? How can I make it better?
real estate ESG and the role of smart technology in buildings
Matt
It's tapping into this rising tide around awareness of ESG. I see it coming from above in terms of pension funds and investment groups coming in, then applying pressure on the investors or the building owners, but also from below, sometimes from the employees themselves, and oftentimes from tenants of the building.
Nicholas
Yeah, and you know, where we're at right now is just meeting people where they are, right, like, we have some of the most, you know, the smartest developers in the world, who, on one side, want to help tell the world that they've created something really spectacular, and something really special.
At the other side, they want to say, Okay, where are my holes? Where are my gaps? What am I not thinking about yet, so that I can, you know, push push the envelope for, for this development, or my next development? And then you have people who are like, well, what is smart? Like, how do I even how do I even start?
How do I even where do I begin, and that was one of the main reasons we pivoted to the smart building Collective is that, you know, we're not here to say, this is how you build a smart building, the collective is informing this certification, and then there's a ton of people in this community that are there to help, you know, from all different walks of life, but different culture different, you know, views, different ways of supporting, and so you can find the solution when you when you're looking for it.
size and scale in smart building certification projects
What is the minimum size that you're noticing in the market, in terms of buildings, and developers coming to you with an interest in in going deeper into this, you know, oftentimes, you might see smaller developers, smaller building owners, smaller tenants who have increasingly aware of this ESG angle and want to get into it, and then look at the breadth of a big healthy building certification such as WELL for example and just even to go for one or two elements of that looks like a big undertaking. We don't have the manpower, we don't have the budget? How does smart fit in? Is there a bespoke approach that one can adopt, as you say, just to kind of get started? Or is it all or nothing? And therefore, is it a certain size of building that makes more sense?
Nicholas
No, it's definitely not all or nothing, it's, start, wherever you are, start small, start getting a little bit more control in different areas. And, and, you know, what's so exciting about the benchmark system that we've created is, is that it's, it's moving, you know, it's rolling, but it's also applicable to whichever asset class whatever size, you know, whatever type of property in whatever country, because what we what we are doing is actually starting to build some benchmarks, right.
So if you are a building of 5000 square meters, which is, you know, not that big. Let's compare you to other 5000 square meter buildings. And we get the we get the question, you know, should I have a user wrap? Well, it depends, you know, it depends on the context that depends on what you're trying to do. It depends on the value cases you're after, what are you trying to accomplish with your property. And in that sense, you should really be compared to like minded buildings, and not to, you know, all of them.
Smart app technology in building management
So a user app would then be a smartphone integrated user face where you can see what's going on around you in the building in terms of key data points and metrics, from air quality to light usage and electricity usage. Is that essentially what it does?
Nicholas
Yeah, they come in all different shapes and sizes. A lot of user apps focus on the community aspects of a building, you know, what kind of workshops are happening today? What kind of events? What run happening this afternoon with a group of people. Some of them go beyond the building itself and connect you to the community in the smart city space, you know, what's going on in the neighborhood. But you also see them as being utilitarian where they start to become the key to doors or the light switches.
To get the utilization up of those apps, you start with the utility piece, if you can't open the door without it, then you're going to start using that app. And then growing into that community aspect, we also see the app becoming kind of the financial backbone of the building that it manages everything from room booking to amenity usage.
So sky's the limit as to what you can do with that functionality. That's a big one.
peer reviewed smart building certification and accredited professionals
And around the the actual smart building certification process itself and your accredited professionals or your “APs"“, how does that network function?
Nicholas
Our certification comes from the world of academics. So when you research and you write a publishable paper, it always gets peer reviewed. A scientific paper doesn't get published in the market until it's been peer reviewed. So we thought, you know, Shouldn't that be how we assess buildings? So we built a peer review model, where you have independent assessors who are looking at this building, and those assessors come from different cultures different, you know, parts of the world, and they look at your building. And then what we have in the certification process is we have quantitative data, and we have qualitative data. The quantitative data is very much based on, you know, do you have the technology?
Do you have the functionality, the coverage, you know, is it there, and that's quite black or white, right? It's either there or it's not there. The qualitative data is much more the grays that are going on in buildings, right? It's like your governance structure. How are you organizing yourself as a building, your integrative design?
You know, how did you decide to build your smart building? Did you use a one massive supplier for the whole tech stack? That's, you know, really been around for 30-40 years? Or did you use a bunch of startups and scale ups and have them work? Together? Right? There's no kind of wrong answer there.
You just make different decisions for different reason. And so there's definitely a qualitative piece that needs to be taken into consideration of a this is what we see in buildings, this is the pros, this is the cons. Maybe this is something you should think about, you know, moving forward.
And that peer review model has been hugely successful in the sense that these assessors get to, you know, assess buildings all around the world, and they get to see the different cultures and the different ways that they're built. And it's become a really, really incredible community of people who not only are working together daily to find good solutions for their own work, but but also helping inform the collective to improve this certification improve what we do.
Matt
Is there a particular building or case study that you've been involved in that could be representative of where things are going or where things are at today in terms of smart building excellence?
a leading example of a smart building
Nicholas
One that we just certified that is amazing is the Hausmann’s Hus in Oslo. It's a family office that built this incredible building from an altruistic perspective, they said, it's not about building a smart building, it's about building the best building we possibly can. And it just happens to be digital.
They created these smart grids throughout the building, which allows them to configure the building any way that they want, for however big or small a tenant would be, and give that space its own smart infrastructure, its own energy metering, its own light metering, completely self contained. A traditional building will take the energy of the building and divide it by the amount of square meters, and send a bill to the tenant based on that calculation.
This is a completely more sophisticated way to do it. And then it's just the most beautiful high quality building. They also have open, transparent contracts with their suppliers, where they say, we're gonna guarantee you your margin, but we're going to discuss the cost. And they originally thought that the budget of the smart building was going to be significantly higher, because of all this smart tech but by managing it in an open and transparent way with their suppliers, they've actually been able to create a building that's the same cost, which I think is something we all need to learn from. It makes good business sense.
Matt
Where do you see your growth over the next three to five years?
Nicholas
I think part of our role is that we need to get these success stories and these stories out. We need to write these cases, and we need to make them quantified, and share how impact is being made. I think we're gonna get to this point of - what is the right level of technology for buildings, and what's too far? The emergence of having buildings be larger than themselves, I guess, being part of a community and not just stand alone.
buildings become part of a community
We’ll also see that with co-working spaces and you know, community spaces, these kinds of things. I think that's going to be a huge component in the future. We just certified a building in in Finland that has its own geothermal energy plant that they built under the building. And it is now feeding the energy to the entire grid around that building. There's something to be said about being a global citizen with your project!
I have the strong belief that out of challenging times, which the commercial real estate is definitely in right now, comes some incredible opportunities. And I think the emergence of cultural, experiential type places, is emerging. I'll be very curious to see how that evolves as it becomes a completely different asset class, not a museum, not a concert hall, not an office or a hotel but something new.
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FURTHE READING:
Best Examples of Biophilic Buildings in Commercial Real Estate — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
Examples of biophilic design in real estate architecture are gaining prominence in high-profile commercial buildings around the world, here we examine the best concepts that combine elements of nature, wellbeing and sustainability.
Best Examples of Biophilic commercial developments
Examples of biophilic design in architecture are gaining prominence in high-profile commercial buildings around the world, here we examine the best concepts that combine elements of nature, wellbeing and sustainability
LaMercedes, Barcelona / Developers: Conren Tramway / Architects: BatlleRoig
Roots In The Sky, London / Developers: Fabrix / Concept Architects: Studio RHE / Project Architects: Sheppard Robson
CapitaSpring building, Singapore / Developers: CapitaSpring / Architects: BIG
Yorkville - The Ring, Hong Kong / Developers: Hong Kong Land / Architects: PHA
NION, Frankfurt / Developers: Groß & Partners / Architects: Unstudio
Holbein Gardens / Developer: Grosvenor Property UK / Architects: Barr Gazetas
Incorporating natural elements into biophilic design is essential for supporting sustainability and enhancing wellbeing.
LaMercedes Barcelona - a biophilic mixed-use development
LaMercedes, Barcelona by Conren Tramway (architects Batlleiroig)
LaMercedes, Barcelona by Conren Tramway (architects Batlleiroig)
Conren Tramway are a Spanish investor, developer group based in Barcelona and Madrid with an expansive portfolio covering office, residential and mixed-use development and investment projects.
In addition to the iconic Three Towers, ‘Les Tres Xemeneies del Parallel’, in Barcelona and various mixed-use developments in the new business distric @22 in Poblenou, this group have taken on what is perhaps their most ambitious urban regeneration project yet - LaMercedes, set to the first ‘eco-district’ in Spain integrating a variety of sustainable green building concepts, healthy building wellbeing strategies real estate ESG criteria.
What was once a car factory in an industrial area of the city is to be transformed by local architects Batlleiroig into an 185,000 sqm development that is “carbon and car-free”, a “sustainable island’“ in the city. Public services will include a museum, community center and an educational facility.
The project aims to mimic natural environments to improve the health and wellbeing of its occupants, as well as to optimize sustainability and environmental performance.
A total of 15,000m2 of retail space and 1300 residential units combined with 46,000m2 of creative offices and a ‘talent campus’ for 2000 students will make this a truly unique new addition to Barcelona’s urban landscape.
Another key feature of this ‘eco-illa’ will be the intelligent mobility system that pushes the infrastructure underground including a traffic system to leave the ground floor vehicle-free, meaning a pedestrianized and cycle-friendly experience for residents and visitors.
Expect to see an abundance of green space in the built environment, plenty of outdoor space to enhance wellbeing, an architectural design that integrates biophilic design principles and natural materials for human connection with the outside world.
Roots in the Sky, London - biophilic design and natural light in office real estate
Roots in the Sky by Fabrix
Already attracting attention for its headline-grabbing 1.4-acre urban forest rooftop accessible by the local community, Roots in the Sky is a statement of intent by the developers Fabrix, showing their focus on - biodiversity and sustainability in real estate.
What was once a 1960s era building housing Blackfriars Crown Court will undergo an urban regeneration facelift into an all-electric 385,000 sq ft mixed-use development containing offices, community spaces and retail.
Based around a hybrid steel and CLT (cross laminate timber) frame that reduces embodied carbon content, the concept architects are Studio RHE led by Richard Hywel Evans and project architects are Sheppard Robson with environmental consulting support by Atelier Ten.
A passive ventilation strategy, operable windows for natural ventilation on warmer days, a feature atrium for waste heat extraction, and 1300 tonnes of soil on the roof to attract nature back into the city while protecting against the risk of flash flooding, all make this one of the most sustainable real estate developments to take shape in London in recent years, and there has been no shortage of them due to the increasingly strict planning regulations coming into place via the Mayor’s office.
That rooftop will accommodate a restaurant, landscaping by Harris Bugg, an estimated 10,000 plants and a passive water capture system for irrigation on-site reducing the building’s water demands.
This is an example of how to enhance well being in office buildings through a combination of natural light, natural landscapes and green walls as key biophilic design principles.
CapitaSpring, Singapore - biophilic architecture in mixed-use real estate
CapitaSpring office building
Combine BIG Architects, a ‘city in a garden location’ and the backing of a giant developer and out comes this 51-floor, 280m high building of Grade A office space, serviced apartments and a four-story garden dubbed the ‘green oasis’.
Transforming the site of a former car park complex built in the 1980s this new example of biophilic design in architecture aims for icon status with its eye-catching exterior facade complete with vertical elements that appear to be prized apart to reveal flashes of nature emerging through the cracks, at a giant scale.
This interplay between building and nature is more common at an interiors scale but doing it here takes the concept in a completely new direction.
This is also, as we would expect, a ‘smart building’ full of IOT tech and sensors to facilitate customization of the building occupant experience.
Eight floors of serviced residences with a long list of lifestyle amenities such as a mini indoor jogging track, pool, gym, residents lounge and BBQ pits are topped by offices and the open-air garden space large enough for work breaks, lunchtime walks and more.
Natural features such as biophilic design in the interior environment, show how the developer, architects and interior designers have integrated natural systems and organic materials, natural forms and consideration for mental health, creating a seamless connection with natural environments.
To create spaces like this in modern society takes a bold vision of the health benefits of introducing an element of natural habitat back into dense urban areas.
hongkong land's yorkville the ring - botanical architecture in real estate
hong kong land’s yorkville the ring
Located in Chongqing, China this 420,000m2 mixed-use retail-led development called Yorkville - The Ring is split between 170,000m2 of retail mall, 110,000m2 of offices and… wait for it, 70,000m2 of indoor botanical garden.
PHA Architects are behind the masterplan and design of this new lifestyle destination that has an enclosed landscaped commercial street embraced by two office towers.
This opens up the possibility of visual dialogue between the verdant, stepped terrace balconies of the towers above and the indoor botanical garden space.
In an attempt to blend a highly urban retail concept with a nature-centric, or biophilic design approach, the retail circulation spaces have been interwoven with the indoor botanical garden at various levels, inviting visitors to engage with the botanical experience as they navigate from one retail store to another, incorporating natural elements into the built environment.
Parametric modeling of the building facade allowed for a modular design, combining curved ceramic tiles with aluminium panels and LED lighting for an understated yet elegant aesthetic perfectly pitched for the expectations of both the local clientele and the all-important retail brand tenants.
Biophilic design principles such as respect for the natural environment in the interior space as well as natural ventilation, a strong visual connection with the natural world in respect of human evolution, even natural geometries evoking nature. There is so much goodness for human health in this building!
NION by Unstudio Frankfurt am Main - biophilic design in real estate
Unstudio NION office building
Designed with the deliberate intention to become one of Frankfurt’s if not Germany’s most sustainable office building, NION is located in the city’s Europaviertel West district where big things are happening in urban regeneration over the past two decades.
Unstudio have integrated ESG criteria and resource-efficient tech to deliver a sustainable building that considers its environmental impact as well as a social angle via the wellbeing of its regular occupants and of the community around it.
Abundant landscaping is nothing new nowadays in real estate developments such as this yet when combined with a low-carbon, modular and circular economy principles it takes on renewed meaning, becoming almost like the external signal of what is going on inside the building’s facade and daily operational energy use.
A green wall is one such biophilic design intervention that can be implemented to improve views and connect people with the natural environment within a built space.
When biophilia and greenery are purely superficial, this chain link falls apart; for us it a fundamental component of a biophilic design concept to combine elements of sustainability and wellbeing as in this example.
The planting serves to encourage biodiversity, contributing to an emerging urban green corridor in the district and giving insects, birds and wildlife an opportunity to return to this corner of the city.
Rainwater management systems improve water efficiency, geothermal heating and cooling reduce energy demands, smart building management ensure daily operations are fine tuned with the demand-based air conditioning (especially relevant now in the post-Covid, remote work era when areas of an office may be in greater or lesser demand at certain days or times of day).
Biophilic design focuses on well being for occupants while respecting the environment, so often there is a need for landscape architects to create multi sensory interactions via water features, naturalistic shapes, organic forms in the landscaping and so on.
Here we see a material connection between the indoor and outdoor environment by the seamless integration of biophilic principles thanks to the vision of UN Studio.
Holbein Gardens, London - biophilia in real estate
Sitting prime real estate near London’s Sloane Square station this 26,524 sq ft development by Grosvenor Property UK and Barr Gazetas architects dials in the sustainable building credentials to create what will be a highly efficient, low-emission building set to be Net Zero by 2025.
Holbein Gardens by Grosvenor Property UK
Sitting prime real estate near London’s Sloane Square station this 26,524 sq ft development by Grosvenor Property UK and Barr Gazetas architects dials in the sustainable building credentials to create what will be a highly efficient, low-emission building set to be Net Zero by 2025.
Barr Gazetas retained the existing structure rather than opting for demolition (equivalent to 59 tonnes of concrete / a 39% embodied carbon saving), reusing 13.5 tonnes of steelworks to reduce embodied carbon emissions, used a CLT structure, used reclaimed brickwork with lime based mortar for improved disassembly (Circular Economy principle). In total, 99.95% of all strip out waste was successfully diverted from landfill.
This all-electric, eight-story block powered by 100% renewable energy procured from the UK grid combined with photovoltaic panels on the roof generating around 17% of the projected maximum demand. As such, it is scheduled to save 50% operational energy consumption compared to benchmarks in the London, according to the developer.
Improved fenestration allows for enhanced access to natural daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting at certain times of day.
Rainwater capture and reuse on the rooftop reduces water demand while a 714 sq ft communal roof garden with outdoor kitchen provides both biodiversity opportunities (135% net biodiversity gain) and access to biophilia for building occupants during their work days. That is in addition to the four green walls on the exterior facade.
Active travel features include 79 cycle spaces, 68 lockers and nine showers for those using active transportation methods to get to or from work each day.
Such passive strategies have obvious psychological benefits while also ensuring some ecological attachment at the start and end of a work day for example.
Cognitive function is enhanced via a connection to nature which can be both through direct experience and representations of nature, public spaces with potted plants, natural colours and local timber, outdoor areas with biomorphic forms in the garden design, if all urban environments looked like Holbein Gardens we have no doubt the foot traffic would explode as we all have this inherent need for a strong connection to nature.
A total of four different green building certifications are targeted, namely: BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Enabled, Nabers 4.5 and EPC A rating.
Wellness Residence: How Do Branded Wellness Residences Promote Mental and Physical Health of Residents? — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
Blue Zones Center wellness residences
In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and anxiety are part of our everyday lives, maintaining good health and well-being has become a top priority. Branded wellness residences have emerged as a popular trend in the real estate industry, offering a holistic approach to healthy living.
The local area plays a crucial role in providing opportunities for activities and culinary experiences that contribute to wellness.
These residences are designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness, providing guests and residents access to state-of-the-art fitness facilities, healthy dining options, and wellness programs. But, how do these branded wellness residences actually improve health and longevity for their residents?
In this article, we will explore the many different techniques, from biophilic design, to wellness interiors, holistic health, biohacking and nutrition.
So, let’s dive in and explore the world of branded wellness residences and how they can help you lead a healthier and happier life.
The projects we review below are:
The Well, USA
Lefay Dolomiti, Italy
SHA Residences, Mexico
Lifetime Living, USA
Velvaere, USA
Legacy Residences, USA
What is wellness real estate?
Wellness real estate is a relatively new concept that is gaining popularity in the real estate industry. It refers to living spaces that are designed and built with the goal of enhancing the overall wellbeing of their occupants, this can apply equally to new and existing buildings. These spaces can also be marketed as wellness residences, offering the comforts of an apartment or suite within a hotel setting, with a variety of room options suitable for families and those seeking a relaxing holiday.
Wellness residences often come equipped with modern amenities such as satellite TV for the comfort and entertainment of residents.
The concept of wellness real estate is based on the idea that our living spaces can play a significant role in promoting and maintaining our physical, mental, and emotional health.
Wellness real estate is not just about having access to a gym or a swimming pool. It involves a holistic approach to health and well being that takes into account factors such as air quality, lighting, noise levels, and access to natural spaces. The interior design of wellness real estate is focused on creating a space that promotes relaxation, stress relief, and mindfulness. Materials used in the construction of these spaces are chosen for their health benefits, such as low-emission paints and natural flooring materials.
The benefits of wellness real estate are numerous. Studies have shown that living in a space that is designed with wellbeing in mind can lead to improved sleep, reduced stress levels, and increased productivity. The focus on natural light, fresh air, and access to green spaces can also contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
As the demand for wellness real estate continues to grow, developers are increasingly incorporating these features into their designs. The trend towards wellness real estate is also driving innovation in the industry, with new technologies and materials being developed to enhance the wellbeing of occupants.
In conclusion, wellness real estate is a concept that is focused on creating living spaces that promote wellbeing. It takes into account factors such as interior design, air quality, and access to natural spaces to create a holistic living experience. With its numerous benefits, wellness real estate is likely to continue to grow in popularity as people increasingly prioritize their health and wellbeing.
What is the role of a wellness real estate consultant?
A wellness real estate or healthy building consultant is an expert who specializes in designing, developing, and managing properties that prioritize the health and wellbeing of their occupants. Their primary role is to ensure that the property is designed in a way that promotes healthy living, both mental and physical health, to enhance the overall quality of life of residents.
The consultant works closely with the architects and interior designers to create spaces that are conducive to wellness. They take into consideration several factors, such as air quality, lighting, acoustics, and ergonomics, to ensure that the occupants are comfortable and healthy. Friendly staff also play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for guests. They also focus on the use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, that are known to have a positive impact on wellbeing.
In addition to the design aspect, a wellness real estate or healthy building consultant also plays a crucial role in the selection of building materials and equipment. They ensure that the materials used are eco-friendly and do not emit harmful chemicals that can affect the health of the occupants. They also recommend equipment and appliances that are energy-efficient and promote sustainable living.
Overall, the role of a wellness real estate or healthy building consultant is to create a space that promotes the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the occupants. Their expertise in interior design, building materials, and equipment selection allows them to create a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also promotes healthy living. With the increasing demand for wellness real estate, the role of a wellness real estate or healthy building consultant has become more important than ever.
Occasionally, this can also involve aligning a project with the WELL standard (see below) and potentially assisting with the certification process if, for example, the project is targeting the WELL Health Safety Rating, or WELL Gold Certification, or WELL Platinum Certification to truly advance human health benefits.
What is the WELL certification by the international well building institute?
The WELL certification is a prestigious recognition awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) to buildings and spaces that prioritize the health and well-being of their occupants. The WELL certification is a comprehensive and evidence-based system that evaluates key factors related to wellness real estate, including air and water quality, lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, and ergonomics. It also considers the promotion of physical activity, healthy eating habits, and mental and emotional wellbeing.
The WELL certification is a game-changer in the world of interior design and architecture, as it shifts the focus from aesthetics and functionality to the impact that the built environment has on human health and happiness. The certification process involves a thorough assessment of the building's design, construction, and operation, as well as ongoing performance monitoring and improvement. The IWBI provides a framework of best practices and guidelines to help developers, architects, designers, and building owners create spaces that support optimal wellbeing.
WELL certification has become increasingly relevant in the post-pandemic era, as people have become more aware of the importance of healthy living and the impact of the built environment on their physical and mental health. The certification also aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and socially responsible real estate, as it promotes environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and social equity.
The Well, USA - wellness real estate residences
the well, usa wellness residences
the well, usa wellness residences
The residences in The Well are designed as a wellness experience on their own, offering a space of over 2,045 sqm (22,000 sqft) and 54 bespoke condominiums where one can easily relax. Understanding well-being as a holistic practice, The Well addresses the physical, mental and spiritual health of their residents both with their interior design and services offered.
With a choice of one to four bedrooms, each condominium is designed using numerous biophilic building strategies as connecting with nature is an essential feature in The Well. The interior spaces offer high ceilings, open floor plan designs and floor-to-ceiling windows creating a sense of spaciousness. The openness of the space enhances the airflow, supported by air purification systems, aromatherapy diffusers and plants help maintain an improved air quality
The Well combines ancient philosophies with modern practices in its design but also in their services. It is this integration of ancient healing and modern medicine that allows the health professionals of The Well to focus on whole-person care. Still, the services offered to the residents are in harmony with their well-being strategies as they focus on maintaining an organic, toxin-free environment through their cleaning, cooking and maintenance.
Lefay Dolomiti, Italy wellness residences with outdoor pool
lefay dolomiti italy wellness residences
Lefay Dolomiti offers 88 suites and 23 apartments in the exceptional natural environment of the Dolomites. With the aim to provide complete mental and physical well-being, this five-star resort combines bio-architecture strategies with a wide range of wellness services. The hotel’s amenities include an outdoor pool, which adds to the relaxing atmosphere and makes it a great place to stay for families and friends.
Lefay Dolomiti is an ideal destination for a winter holiday, offering various winter activities in the Dolomites.
The architecture of the building combines the essential lines of traditional Italian architecture with materials such as local wood and stone to create a harmonious relationship with its surroundings. Harmony is a key feature in Lefay as the 5,000 sqm (54,000 sqft) of spa, fitness and treatment facilities focus on body and mind harmony by blending Classical Chinese Medicine with Western scientific research.
Being designed with sustainability in mind, Lefay has been awarded the Clima Hotel certification as it uses renewable energy sources and provides an energy-efficient space by highly insulating all surfaces. However, the brand’s sustainable philosophy goes beyond its architecture and is consistent throughout its offerings as well; from their cooking to their offer of paperless magazines and newspapers.
SHA healthy family residences, Mexico
Understanding health as a complete state of harmony with ourselves and our environment, SHA has reinvented the concept of branded wellness residents and now aims to offer a transformative experience for residents with its first property in Mexico.
With a complex of 32,000 sqm (2,344 sqft), 100 suites and 31 private residences, the SHA takes advantage of its idyllic natural environment and opts for a biophilic design concept.
The organic yet contemporary architecture harmoniously blends with the unique natural landmarks and creates an indoor-outdoor flow.
With a choice of two to four bedrooms, the interior design of the residences integrates a variety of natural materials and enhances the connection to the natural cycles by using home automation systems based on the circadian rhythms.
The innovative approach to health offered by the SHA blends a healthy lifestyle with their unique integrative method which combines the latest advances in Western medicine with natural therapies.
Still, the responsible actions of the SHA go beyond the user’s well-being and having obtained the Green Globe certificate, expand to a sustainable commitment where the planet and social progress are prioritised.
Guests booking their stay can also take advantage of special offers available for a holiday in Trentino.
Learn more about SHA
Life Time Living, USA - wellbeing community residences with relaxation area
life time living wellness community residences, usa
Life Time Living offers different residential complexes in the US with 148 to 390 residences and up to 18,600 sqm (200,000 sqft). Each one of these residential complexes is conceived as a living space that promotes a healthy balance between hard work and self-care. They also provide activities and amenities tailored specifically for families with children, ensuring a family-friendly environment.
The private residences, with a choice of one or two bedrooms, are sophisticated yet comfortable living spaces designed using biophilic strategies. The natural balance achieved by monitoring air and light quality protects the occupants’ mental health, supports their sleep and helps improve their performance.
While the interior spaces offer an environment designed to boost the well-being of its occupants, Life Time Living understands that complete well-being can only be achieved by pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, they offer their residents access to real food options, in-home consultation with wellness professionals, as well as an invitation to their resort-like athletic country club.
velvaere park city, usa
Velvaere Park City, USA - wellbeing community residences
A 60-acre community focused on connecting its residents to nature as a means to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Velvaere’s privileged location provides the necessary facilities to pursue the right activities and choices to maintain a holistic sense of well-being characterised by good physical and mental health.
This wellness residential development is equipped to accommodate family life comfortably. The 115 residential units offer a choice of three to five bedrooms distributed in different types of dwellings such as houses, residences and cabins.
Every residential unit is designed under the standards of the WELL certification, offering a healthy building that protects the health of its occupants. An advanced circadian rhythm lighting is installed to positively impact both the mood and sleep patterns of the occupants. Additionally, air quality monitoring or water filtration systems are installed to reduce damaging pollutants and health hazards indoors. The well-being facilities also include a relaxation area for guests to indulge and relax.
Surrounded by a year-round mountain resort, Velvaere park encourages physical activity as it has direct access to numerous outdoor physical activities. Though it offers a unique wellness centre as well; where different treatments, therapies and activities are designed to awaken the senses and find peace of mind, body, and soul. The offering in Velvaere intends to improve the well-being impact human health of the residents as individuals as well as a community.
legacy wellness residences, usa
Legacy Residences, USA luxury wellness homes
Legacy Miami is a 12,000 sqm (120,000 sqft) luxurious family residence hotel offering unique medical and wellness services. Gaia Wellness Residence Hotel combines hotel comforts with the freedom of a residence, making it ideal for families seeking sport and relaxation amenities.
These luxurious residences are designed to accommodate a practical, yet refined, lifestyle that takes place in a mixed-used building with 39 stories and 278 residences. Each living space is designed up to luxury standards, offering state-of-the-art digital resources.
The residences by themselves contribute to the user’s well-being by integrating ergonomics into built environment through the fully-furnished design and abundance of natural lighting through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
While Legacy Residences offers a well-being improvement program with spa and fitness facilities, it stands out for its medical and wellness centre. Equipped with the latest technologies, this centre grants access to the best practitioners and offers an extensive range of medical services such as diagnosis and surgical procedures.
Biophilic Homes: Residential Real Estate Developments with Biophilic Design Nature — Wellness Design Consultants
Biophilic design introduces nature back into real estate developments so where better to do so than in urban residential settings. The Biofilico team review some of the latest residential projects leveraging this biophilic design concept for its health benefits, sustainability, wellbeing and biodiversity. We look at Chelsea Botanica in London; Trudo vertical forest in Eindhoven; The Fynbos in Cape Town; Waterfall by Crown Group in Sydney and Park Nova in Singapore.
As real estate consultants specialising in wellbeing and sustainability, we see an increasing presence of biophilic design principles in Residential real estate developments due to the wellness benefits of biophilia (a connection with nature)
Below we review some of our favorite examples of the moment from Italy to Australia, the UK, South Africa and of course Singapore! Biophilic design focuses on integrating natural elements into indoor environments to enhance well-being, health, and productivity.
We look at Chelsea Botanica in London; Trudo vertical forest in Eindhoven; The Fynbos in Cape Town; Waterfall by Crown Group in Sydney and Park Nova in Singapore.
Chelsea Botanica, London - biophilic garden residences
Developer Mount Anvil is putting their weight behind nature-centric residential real estate developments within striking distance of central London, a powerful combination in post-pandemic Britain in our view.
The finest examples of biophilic design in architecture and interiors combine elements of both sustainable green buildings and healthy building interior concepts.
n this instance, the development marketing content for Chelsea Botanica is currently a little light on detail of its sustainability credentials but we do know that there are energy efficiency measures in place, rooftop solar panels and air source heat pumps as well as electric car charging points.
Where Chelsea Botanica really stands out though is in its adoption of biodiversity as a Unique Selling Point. Landscaped gardens have been designed in collaboration with experts from nearby Key Gardens’, incorporating over 70 different plants species to attract insects and wildlife back into the city.
Due for completion in 2025, the 133 residences range in format from studios to 3-beds. A range of lifestyle amenities are on offer such as a 24-hour concierge, co-working areas, meeting spaces, a residents lounge as well as a fitness area with Peloton bikes and virtual trainer screens combined with outdoor yoga decks.
Outdoor work pods in the residential gardens have access to WiFi and power points while a variety of verdant social areas and communal spaces encourage regular interaction with the on-site biophilia.
Interior design continues to the nature-inspired concept with plenty of daylight, natural material like timber, a soothing palette of earthy tones with highlights of brash and onyx.
Trudo Vertical Forest, netherlands - biophilic real estate
One of the foremost proponents of reintroducing biodiversity into our city centres, Stefano Boeri Architects are behind the Trudo Vertical Forest social housing project completed in 2021 in Eindhoven. The tower houses low-cost rental apartments that come loaded with a generous helping of biophilic design.
As such this project responded to two great challenges facing urban real estate development today - that of reducing environmental impact whilst also addressing the housing shortage.
Dutch electronics firm Philips has a dominant role in the real estate market in this location and they have played a key role in promoting the development of a new creative zone in this part of the city.
Boeri’s tower is intended to help enhance biodiversity thanks to more than 70 species of plant serving to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as well as micro-particles such as PM2.5 to improve air quality. As such the plants here have an important, functional role to play rather than being purely decorative. The presence of plants and natural elements can contribute to lowered blood pressure and reduced stress, enhancing overall well-being.
Spread over 19 floors with 125 units of social housing each of less than 50m2 that benefit from an outdoor terrace of around 4m2 and the micro-climate the planting helps to create. In total there are over 135 trees of a variety of different species, to which were added a further 8500 smaller plants, making this a true behemoth of a biophilic building!
These green facades help to decrease the urban heat island effect while rainwater is collected and stored in four 20,000 litre tanks under the building for irrigation purposes.
https://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/en/project/trudo-vertical-forest/
The Fynbos, Cape Town - biophilic lifestyle residences
digital render by developer
Swiss investment firm Lurra Capital is behind The Fynbos in Cape Town, a 689-unit residential development made up of 24 floors that integrate biophilic design inspired by the local flora (‘fynbos’).
Development architecture is by 2802 Architects, interiors are by MAKE and landscape architecture by Urban Choreography.
An outdoors lifestyle in South Africa is part of the package yet this is essentially a city-centre development in Cape Town, meaning the developer decided to double down on amenities such as a rooftop lap pool, indoor-outdoor co-working area, a rooftop fitness centre and ground-floor retail set to feature a plant-based restaurant and a botanical bar.
Units range from 24m2 studios up to 82m2 in size with 2-bedrooms, meaning this is targeting a young professional buyer with an appreciation for nature and ecology.
Exterior planting is the star of the show here, with the integrated planters providing a slice of garden for each residence, using 30 different species of trees, shrubs and plants layed out on a vertical plan, inspired by the example of nearby Table Mountain.
digital render by developer
The Fynbos is pursuing Green Star Certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa and will make use of renewable energy from its own solar panels, water efficiency via rainwater harvesting on the balconies combined with low-flow fittings. The vegetation itself plays a role as a shade structure, noise barrier and a degree of climate control in summer.
Waterfall by Crown Group, Australia - biophilic architecture and residential interiors
The Waterfall by Crown Group is a prime example of biophilic architecture and residential interiors in Australia. This luxurious residential complex features a stunning waterfall that flows into a serene pond, creating a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. The building’s design incorporates natural materials, such as stone and wood, and maximizes natural light to create a sense of connection with the outdoors. The interior design features biophilic elements, such as living walls and green roofs, to further enhance the sense of well-being and connection to nature.
Australian developer Crown Group are behind the Waterfall four building complex in Waterloo, Sydney made up of three 8-story towers connected by open-air bridges and a fourth 21-story tower that house a total of 331 residential units.
Designed by local architect studio SJB, the resort-style amenities include a rooftop swimming pool, spa and lounge with outdoor cinema as well as a cantilevered residents gym with a state-of-the-art equipment set-up. The swimming pool not only serves as a focal point but also promotes relaxation and well-being, enhancing the natural connections within the space.
Visually, this development stands out for its giant vertical garden walls and what they claim to be the tallest man-made waterfall in the southern hemisphere, both impactful ways to bring the outside world in by integrating an element of nature into the residential experience.
Open-plan apartment layouts and floor to ceiling windows prioritize natural light, combined with natural materials for a calming aesthetic.
Units range from studios through to 3-bedrooms and penthouses.
Park Nova, Singapore - luxury biophilic vertical gardens in the city
Powerhouse Chinese real estate developer Shun Tak Holdings are behind this freehold 54-unit luxury residence development in Singapore offering contemporary homes in a 22-story tower covered in a green facade of landscaped terraces.
Due for completion in 2024, the various units range from 2-beds up to 4-bed units of almost 3,000sq ft.
Architect studio PLP Architecture are behind the design scheme, they are known for their focus on implementing green building principles for sustainability in real estate, as shown in previous projects such as The Edge in Amsterdam and 22 Bishopsgate in London.
Amenities include a 25m lap pool, pool deck, kids play area and outdoor lounge combined with aggressive pricing make this an ultra-luxury residential development targeting High Net Worth investors with demanding expectations of their residential lifestyle experience.
The design of the dining room enhances the overall flow of the home by connecting to outdoor living areas and promoting natural light and ventilation.
Expert Insights
Biophilic design consultants play a crucial role in creating spaces that promote well-being and connection to nature. They work with architects, interior designers, and builders to incorporate biophilic design principles into the built environment. By incorporating natural elements, such as natural light, ventilation, and water features, biophilic design consultants can create spaces that improve occupant health, productivity, and happiness.
Role of Biophilic Design Consultants
Biophilic design consultants are responsible for assessing the site and building conditions to determine the best opportunities for incorporating biophilic design elements. They work with the design team to select materials, finishes, and systems that promote a connection to nature and improve occupant well-being. Biophilic design consultants also provide guidance on how to maintain and operate the biophilic design elements to ensure their effectiveness and longevity.
Sustainability and Environmental Benefits
Biophilic design is not only beneficial for human health and well-being, but it also has numerous sustainability and environmental benefits. By incorporating natural elements and materials, biophilic design can reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and promote biodiversity.
Reducing Energy Consumption
Biophilic design can reduce energy consumption by incorporating natural light and ventilation into the building design. This can reduce the need for artificial lighting and heating and cooling systems, resulting in significant energy savings. Additionally, biophilic design can incorporate sustainable materials and systems, such as green roofs and rainwater harvesting, to further reduce energy consumption and promote environmental sustainability.
Here is How To Incorporate Biophilic Design Into Your Home
Incorporating biophilic design into your home is a great way to create a connection with nature and promote well-being.
Add Natural Art Pieces
Introducing nature-inspired artwork, like landscape paintings or botanical prints, can bring a calming influence and visual connection to the outdoors.
Integrate Water Elements
The sound of flowing water, through indoor fountains or water features, enhances tranquillity and mimics natural environments.
Organic Forms in Furniture
Use furniture that embraces natural shapes, like rounded edges or flowing forms, to reflect the curves found in nature.
Incorporate Low-Maintenance Plants
Select fast-growing, low-maintenance plants like succulents or ferns to bring greenery into your home. Plants not only purify the air but also enhance the biophilic effect by inviting nature indoors effortlessly.
Build a biophilic wall unit
Of course the plants play an important part. And yet, biophilic design is more important than that,” says DIYer Melanie Boyden. She has used shelving from IKEA Billy Bookcases which adds to the room's natural curving lines. Furniture usually follows straight lines and may feel cold. “Curves help reduce noise and create more connectedness to nature, and make the space feel cozier,” he adds.
Incorporating biophilic design principles into urban environments can have a significant impact on reducing energy consumption and promoting environmental sustainability. By incorporating natural elements and materials, biophilic design can reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and promote biodiversity. This can result in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly built environment that promotes human health and well-being.
best examples of biophilic design in residential interiors
As biophilic design consultants, we sometimes find inspiration in residential real estate projects that do not necessarily use the language of biophilia but rather leverage a connection with nature and organic design to create uplifting indoor spaces. Here we review a series of residential developments and refurbishments that do exactly that.
O Lofos Villa by Blok 722, Greece
organic interior design example
Built on the foothills of Thrypti mountain on the Greek island of Crete lies a hidden villa built with respect to its surroundings.
It is a 280m2 private residence on a sloping terrain. Instead of stairs to balance the natural elevation, a series of levels were created to allow ease of movement physically and visually throughout the space.
When creating this design, the architects pulled from a variety of structural backgrounds combining aspects of vistas from mountains, plains, and the Mediterranean Sea.
This allows it to fit cohesively within its natural setting. The vista has plentiful outdoor areas to promote healthy living.
With the site broken down into multiple smaller segments, movement through nature is encouraged in-between spaces, many of which are outdoors. The main division of the building is linked by a semi enclosed feature where the sounds of giggling water can be heard from a large water feature.
The materials used with the natural villa are largely wood and stone which bring the natural elements of biophilic interior design within its walls.
Painted with a palette of warm greys and beiges, neutral, earthy colors dominate the space. The villa was created with a desire for slow living. Its layout, structure, and divide was created to enhance the lifestyle of its occupants to promote healthy living.
Landmark Pinnacle, London, UK
example biophilic design indoor garden
Rising up above the London skyline as the city’s tallest residential tower, the Landmark Pinnacle was completed in 2022 by architects and interior designers Squire & Partners for developer Chalegrove Properties and Farrer Huxley Associates (FHA) Landscape Architects.
This residential complex has views westward of the River Thames and eastward of the docks of the Thames Barrier. These natural vistas are complemented with an earthy, soothing interior palette of blues, beiges, tans, whites and browns.
Biophilic elements of design such as potted plants, dried flowers and stones ornament the building tying it back to the natural environment. Taking a step further into nature, a floor is dedicated to pulling its occupants out of the cityscape.
Residing on the 27th floor of the building, a residential tropical garden brings the outside world in with a carefully curated collection of plants and indoor trees, the space is perfect for watching the sun rise or set as natural light shoots through the open elaborate floor of plants.
There are spaces for lounging and for relaxation. This encourages the residents to escape the intensity of nearby Canary Wharf in order to appreciate their own private slice of nature high up in the sky.
Pantheon Estate, Mykonos by Nikos Adrianopoulos
example organic interiors
A renovation by architect Nikos Adrianopoulos of a residence in Mykonos, Greece, transformed an existing villa into a luxury abode with subtle influences from both organic interior design and nature-inspired biophilic design.
Built upon a cliff, the villa has impressive views of the old city harbor and the Aegean Sea. Essential to its design process was the unification of internal and external space. Large outdoor areas accompany the indoors encouraging movement from each space.
The outdoor areas have natural views of the landscape from a sky porch with no railings ensuring not to block the breathtaking views of the area. Accompanying this, biophilic design in the exteriors ensures a smooth transition between the building and its surrounding landscape. Curvilinear furniture such as chairs, large couches, and tables are placed purposefully, making use of premium fabrics, a minimalist colour palette and textured patterns.
The view from an organically shaped pool provides picture perfect views of the sea on the horizon while an outdoor gym provides a complete set of workout equipment such as a squat rack,weights and cardio machines. Stone walls, wooden floors, and a transparent plant-based ceiling that lets small slices of light into the gym's training floor.
Moving indoors, the interior design is a harmonious selection of neutral colors - tans, whites, browns, beiges, and blacks. Curvilinear architecture brings nature’s mark inside through arches and curved organically falling countertops.
Examples of biophilic interior design are present in the woven light fixtures, stone sinks, and stone tile. One of the key elements of design within the space was created from the bare rock that the structure was built upon through open rock walls. Bare rock walls are exposed within the sunroom and bathroom, among other spaces.
Painted white bare rock walls create a wonderful natural space within a shower and sauna. Bringing nature further within the walls quarters, wood beams expand across many of the villa ceilings. The space is adorned with artwork of driftwood and curvilinear, undefined sculpture work. This renovation transformed the space into an interconnected body with its natural environment.
https://www.nikosadrianopoulos.com/projects/pantheon-residence-mykonos
The Eden, Singapore
example of multi-family residential biophilic architecture
The Eden is a private residential building located in Singapore designed by Heatherwick Studio.
From its exterior facade the key principle of biophilic design in building architecture is hard to miss - a cascading central spine of flora created by a series of balcony gardens.
Each apartment is one floor of the building fitted with its own ‘eco-balcony’.
Clam shaped in structure, they each hold sufficient soil for over 20 different species of plant life to thrive in the humid Singaporean climate.
Each sky garden is alternated giving double the height to the outdoor space.
The garden above provides a necessary shade from the hot Singapore sun and a view of plant life hanging down from above. Walking out into these spaces is like walking into your own personal jungle.
Each apartment taking an entire floor also creates opportunities for natural cross ventilation, a low-energy and altogether more pleasant experience than 24/7 air conditioning, at least as an option should owners want it!
The entire ground floor is a heavily planted garden with nooks for relaxation. The pool is lined with an array of flora to one side. Walking into the lobby with 18 meter high ceilings, plant ‘chandeliers’ hang from above helping to decorate the room but creating moments of visual intrigue and wonder too.
Casa Cerros Madrid
example of single family residential biophilic architecture
Located in the hills of Madrid, the Casa Cerros estate was renovated into a. sustainable villa with subtle traces of biophilic design that uses compact space to its maximum potential.
Located in what can be a cool climate, the villa was constructed to amplify heat and sunlight.
With a narrow south facing facade, the team at sustainable architecture studio SLOW in Barcelona had to effectively use the space to pull in as much natural light as possible.
This was executed by lifting the roof creating room for the addition of skylights and additional openings to the south through biophilic design architecture.
Amplifying the introduction of light and solar heat into the south side of the building also affected the placement of rooms within the home.
On the lighter south facing side, the most used spaces were constructed including the living room, dining room, and kitchen.
Within the North facing side of the building, the bathrooms, office, and machine room are housed. Double brick walls with insulation in between allow for heat conservation while also allowing for open brick accent walls with texture of thickness and grooves.
The residents particularly requested a fireplace so a thermo stove was installed to further conserve heat. When the fireplace is running it heats the hot water tank and heating system.
The whole building is unified through a cabin like aesthetic with a large incorporation of wooden walls, ceiling, and furniture. The villa acts as a compact, warm, rustic yet nature-inspired space for a family to enjoy the comfort of home without losing contact with the environment around them.
https://www.slowstudio.es/arquitectura/casa-cerros-madrid
Biophilic Architects: Architecture Studios for Biophilic Design — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
our overview of the leading architecture studios for biophilic architecture that bring the outside world in, combining sustainability and wellbeing in real estate.CookFox, USA
GG Loop, Netherlands
Heatherwick Studio, UK
K Studio, Greece
Kengo Kuma & Associates, Japan
M Moser, China
our overview of the leading architecture studios for biophilic architecture that bring the outside world in, combining sustainability and wellbeing in real estate.
Batlleiroig, Spain
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Denmark
CookFox, USA
GG Loop, NL
Heatherwick Studio, UK
K Studio, Greece
Kengo Kuma & Associates, Japan
M Moser, China
Nomadic Resorts, SA & NL
Stefano Boeri Architetti, Italy
United Network Studio, Netherlands
Oficinas Lumen, Barcelona
Founded in 1981 by Enric Batlle and Joan Roig, the Barcelona-based architecture studio Batlleiroig is all about tackling the climate emergency through a synergistic fusion of city and nature in the built environment.
The practice combines urban planning, landscaping and architecture, with recent projects showing a clear tendency towards biophilic design, sustainable real estate and occupantwellbeing in particular, often through the lens of greater contact with nature.
With over 140 staff members, this is one of the most influential architecture studios in Barcelona, and indeed Spain. They caught our attention for their ambitious plans for the LaMercedes urban regeneration development by Conren Tramway as well as the Net Zero Emissions Entegra office building, both in our home city of Barcelona.
Going beyond merely ‘sustainable’, Batlleiroig design buildings and indeed precincts that incorporate natural elements and have a deep respect for the advantages of using nature in real estate, be that through materials, plants, aesthetics or environmental protection measures. They emphasize the use of natural materials like wood, bamboo, and stone, all of which adds up to a lightness of touch and an undeniable ‘joie de vivre’ in many of their projects.
Bjarke Ingels Group, Denmark - starchitects and biophilic designers
BIG hardly need any introduction nowadays thanks to their attention-grabbing, headline-worthy approach to architecture. Their recent completion in Singapore, the 280m tall biophilic CapitaSpring tower (see image above) that proposes a new type of vertical urbanism, is just one of countless such examples.
The studio completed its first hotel project in September 2022, the Hôtel des Horlogers for Audemars Piguet in the Swiss Vallée de Joux, the design here blurs the boundaries between the surrounding landscape and the contours of the building, creating spaces that seamlessly integrate the indoors and outdoors, a nod to biophilic architecture if ever there was one.
Their 49,000m2 Sluishuis project outskirts of Amsterdam, has been billed as a ‘floating’ neighborhood with public roofscapes and riverwalks that offers a residential vision of life over water, a form of ‘blue nature’ (as opposed to ‘green nature’ in forests and parks)
CookFox StJohn’s Terminal, Google building
CookFox, USA - nature inspired architecture
CookFox are a giant in the world of “integrated, environmentally responsive architecture” as they call it. They are also world-class biophilic architects, leading the way in integrating biophilia into residences and workplaces.
From their base in New York they leverage two decades of experience and a 130+ strong workforce to deliver projects that aim to “elevate the human condition and urban environment through beautiful, innovative, and sustainable design”.
Calling cards include the 2.2 million sq ft One Bryant Park tower, the first skyscraper in the world to achieve platinum LEED certification, and the forthcoming 1.3 million sq ft Google office tower in Manhattan called the St. John’s Tower.
As a studio, they have also made a name for themselves designing offices for healthy building powerhouses such as the International WELL Building Institute headquarters and Skanska headquarters, both in New York.
GG Loop, Netherlands - creative biophilic designers
The architectural and design firm, GG-loop, is a biophilic design inspired creative team in the Netherlands. The team of about 20 has been together since the beginning of the practice in 2014 and rally around the cause of architecture deepening the connection between people and nature through biophilic design.
Recent large-scale projects include Echinoidea, a pavilion in Milan, and Freebooter, a residential development in Amsterdam.
The studio's vision is to raise awareness on the importance of biophilic architecture to both professionals and the general public to fight the current climate condition.
Heatherwick Studio, UK - biophilic design experts in London
Thomas Heatherwick’s eponymous studio is an architectural design practice and workshop in London, UK.
Their key concepts are improving lives through the built environment, especially through slow living and a connection with nature in urban environments thanks to biophilic design.
The team of over 200 have a strong stance on sustainability, the integration of nature, and a sprinkle of magic dust aimed at sparking a reaction of delight.
Recent large scale projects include 1000 Trees in Shanghai, China and the Eden in Singapore as well as collaborations with Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) on the Google Campus in London.
K Studio, Greece - designers working with biophilia
Based in Central Athens, the K Studio is a practice of 60+ designers that has evolved a unique, nature-infused aesthetic that fits neatly into the category of biophilic design, without being defined or limited by it in any way.
From the bohemian chic of Scorpios on Mykonos island (see pic above) to more minimalist villas, and the Casa Cook resort properties around Greece, their range is impressive for a modestly sized studio.
Greek culture and a sense of place remain a constant in their architectural and design output, meaning they dial up materiality, keeping things pure and elemental whenever possible, yet always with a touch of nature.
Recent large-scale projects include the Marina Kaplankaya and the refurbishment of the Mykonos airport, suggesting they are on their way to becoming one of the country’s leading design studios with a bright future ahead.
Kengo Kuma architects, Japan - one of the world’s leading biophilic architects
Kengo Kuma & Architects (KKAA) have offices in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Paris. With over 170 staff and over 360 projects completed, today they are one of the most significant modern architects not just in Japan but on the global design stage.
The team explores the relationship between buildings, nature, humans and technology, and incorporates natural elements into their designs. This approach, combined with a strong emotional component and undeniable influences from Japan, aims to provoke a serene, harmonious state of mind in occupants and visitors.
Projects are currently underway in a plethora of different countries covering use categories as diverse as museums, restaurants, offices, education, exhibitions, residential, factories and hospitals. A few highlights include the biophilic mixed-use development Welcome Milano in Milan, Italy (shown above).
M Moser & Associates, China - biophilic office design experts
M Moser & Associates is a global firm with over 1000 employees, they are workplace design specialists and maintain a number of ‘Living Labs’ where they experiment with new design solutions before introducing them into their projects for clients.
The team have a strong stance on sustainability, meaning they combine biophilic design in their architecture and interiors as a way to promote occupant wellbeing whilst also keeping one eye on reducing their impact in every way possible.
Recent projects of reference include Shui On WorkX, a biophilic office space in Shanghai, the Dyson Global HQ in Singapore, Nestle offices in Jakarta and the Diageo offices in Shanghai.
Nomadic Resorts, eco architects in South Africa, mauritius and Netherlands
Nomadic Resorts defy most conventions and definitions. They span across a range of disciplines, from masterplanning of entire nature-inspired resorts, to architectural design with biophilic influences, botanical landscape design and interiors.
Via offices in the Netherlands, South Africa and Mauritius they deliver projects with a sustainable edge, each inspired by their location, landscape and natural context.
Their expertise covers bamboo construction as well as treetop living, tented camps and avant-garde resort concepts that push the boundaries of how far sustainable resorts can push the concept of environmentally friendly hospitality. They are committed to sustainable development and fulfilling the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
By incorporating concepts such as low carbon engineering, regenerative landscaping and permaculture, they bridge the worlds of eco tourism, green building sustainable design. Their client list includes giants such as Six Senses Resorts and Spas; Soneva Group; Banyan Tree and &Beyond.
Stefano Boeri Architetti - designers of the bosco verticale vertical forest
Defining this architecture studio as the designers behind the Bosco Vertical vertical forest building in Milan, Italy is to put this multi-faceted team in a box that they outgrew many moons ago. In fact they are an international operation with offices in Milan, Shanghai and Tirana (Albania) from where they deliver research and practice in urbaism and architecture.
With over 20 years of experience, the infamous tower did at least help solidify their reputation as leading thinkers on urban sustainability and biodiversity, as well as social housing, urban development and regeneration projects.
Their multi-disciplinary approach engages with landscape architects, engineers, social scientists and agronomists showing that biophilic design can and should engage a wide variety of experts in order to succeed at scale in urban regeneration for example.
Present in the PRC since 2014 their office in Shanghai has delivered projects such as the renovation of the former Shanghai Stock Exchange and with the Nanjing Vertical Forest - the first Vertical Forest in China - current in construction.
Their Tirana office meanwhile is responsible for developing the General Local Plan and the strategic vision of the city, known as “Tirana 2030”.
Other assignments include the masterplan of Doha’s New Port and the development of the “triangle of Maspero”, a complex of towers and public facilities along the Nile waterfront, in downtown Cairo.
https://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/
UNStudio - architects and urbanists big on sustainability
With offices in Amsterdam, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Dubai and Melbourne totaling over 300 employees, UNStudio is now a full-service architecture and design powerhouse.
Founded in 1988 by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, they now deliver architecture, interior architecture, product design, urban development and infrastructural projects around the world.
UNStudio see themselves as having to anticipate the future, in particular in terms of sustainability and their environmental impact. They consider social and ecological sustainability upfront while aiming for what they call ‘attainable design’ - projects that are both financially and socially feasible. Their commitment to sustainable architecture is evident in their projects, which incorporate innovative design features and sustainable practices.
Major projects of note include the Erasmus Bridge, Arnhem Central Station, the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the Doha Metro Network, Raffles City Hangzhou and the Hanwha HQ Remodelling.
LEED Location and Transportation: Sustainable Buildings and Wellness Design Consultants
Early decisions such as the site selection and location, or implementing a local procurement strategy will have tangible emission impacts from Day One in a sustainable real estate development, as will integrating Active Travel facilities, providing green parking facilities and tracking commuter emissions in the operational phase. Read on for a sustainable building interiors consultant's summary.
Globally, transportation accounts for 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential sector in which to implement reductions. LEED certification, particularly the Location and Transportation category, provides a comprehensive approach to sustainable building design and operation, encouraging environmentally responsible practices and promoting healthier, more efficient buildings. As green building consultants, a number of strategies are available in this regard, all part of a sustainable real estate development or sustainable refurbishment project.
Early decisions such as the site selection and location, or implementing a local procurement strategy will have tangible emission impacts from Day One in a sustainable real estate development, as will integrating Active Travel facilities, providing green parking facilities and tracking commuter emissions in the operational phase.
As sustainable building consultants, below we address each of these points in turn in order to provide the reader with a concise overview of the role transportation plays in the green building sector.
Choosing a Sustainable Building Location with Sensitive Land Protection
Sustainable site selection is arguably the most important decision in relation to transportation emission reductions and indeed opportunities for active travel. It also involves protecting sensitive areas such as endangered species habitats.
Although this choice is often made very early in the real estate development process, whenever possible, consideration for transportation and connectivity should at least play a part in that decision making process from a sustainable building perspective. Additionally, avoiding development on prime farmland is crucial for preserving valuable agricultural resources. Selecting a high priority site can bring both economic and environmental benefits to the surrounding community.
As outlined in the USGBC’s LEED standard / Location & Transportation category, there are several characteristics to be considered. Reusing existing infrastructure is crucial in sustainable site selection as it minimizes the need for new infrastructure and reduces environmental strain.
Primarily, consider the surrounding density and prioritise locations with diverse uses nearby, such as food retail, community centers, and other services. Building on previously developed land can offer benefits like existing infrastructure and points within the LEED criteria.
This allows people spending time in the building to have access to a variety of services nearby, within walking distance to encourage active travel instead of car use, while reducing the need for longer distance car travel.
Secondly, ‘access to quality transit’ - locating the project in a high-density area, close to multi-modal transportation options such as train, bus and bike share stations. making commuter times shorter on average, and commonly increasing public transportation uptake.
Local Sourcing & Procurement in Sustainable Buildings
Another strategy that comes early in the design process is selecting healthy building materials, products, and or machinery from local, nearby sources. Promoting more compact development can conserve land and reduce transportation emissions.
From a real estate sustainability perspective, the key is to understand the supply chain transparency of the most prominent selected materials (such as steel and concrete for buildings; or flooring, ceiling panels and wall finishes in interiors), utilize low-emission vehicles in the delivery process, and plan timely construction deliveries.
Local sourcing greatly reduces transportation emissions and should be considered early on in materiality sourcing and procurement decisions.
Healthy and sustainable building materials should therefore be selected based on those within a low-carbon system and within a close radius of the project.
Low-carbon systems can include the whole life cycle of a material and all transportation steps— as well as the incorporation of low-carbon shipping options.
In addition, within the construction phase, the just-in-time delivery method can be used, meaning the materials arrive on site when needed, not before - this helps avoid the loss or damage of resources.
A reduction in excess material use and therefore less waste production, in turn reduces the number of transportation trips needed to get materials on and off site.
Commuter Emission Regulation in sustainable buildings
During the in-use phase of a sustainable building, commuter emissions are the largest contributor to building-related transportation emissions. Choosing a neighborhood development location can significantly reduce these emissions by promoting walkability and access to public transit. The main goal is to reduce the number of people traveling to and from the building individually in petrol / diesel powered vehicles.
This can be done through the use of public transport, carpooling, or the use of electric vehicles. Promoting walkability and transport efficiency within the surrounding community is also crucial. In order to regulate and eventually reduce commuter emissions, strategies such as commuter surveys and greenhouse gas tracking are essential steps.
Commuter surveys can be implemented to better understand how employees, residents, or other building users travel to and from the site. This is the first step to understanding the impact of transportation emissions and what the largest decision-making factors are for commuter travel.
This information on transportation related greenhouse gas emissions can not only provide valuable data for real estate ESG reporting but also help guide future building site adjustments to reduce transport emissions, such as parking changes or active travel incentives.
Active Travel and Bicycle Network in Sustainable Buildings
From the transportation side of active travel, it is directly connected to the location of the building site and its connectivity, as well as business culture. The sustainable sites category in LEED encourages such practices to promote environmental and public health benefits. Neighborhood development can promote walkability and sustainable land use practices. The general goal of active travel is to increase the health and fitness level of building occupants, but it can also have impacts on transportation emissions.
If the building is located nearby various amenities, commuters and building occupants can walk or bike if they would like to go to the grocery store or get a haircut, for example. This not only increases occupant health, but also reduces transportation related carbon emissions.
In addition, active travel can be fulfilled through commuting to the site by bike or foot. In addition to location, building sites can encourage active travel through the incorporation of bike storage facilities, bike maintenance programs, and showers on-site for commuters heading to work.
Finally, company or building-wide active travel incentives, such a company-wide bike to work month competition can increase active travel participation. The culture of a company can have a large impact on commuter patterns, and active travel should be encouraged socially whenever possible.
The USGBC LEED green building standard ‘Bicycle Facilities’ credit rewards projects that promote bicycle use through locating the site entrance within 180m of a bicycle network, as well as providing short- / long-term bicycle storage and shower rooms on site.
Reduced Parking Footprint in Sustainable Buildings
To help reduce commuter-related transportation emissions, parking can be adjusted on site. Sensitive land protection is crucial in responsible land use practices, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and ecological sites. Strategies can include limits on available parking, designated preferred parking spaces, and EV or alternative fueling stations installed on site.
Limiting parking overall will encourage different travel methods purely due to the inconvenience. In addition, parking that is available should contain designated spots for carpooling and green vehicles to further encourage reductions in commuter emissions.
In addition, parking lots should include EV charging stations to make the use of these vehicles more accessible. Also, when possible, alternative gas fueling stations can be installed on site to further discourage traditional, emission-heavy travel methods.
The Reduced Parking Footprint credit in USGBC LEED’s green building standard rewards real estate projects that deliberately limit their parking footprint, or eliminate it completely, to promote alternative transportation options. This integrates with the Electric Vehicle credit that rewards parking for EVs with dedicated charging stations.
Sustainability in Last Mile Logistics Real Estate
A review of sustainability in last mile logistics real esate by Biofilico consultants. We cover green building certifications, healthy building certifications, a benchmark case study, energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste efficiency, last mile transportation considerations and the sustainable credentials of a 'hub and spoke' distribution model.
What is Sustainability in Last Mile Logistics?
Last mile logistics refers to the last step in a delivery process, describing the process of sorting and transportation to the doorstep of the client from a nearby warehouse or storage facility.
This delivery process is in high demand post-pandemic due to the boom in e-commerce purchases during lockdowns, making this an ideal time to assess the opportunity for integrating sustainability policies and green building strategies into the sector as a whole.
Who delivers a sustainability strategy in last mile logistics?
The various businesses that invest in, construct, and operate the distribution centers as well as the transportation process are all key players in optimizing last mile logistics sustainability.
A business model that includes real estate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals not only upholds a company’s civic duty but also appeals to investors with a preference for sustainable investments.
Transportation is of course a central piece within last mile logistics, and therefore must be closely monitored and optimized to reduce carbon emissions associated with the process however sustainability policies at the construction, fit-out and operations level of these distribution and storage centers should also be factored into a comprehensive sustainability strategy - as we shall see, this can often require a degree of inter-company collaboration (see Prologis as an example of this).
environment in ESG in last mile logistics real estate
From a business model perspective, a real estate ESG strategy is essential to encourage sustainability throughout a last mile logistics enterprise. In addition, investors are often motivated when ESG is integrated into a company’s values and mission statement.
The environmental focus within a last mile logistics ESG strategy can include the storage and distribution centers as well as the transportation related environmental impacts.
Commonly, last mile delivery services make use of a hub and spoke model, referring to the warehouses and distribution centers as the hubs, and the last mile delivery as the spoke of this system.
Therefore, it essential to reduce resource use and emissions associated with the construction of these facilities upfront as well as the subsequent transportation process once operational.
Measurabl is a useful software tool that can help encourage data collection and organization within a company’s ESG strategy.
social in esg last mile logistics real estate
Social goals tend to be more universal across industry sectors as they focus on employee wellness, inclusivity, diversity, and social impact.
Within last mile logistics in particular, factors such as working hours and the optimization of driving routes should be considered to align company goals of fast deliveries to respectful working hours and employee wellness.
Online software tools such as the Brightest Platform are helpful for outlining and monitoring social performance goals within an organization.
governance in esg last mile logistics real estate
The governance element of an ESG strategy acts as the overarching management body for a company and focuses on increased transparency and integrity.
The documentation and reporting of ESG goals, associated company risks (including climate risks), data privacy, and codes of conduct will all be included in a governance plan.
To help with the organization and monitoring of governance related ESG goals, Workiva is a useful online tool.
Building-Level Sustainability in Last Mile Logistics
Although transportation is an essential sustainability consideration in the last mile logistic system (see below), the distribution facilities themselves should be designed to optimize carbon footprint early on.
Strategies such as intentional location choices, energy efficiency, water and waste reduction, and sustainable material use are all essential factors in a building’s carbon footprint; we address each of these in turn below.
Location in Last Mile Logistics Real Estate
The location of a distribution facility is one of the most important building factors and is also directly linked to transportation emissions - in this sense, the hub and spoke model has sustainability baked into it from the beginning as ‘spoke’ locations close to city centres help decrease overall travel times and emissions.
Facility sites can also be shared across different companies to pool resources and therefore decrease resource use. In addition, due to the generally large size of distribution centers, it is important when possible, to choose pre-developed or brownfield sites to reduce land use change impacts (“Elements”).
Energy efficiency in Last Mile Logistics Real Estate
Energy efficiency measures in warehouse and storage facilities are largely similar to other building types.
Lighting efficiency can be improved through LED bulbs and the inclusion of sensor and dimming capabilities.
Facilities that require refrigeration for storage should implement more efficient cooling technologies or utilize renewables to power them to avoid excess energy demand.
In addition, efficient machinery and lifts should be incorporated as the transferring of products is common practice and can be a large source of energy use in these facilities.
On the exterior, the building envelope could incorporate green or cool roof technologies to lower heating demands and energy loads.
Finally, renewables such as wind or solar energy should be used whenever possible to provide a source of green electricity.
Water efficiency in Last Mile Logistics Real Estate
Water efficiency measures should be considered in both interior and exterior aspects of last mile logistics distribution centers.
In the interior, low-flow water fixtures should be used in all sinks, plumbing, and restroom fixtures to reduce overall use. In addition, features such as dual flush toilets can be used to reduce water demand.
On the exterior, any landscaping used should be regulated by using low-water irrigation strategies. An approach known as xeriscaping incorporates local flora to reduce the need for watering and maintenance.
In addition, in wetter climates, strategies such as rainwater harvesting or capture systems can be used to collect water and divert it to other non-potable water uses on site.
Waste management in last mile logistics real estate
Waste should be considered in all phases of the last mile logistics building cycle, as ideally all materials that go into a project can be recycled and used again, closing the loop as part of a Circular Economy. Although a perfect closed loop is hard to achieve, the mindset should be used throughout all waste-related decisions.
Waste should be diverted from the landfill whenever possible, and for the case of last-mile logistic facilities, we will focus on the construction and operations phases.
In the construction phase, there are massive waste reduction opportunities, as a plethora of material is being brought on site and erected each day.
It is essential to avoid the damaging of materials whenever possible to reduce redundancy, and clearly labeled recycle and disposal bins should be placed on site to track and sort waste when it is produced.
Going back even further, when designing distribution facilities, strategies such as modular construction should be employed to further reduce waste throughout the manufacturing and building processes.
Once occupied, last mile logistic facilities can implement waste reduction strategies through operations and maintenance.
Efficient, sustainable packaging for products should be implemented, and recycling and organic waste bins should be placed throughout the site to encourage employees to divert waste from the landfills.
Green & Healthy Materials in Last Mile Logistics Real Estate
Both the exterior shell and the interior fit-out materials should be carefully selected for distribution and storage centers.
To increase project sustainability, building materials should be chosen based on factors such as durability, organic content levels, recyclability, and origin location.
Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) should be completed whenever possible to compare the sustainability traits of each material.
Characteristics such as bio-based materials or materials with high recycled content tend to have lower impacts throughout their life cycle. In addition, sourcing locally is a great way to reduce impacts as transportation emissions are greatly diminished.
Durability and resiliency are equally as important, although their impacts may not be as apparent until later in a building’s life.
Replacement and repair costs are inevitable as a building ages, and choosing materials that last the test of time and are resilient to natural disasters eliminate emissions and costs associated with excessive repairs.
Sustainable Transportation in Last Mile Logistics
Transportation is one of the most important, if not the most important factor within the last mile logistics system. Accounting for 27% of global greenhouse gas emissions, transportation is an essential aspect of reducing industry’s carbon emissions.
Within urban centers, delivery vehicles have been documented to account for over half of certain emissions, although they compromise a small fraction of total traffic vehicles. Including more eco-friendly last mile delivery strategies can improve both company sustainability and brand image (Lawton).
In addition, the rise in online shopping and the demand for delivery has skyrocketed from the start of the pandemic. Customers expecting and requesting rapid shipping times increases transportation emissions, making last mile deliveries even more detrimental to the environment.
A group of MIT researchers found that fast shipping increases carbon emissions by as much as 15% and bumps up costs as much as 68% (Lawton).
To combat transportation related emissions in last mile delivery schemes, strategies such as more efficient vehicles, routing, alternative pick-up locations, packaging, and loading can all be beneficial. The use of electric vehicles, or other means of transportation such as bicycles, drones, or even robots can be utilized to reduce emissions.
In addition, finding optimized routes for deliveries can increase efficiency and reduce miles driven, therefore lowering both costs and emissions. UPS Transport, for example, has implemented an “On-Road Integrated and Navigation” (ORION) program, that uses an algorithm to find the best route.
This technology has been found to save them around 10 million gallons of fuel and $400 million per year (Kaplan). Finally, the incorporation of centralized pick-up locations for clients can increase delivery efficiency and reduce emissions.
Some of the often more overlooked upstream strategies related to transportation are equally important considerations for last mile logistic companies. Packaging goods more efficiently using smaller boxes in more functional shapes can allow for denser packing into trucks, and therefore decrease the number of trips needed (Lawton).
Finally, incorporating a streamlined schedule and timing for delivery vehicles to arrive at distribution sites can reduce idle time and therefore reduce excess emissions.
Examples of sustainability in last mile logistics real estate
There are several companies connected to the last mile logistics space that have introduced sustainable strategies into their ESG business models and building sites.
Prologis, stands out from the crown as an ideal case study. This San Francisco based real estate investment trust invests in warehouses and has a strong sustainability focus, as explained in their 2020 Sustainability Report.
They place a large emphasis on sustainable buildings and sustainable building certifications, notably using LEED as the goal for all new developed buildings.
Within their projects, as standard they implement strategies such as solar panels, cool roofs, LED lighting with motion-sensors to reduce power usage while capturing data on how the space is used, recycling collection areas, xeriscaping, and local material procurement. They also provide electric vehicle charging stations on site to encourage the use of electric vehicles.
Innovations in the pipeline at Prologis include low carbon building materials to reduce the embodied carbon footprints of carbon-intensive materials and circular building design to incorporate recycled / recyclable materials that can be disassembled at end-of-life and repurposed.
Their PARKlife concept goes even further by improving services and facilities for their staff via security, gaming areas, employee gyms, walking trails and greenery.
Green building and healthy building certifications for last mile logistics real estate
Prologis have a goal of 100% sustainably certified buildings across their global portfolio, as of year end 2020 they had 171 million sq ft of sustainably certified space with LEED, BREEAM, WELL, CASBEE, DGNB and HQE.
Their Datteln, Germany facility was the first logistics facility in Germany and the second in the EU to achieve WELL Building Standard certification.
Sources
“Elements of a Sustainable Warehouse.” Prologis, 13 July 2021, https://www.prologis.com/what-we-do/resources/elements-of-a-sustainable-warehouse.
Kaplan, Deborah Abrams. “Ups and Amazon: A Tale of 2 Last-Mile Sustainability Strategies.” Supply Chain Dive, 15 Jan. 2019, https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/last-mile-sustainability-strategies-ups-amazon-disclosure/546005/.
Lawton, George. “10 Strategies for More Sustainable Last-Mile Delivery.” SearchERP, TechTarget, 13 Aug. 2021, https://www.techtarget.com/searcherp/feature/10-strategies-for-more-sustainable-last-mile-delivery.
Self Storage Sustainability: Real Estate ESG — Wellness Design Consultants
Biofilico consultants in real estate esg and sustainability assess the opportunities for the self storage industry, and its various investment funds and developers, to implement esg strategies as well as green building principles throughout their portfolio.
Sustainability in Self-Storage Real Estate
Within the real estate industry as a whole, the self storage industry has a relatively low environmental impact due to lower than average energy, water, and waste usage, as well as fewer people spending prolonged periods of time on site on a regular basis.
That said, there remain opportunities for forward-thinking self-storage real estate funds and development companies with an eye on ESG sustainability targets to ensure they are doing everything possible to reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with their building portfolio.
These sustainability efforts can be executed physically through self-storage building construction and interior fit-outs as well as the business’s ongoing operations; that can then be combined with a more strategic, corporate level Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) piece to complete the picture.
Sustainable Self-Storage Building Strategies
Self-storage spaces take a more nuts-and-bolts sustainability approach in comparison to some of the more occupant heavy building industries.
Nonetheless, a number of strategies from the worlds of waste, water, energy, and materials can still be applied here to help reduce environmental impact.
Waste efficiency in sustainable self-storage real estate
Waste can be reduced and managed most effectively in both the construction phase and in-use phase of self-storage buildings, no matter what their previous sustainability credentials.
Overall, the goal is to divert as much waste from landfill as possible throughout all phases of the building cycle.
During construction, it is important to reduce the damage of materials or products whenever possible to avoid excess waste.
In addition, a site waste management plan should be employed to ensure proper disposal techniques and awareness of waste when it is produced.
Building strategies that produce less waste such as modular construction can also be deployed to reduce overall waste production in the manufacturing and building processes.
In the in-use phase, self-storage facilities should offer recycled packaging materials whenever possible to encourage sustainable client habits.
In addition, there should be recycling facilities available on-site, and whenever possible, paper use should be eliminated through the use of technology in all client relations.
Water in sustainable self-storage real estate
Water efficiencies and reductions should be included in both landscaping and internal plumbing design.
In the interior, self-storage facilities tend to have minimal water use, with maybe one or two bathrooms on-site.
Although this is a relatively low impact, it is important to install low-flow fixtures and efficient plumbing in all bathrooms to reduce water use.
On the exterior and within landscaping, strategies such as xeriscaping should be implemented to reduce the amount of water necessary to upkeep the flora on-site.
In addition to lowering irrigation needs, water runoff controls and stormwater retention schemes should be incorporated when possible.
Energy in sustainable self-storage real estate
Similarly to real estate water efficiency strategies, energy efficiency should be considered both in and outside of the self-storage buildings from a real estate sustainability perspective.
On the interior, the use of efficient LED bulbs and sensor-based lighting tactics should be integrated.
In addition, HVAC systems should be optimized for efficiency to avoid unnecessary temperature control and excess heating or cooling.
On the exterior, strategies such as the implementation of renewable energy sources, most commonly rooftop or even building facade solar panels, can be very effective.
In addition, strategies such as installing green (landscaped) or white roofs can reduce energy demands as they increase cooling / reduce the urban heat island effect.
Sustainable Materials in self-storage real estate
From a real estate ESG point of view, construction and fit-out materials in a self-storage building should ideally be selected by origin location, resiliency, and recyclability to increase project sustainability.
From a holistic perspective, life cycle assessments (LCAs) and/or leveraging 3rd party certifications such as Cradle2Cradle, Declare, EPDs and HPDs, will help to determine which materials are the most sustainable for each project.
Local materials are desirable as they reduce transportation emissions, and materials that are bio-based, rapidly renewable, and contain a high recycled content tend to be the most sustainable options.
In addition, materials that are durable and have high structural resilience are beneficial as they will last longer and therefore avoid emissions and costs associated with replacements. Decisions such as what kind of flooring should be installed should be considered carefully with sustainability factors kept in mind.
ESG Corporate Strategy in self-storage real estate
From a more corporate level, real estate ESG strategies should be implemented to ensure sustainability proliferates in all aspects of a self-storage business model.
Environmental efforts should be focused on managing a company’s environmental responsibility. This includes an overall goal of conserving resources and energy and reducing waste.
To monitor these objectives, companies should utilize data collection, LCAs and impact assessments, and incorporate company-wide climate initiatives. To aid in these endeavors, companies can utilize online ESG management software tools such as Measurbl.
Social objectives focus on the employees and the social impact that a company has. The aim should be to create a safe, healthy, diverse workspace that allows employees to do the best work for customers.
To achieve these goals, companies should provide career development and training opportunities, a health and safety strategy, social engagement within the community, and even provide affordable sustainable housing opportunities for workers.
As with other ESG management strategies, various online software tools such as the Brightest Platform can be utilized to aid in social performance.
Governance strategies aim to increase company transparency and integrity through effective management plans.
Creating policies to better monitor a company such as codes of conduct, data privacy regulations, and documenting ESG goals are all beneficial. In addition, risks associated with the business should be understood, including climate risks.
Governance is essentially the oversight of all systems within a company, so it therefore can help to set guidelines, and organize and report data to increase and promote a transparent, ethical company. Online tools such as Workiva can be used to help ESG tracking and reporting.
Sustainable Building Certifications for self-storage real estate
As self-storage companies are searching for ways to improve sustainability throughout their buildings and business, implementing green building certifications can help grasp these goals.
Sustainability focused standards such as LEED and BREEAM for example, can provide specific building strategies to improve sustainability.
If a certification is desired, project teams should outline goals and align with the desired standard(s) from the onset. If certification is not the end goal, the standards can still provide valuable information and can act as guides towards greater environmental sustainability.
Examples of sustainable self-storage real estate
There are several self-storage companies that have implemented numerous sustainability strategies within their businesses. Learning from other ESG reports can provide information about precedents and guidance on what is possible within the sector.
For example, in Public Storage’s most recent sustainability report, they mention their future-thinking goals of carbon, water, waste and energy reductions. Already, they have implemented strategies such as LED lighting, solar power generation, low-water-use landscaping, battery energy storage, and high structural resilience.
In addition, Life Storage has integrated cool roofs in all of their projects, as well as using LED lighting, efficient HVAC systems, a waste management policy, and low-water irrigation systems. Their ESG report highlights these building-level environmental initiatives as well as their company-level sustainability achievements and goals.
The Importance of Sustainability in Self-Storage Facilities
Sustainability is a crucial aspect of self-storage facilities, offering a dual benefit of environmental conservation and enhanced business reputation. Self-storage facilities, like any other real estate, have a significant environmental impact. By adopting sustainable practices, these facilities can substantially reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to a healthier planet.
Moreover, sustainable self-storage facilities can attract eco-conscious customers who prioritize environmental responsibility. This not only helps in differentiating the facility from competitors but also builds a loyal customer base that values sustainability. Implementing sustainable practices can lead to cost savings through improved energy efficiency and reduced waste management expenses.
By embracing sustainability, self-storage facilities can contribute to a more sustainable future. Reducing their environmental impact not only benefits the planet but also positions the facility as a forward-thinking, responsible business in the eyes of consumers.
Sustainable Design and Operations
Sustainable design and operations are essential for self storage facilities aiming to minimize their environmental impact. Incorporating sustainable building materials, such as recycled steel and eco-friendly insulation, can significantly reduce waste and conserve natural resources. These materials not only support environmental goals but also enhance the durability and efficiency of the building.
Energy-efficient design principles, such as maximizing natural lighting and using high-quality insulation, can help reduce energy consumption and lower energy costs. Additionally, self storage facilities can implement renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to further reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy sources and decrease their overall environmental impact.
Sustainable operations practices, such as reducing paper usage through digital administration and providing recycling facilities on-site, also contribute to a more sustainable future. By integrating these sustainable practices, self storage facilities can operate more efficiently and responsibly.
Energy Efficiency in Self Storage
Energy efficiency is a critical aspect of self storage facilities, playing a significant role in reducing energy consumption and lowering operational costs. One effective strategy is the implementation of energy-efficient LED lighting, which not only reduces energy usage but also improves lighting quality and longevity.
Energy-efficient HVAC systems are another crucial component, helping to maintain optimal indoor air quality while minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, using energy-efficient appliances and equipment throughout the facility can further reduce energy usage and operational costs.
By adopting these energy-efficient practices, self storage facilities can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. This not only contributes to a more sustainable future but also enhances the facility’s reputation as an environmentally responsible business.
Reducing Waste Through Efficient Space Management
Self storage helps improve the efficiency of storage space in a business setting. The increase in the number of apartments and businesses in town is likely to help reduce building construction. Similarly, it could enable businesses with good stock management as it would allow for a storage facility for all of their items to be organized. It would also reduce problems resulting in overproduction.
Climate-Controlled Storage
Using climate-controlled storage is essential for protecting your belongings from extreme temperatures, humidity, and weather fluctuations. This type of storage ensures that delicate items such as electronics, furniture, artwork, and important documents are shielded from moisture, mould, and potential damage. With consistent temperature and humidity levels, climate-controlled units reduce the risk of warping, cracking, or other types of degradation, offering long-term protection for valuable or sensitive items. This method is ideal for anyone seeking reliable preservation in varying environmental conditions.
Community Engagement and Outreach
Community engagement and outreach are essential for self storage facilities to promote sustainability and environmental awareness. Partnering with local environmental organizations and community groups can help amplify sustainability efforts and foster a sense of community involvement.
Hosting educational events and workshops is an effective way to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and environmental conservation. These events can provide valuable information and resources to the community, encouraging more sustainable practices.
Participating in community clean-up events and tree-planting campaigns further demonstrates a commitment to environmental conservation. By engaging with the community in these meaningful ways, self storage facilities can promote sustainability and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Sustainable Materials and Practices
Sustainable materials and practices are essential for self storage facilities aiming to reduce their environmental impact. Using sustainable building materials, such as recycled steel and eco-friendly insulation, helps conserve natural resources and reduce waste. These materials are not only environmentally friendly but also enhance the durability and efficiency of the building.
Eco-friendly packing materials, such as biodegradable boxes and recycled bubble wrap, can also help reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Encouraging customers to use these materials promotes sustainable habits and reduces the overall environmental impact of the facility.
Implementing sustainable practices, such as reducing paper usage through digital administration and providing recycling facilities on-site, further supports environmental goals. By using sustainable materials and practices, self storage facilities can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Promoting Recycling and Reuse Efforts
It helps to reuse the materials in the environment to help you live the most sustainable life possible. Self-storaged goods are useful for future use rather than thrown out because you have to locate a suitable storage area. Many self-storage companies hold donations or recycling events, with some self-storing units serving as drop offs. Our Bicester shop was able to drop off a Bicester babybank when they ran a HomeSchool Equipment Appeal.
Green Building Design
Install environmentally conscious building techniques based on sustainable materials may reduce environmental impacts and appeal to an edifying clientele. Green buildings reduce energy use and reduce their carbon footprint. Energy efficiency designs, including the use of daylighting and insulation, offer a range of cost savings. In addition to reducing operational costs, these solutions contribute towards a green footprint.
Extra Space self-storage real estate REIT with sustainable practices
Extra Space are a US brand recognised by GRESB as No.1 for their ESG efforts that include an energy efficiency strategy with LED or T-8 lighting systems, a solar program maximizing the use of rooftops for clean energy production, and a focus on recycled materials in their boxes and packing supplies. Their storage units are designed with energy-efficient technology and sustainable features, such as eco-friendly pest control and renewable energy sources, to enhance environmental impact. Additionally, they have a paper-use reduction plan prioritising digital administration procedures, efficient plumbing devices, and irrigation systems combined with xeriscaping to limit water demand. For more information on their Social Policy, see the annual report here.
https://www.extraspace.com/self-storage/sustainability/
contact us to discuss your self-storage ESG and sustainability project.
Waste Management in Green & Healthy Buildings & Interiors
Waste Management
Around half of the world’s raw materials go into construction, and a third of the world’s waste is produced through the industry (Miller), making waste reduction and waste management a crucial contributor to reducing landfill and keeping materials in use (ref: the circular economy).
Due to the sheer scale of this impact, strategies of material use reduction, reuse, and recycling are key in all phases of a building project, from the design and pre-construction phase, into construction, in-use and operations phases, as well as the end-of-life phase.
In addition, considering the entire life cycle of raw material extraction, production, and waste is key for an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) real estate strategy.
The main goals in order of importance for each of these phases would first be to reduce the total amount of waste produced, then to reuse materials that would otherwise be considered waste, and finally to implement waste disposal management through strategies such as recycling, when necessary.
Various strategies can be implemented to reach these goals depending on the building’s phase of life.
Design & Pre-construction Phase
The design phase is often overlooked when considering waste management, although it has great potential to affect the production of waste throughout the life cycle of the building.
The way a building is designed is the most important factor for how it will function and change in the future. Designing for adaptability, efficient material use, and including recycling opportunities are all key strategies that have the potential to reduce waste production further along the life cycle.
When considering the life cycle of a building, one way to extend its useful life is to design for adaptability. This means that if the use of the building changes, the structure can be more easily shifted towards another use, therefore avoiding the demolition and reconstruction process, and reducing opportunities for waste production.
For example, a London construction for the 2012 Olympics was designed so that after the games, the used buildings were redesigned for affordable local homes, greatly reducing waste production (Miller).
In addition, the amount and type of materials used should be considered in the design phase to avoid excess waste created at end of life. Attention to different construction possibilities and the recyclability of materials have the potential to reduce initial material use and increase opportunities for reuse.
This therefore reduces waste production throughout the life cycle of the building. Essentially, the design phase should be used for planning and accounting for all waste-producing activities throughout the building’s life cycle and include management strategies to reduce this waste.
Construction Phase
In conjunction with the design phase, the construction phase has the potential to reduce large amounts of waste if properly managed. Construction projects should always aim to reduce waste production, and when that is not possible, find was to reuse materials on site and recycle any materials that cannot be used.
A site waste management plan should be employed to monitor all construction activities and optimize waste reductions and reuse opportunities (Best Practice).
Firstly, construction that occurs off-site such as modular construction can be employed, which removes a lot of potential waste problems. In a more controlled environment, modular construction allows for better management of waste, decreases material use, and increases disposal and recycling opportunities.
Off-site construction in general provides greater control, and avoidance of onsite disorganization or weather issues that can lead to material damage.
On any construction site, the delivery of materials at improper times can cause excess waste. To reduce material deliveries and damages, it is beneficial to bring materials on site ‘just-in-time’ to better align with construction project stages.
This strategy avoids excess materials and opportunities for material damage, which will create unusable materials and therefore create additional waste. Planning the timing of material deliveries and spaces to store materials when not in use is very important in the construction phase of a building (Best Practice).
In addition, when on the construction site it is important to designate areas where waste should be collected when produced and to consider where to place recycling bins or other waste containers on site to make them easily accessible for workers so that waste is properly collected and sorted.
Towards the end of the construction phase, as green building consultants we aim to ensure the proper segregation of materials and designate those that can be reused or recycled in other projects. In addition, to ensure optimized waste management, the training of workers and staff on the construction site is essential. (Best Practice).
In Use / Operations Phase
The in-use phase of the building is an equally important phase for monitoring and reducing waste production. After encouraging building occupants and those operating within a space to reduce waste sent to the landfill, it is essential that there is ample space to provide the segregation and storage of waste when it is accumulated within the building.
Equally, we advise the tracking of waste produced within the building and compare it to benchmarks to ensure that appropriate amounts are diverted from landfills.
To encourage building occupants to produce less waste, strategies such as using signage and providing products that create minimal to no waste are beneficial. Clear signage that encourages the segregation of waste in bins will encourage occupants to participate in recycling practices.
If, for example, the building contains a cafeteria or dining space, food and drink should be made available with minimal or recyclable materials, to reduce waste after use.
Storage for recycling should be easily accessible to building occupants and include options for paper, glass, plastics, and metals. In addition, composting opportunities should be provided as well as disposal locations for waste such as batteries and other electronics (LEED).
These locations should be easily visible and clearly marked to encourage building occupant use. Once collected on site, it is essential that there are processes in place that bring the segregated waste off site to facilities if not available on site (BREEAM).
In the design phase, it is important to consider the potential volume of waste produced within the building based on project type and traffic.
The number of bins available should equate to predicted daily and weekly waste production amounts. In the use phase, it is important to monitor and report the amount of waste produced regularly, to ensure the appropriate amount of storage and collection containers (BREEAM).
Also, with waste production and benchmarking information, decisions about the amount of management needed for collecting, storing, and transporting waste off-site can be clarified.
Overall, the goal of waste management in the use phase of a building is to divert as much waste as possible from the landfill.
This is first done through the encouragement of behavioral change to reduce waste production from the occupant side, and then provide locations to sort and recycle waste when produced. When the waste is collected and stored by trained staff, it should be measured to optimize building waste organization and to analyze for further reduction opportunities.
End of Life Phase
Closely connected to the design and construction phases of the building, the end-of-life phase has the potential to greatly reduce the amount of waste produced from the construction industry. If the building was constructed with adaptability in the design phase, then at end of life, the demolition process is not completely necessary. Also, what is taken apart at end of life should be recycled, reused, or salvaged for another use whenever possible to reduce waste in landfills.
Ideally, the life of the building is extended as much as possible and there is not a need to demolish a structure once it's built. When possible, the building should be refurbished for an alternative use or extended horizontally or vertically if needed, to avoid the need of starting over (BREEAM). If the building can be renovated instead of torn down, the waste produced is immensely reduced.
When demolition is the outcome, salvaging and recycling any material possible is essential to optimize waste reduction. Ideally a closed loop recycling process is utilized, meaning that materials used within the building can be recycled and remanufactured into the same or similar product for another building or project.
In some cases, materials can even be reused on site for a new application in the new construction when applicable. Finally, there are options to return materials to the original supplier to recycle, reuse, and recover the materials.
In the demolition process a term known as deconstruction can be utilized to further salvage materials from the building site and significantly reduce waste production.
Deconstruction involves the process of carefully dismantling a building rather than demolishing it without care, which greatly increases the potential for material reuse and reduces waste from landfills (Sustainable).
Management / ESG Compilation Phase
From an ESG perspective, waste management and reduction are an essential part of a building’s useful life. When considering the whole life cycle of a building, there are numerous opportunities to create large impacts on waste reductions, and therefore the environmental impacts of a project.
It is essential to consider waste in every phase of a project and include plans and management goals from the initiation of a build.
From the environmental side of the real estate ESG strategy, aka the “E” part of ESG, waste cannot be overlooked. Ideally a building or project contributes to the concept of a circular economy through the lens of waste.
Although a fully closed loop is difficult to achieve with any man-made building or system, considering ways to close the material loop and therefore eliminate waste is a key mindset.
The reduction of raw material extraction and waste production through strategies such as thoughtful design, smart construction strategies, proper management of waste in the in-use phase, as well as reducing waste at the end of a building’s life are essential.
A project’s waste management plan and ESG strategy go hand in hand – both essential to reducing the environmental impact of the built environment, a duty of those of us operating within the building industry.
Effective waste management is crucial in the construction industry. Around half of the world’s raw materials go into construction projects, and the industry produces a third of the world’s waste (Miller). This highlights the importance of waste reduction and management in minimizing landfill use and maintaining material circulation within the circular economy. Inefficient waste management can have significant financial and environmental implications.
The Role of Construction Companies
Construction companies play a vital role in waste management by:
Engaging resource management companies
Obtaining quotations for construction waste
Collaborating with waste management stakeholders to promote sustainable waste disposal practices
On-Site Waste Management
Proper construction waste management on construction sites involves:
Designating areas for waste collection and recycling
Implementing strategies for reducing, reusing, and recycling materials
Minimizing hazardous waste generation
Lifecycle Waste Management Strategies
Strategies for material use reduction, reuse, and recycling are key in all phases of a building project:
Design and Pre-Construction Phase
Construction Phase
In-Use and Operations Phase
End-of-Life Phase
Implementing these strategies effectively helps significantly reduce waste throughout the lifecycle of a building.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Considerations
Considering the entire lifecycle of raw material extraction, production, and waste is essential for an ESG real estate strategy. Managing organic waste is also crucial as it impacts green building concepts and helps mitigate environmental issues like methane generation.
Waste Management Goals and Priorities
The main goals in order of importance for each phase of a building’s lifecycle are:
Reduce the total amount of waste produced
Reuse materials that would otherwise be considered waste
Recycle materials when necessary
Sustainable Building Practices
Various strategies can be implemented depending on the building’s phase of life. Emphasizing resource efficiency and the use of sustainable materials in green building projects is critical. Sustainable building practices ensure environmentally responsible and resource-efficient processes throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Importance of Reducing Energy Consumption
Reducing energy consumption is also a vital part of holistic and sustainable waste management practices. This includes using energy-efficient processes and materials to minimize the environmental impact of construction projects.
Modular Construction and Material Reuse
Adopting modular construction can significantly reduce waste and improve efficiency. This approach, along with reusing materials, supports sustainable building practices and reduces the negative impacts of traditional construction methods.
Effective waste management in the construction industry is essential for promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact. By implementing strategies for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, construction companies can contribute to healthier interior designs and greener building practices.
Sources
“ Best Practice Guide to Improving Waste Management on Construction Sites.” Resource Efficient Scotland, Scotland.
Miller, Norman. “The Industry Creating a Third of the World's Waste.” BBC Future, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211215-the-buildings-made-from-rubbish.
“Sustainable Management of Construction and Demolition Materials.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-construction-and-demolition-materials.
BREEAM Certification System
LEED Certification System
a guide to real estate ESG management software
Real estate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting is becoming the norm for real estate developers and funds as societal pressure combines with investor pressure from above to nudge the industry towards a Triple Bottom Line position.
As real estate ESG consultants annual reporting is an obligatory piece of the puzzle, although it should be seen as a way to summarize and review the work done, rather than it becoming the focus of the work - a subtle but important difference!
Much of ESG is now about producing quality data and management of that data is fundamental, no longer can a spreadsheet do this job for us effectively, especially not for real estate portfolios with multiple, fully operational buildings. By setting up the necessary software early on in the ESG journey, a real estate developer sets themselves up for success in properly capturing, managing, and eventually disclosing ESG data.
ESG software helps us to track, visualize and monitor progress in real time throughout the year and then to transparently communicate to customers and investors the sustainability work delivered at the end of the year too. This process of collecting and analyzing data on an ongoing basis ensures alignment with the appropriate policies and ESG frameworks.
Depending on a real estate developer’s specific requirements, it can be difficult to find one single piece of ESG software that does everything we need, so here is a review of the major players right now.
Greenstone - ESG
Greenstone is a sustainability reporting software that enables organizations to more easily manage their ESG data and ESG reports. It’s primarily about data collection and data management, allowing the ESG team or external ESG Consultants to focus more on reporting, analysis and decision-making. Greenstone’s software and support services include modules concerning the environment, frameworks, and health and safety.
The Greenstone Environment module helps process environmental data, track consumption and carbon emissions, and manage and communicate this data.
The Greenstone Frameworks module ensures that clients meet the requirements of various reporting frameworks such as CDP, SASB, GRI Standards, TCFD, UNGC, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The Greenstone Health and Safety module helps organizations to collect and analyze incident data and manage reporting (Greenstone).
https://www.greenstoneplus.com/
Sustain.Life – Environment
Sustain.Life focuses specifically on ways to track, reduce, and manage carbon emissions and footprint. Additionally, the platform aligns this process with current certifications and standards to prepare for third-party assessments. The software aims to simplify the collection and management of data in one place, facilitating collaboration in the process.
Sustain.Life first aids in the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, then provides step-by-step guides for emission reduction strategies, and finally provides ways to offset unavoidable emissions. The carbon footprint is calculated through Sustain.Life’s carbon calculator using scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, meaning it considers all levels of a business’s emission behaviors.
Once the footprint is calculated, the software provides a sustainability plan based on the organizations budget, time, and climate impact. Finally, there are offset opportunities provided on the platform, allowing users to offset emissions from building users on an automatic monthly basis (“Sustainability”).
Brightest - Social
Brightest, another big player in ESG, Social Impact and Sustainability software, aims to increase efficiency in collecting, managing, and reporting data. Its particular USP however is around the social impact component, at least for now.
Brightest helps organizations collect data on environmental accounting assets, supply chain, energy and resources, and employees, teams and departments through stakeholder surveys, utility and invoice analyses, and life cycle analyses.
Once collected, data can be transferred to the Brightest ESG and sustainability dashboard. There, emission targets are tracked, carbon accounting is regulated, social impact and community characteristics are noted, and action plans are recommended based on the available data. As data accumulates the software can then start to aid further with reporting and disclosure.
Workiva - Governance
Workiva’s platform enables a simpler ESG reporting process through data management, the provision of reporting templates, and a single location for policy management. This software helps answer the ESG reporting questions of: who needs to be involved, what data should be included, and how can it be consolidated efficiently?
Workiva provides a platform to store data, create custom data sets and calculations, and format that data for reporting. Much of this process is automated. In addition, the platform allows for easier collaboration through simplified task management and progress tracking.
A master index of policies makes it easy to track and manage content for policies, standards, and other ESG guidelines. This allows ESG teams to keep all relevant ESG policies and documents in a single location.
https://www.workiva.com/solutions/esg-reporting
Measurabl – Real Estate ESG
Measurabl is arguably the most widely recognized ESG data management software in commercial real estate right now. The tool was designed specifically for real estate and is entirely data driven. It automates and consolidates much of the ESG processes, including ways to set targets, track performance, use benchmarks, and create reports.
This platform helps measure data such as electricity, water, fuel, and waste usage as well as tracking sustainability targets. In addition, it helps users manage social and governance documents, and keep track of green building certifications and annual reporting frameworks.
Sources
Brightest. “Simplify Social Impact, Sustainability and ESG.” Brightest, https://www.brightest.io/
“ESG Reporting.” Workiva, https://www.workiva.com/solutions/esg-reporting
Greenstone. “Sustainability, Supply Chain and ESG Software Solutions.” Greenstone, https://www.greenstoneplus.com/
“Real Estate ESG.” Measurabl, 12 Apr. 2022, https://www.measurabl.com/
“Sustainability Management Software.” Sustain.Life – Sustainability Management Software, https://www.sustain.life/
Sustainable real estate in urban regeneration with Jonny Friedman
urban regeneration / south africa / city opportunity fund / jonny friedman / healthy buildings / esg / sustainable real estate / social equity / green & healthy places podcast
urban regeneration / south africa / city opportunity fund / jonny friedman / healthy buildings / esg / sustainable real estate / social equity / green & healthy places podcast
Sustainable real estate south africa
A conversation with Jonny Friedman, Executive Chairman of the newly launched City Opportunity Fund.
In the 1980s and ‘90s Jonny invested in over 100 buildings in the Brighton area in the UK and another 20 buildings in Hoxton and Shoreditch in London, playing an instrumental role in the urban regeneration of both places.
Today he leads a team of over 120 people under the Urban Lime developments name focused primarily on Cape Town and Durban in South Africa. He has over R2 billion invested in real estate in Cape Town and Durban so far.
We discuss topics such as activations in the public realm, tactical urbanism, apartheid’s influence on urban geography in downtown areas in South Africa, what he calls ‘catalytic developments’ and the incremental gains from creating momentum in placemaking strategies, public-private partnerships in changing the identity of entire urban districts, as well as ESG and sustainability in the South African context.
conversation highlights:
Where I've seen successful urban regeneration projects work extremely well is when you take a deep understanding of that original space and the people within it and use that as your starting point to build upon. That is going to be completely unique in every single situation - no two separate buildings, areas, districts or neighborhoods are the same.
So you can in fact be catalysts for change by making small changes - tactical urbanism is a lot about that type of strategy where you make a series of minor changes here and there. These quickly add up to a lot more than the sum of their parts and make districts quite exciting.
Apartheid was all about creating safe spaces by massive walls, dividing up areas physically in terms of distance, but also in terms of the way in which they were built.
Matt Morley: Johnny, one of the concepts that really leaps out from the work you've done in the past has been around this idea of creating democratic spaces that have been re-energized and given new relevance within a city context, how do you see the key drivers of success for you?
Jonny Friedman
Hi, Matt. Look, I think the first thing to say is that a very important part of this is thinking deeply and widely about who's already there, what's there already, in terms of community, neighborhood, and the various parties living / working there, and also what the history is, what the culture is, and how to really take what is there and build upon that. How to make that relevant and better and repurposed in such a way that it works for the people that are there ready, so that it starts to develop interest and excitement for others to come and join in.
Creating momentum in real estate placemaking strategies
This then creates a sort of momentum around itself. But it's not a sense of gentrification or total change, where you from top down impose change upon a particular area or district or city. It's really about working with what's unique and special about that already. How to work with that as your starting point. And I think in a way, that's a sort of bottom up approach, as opposed to a top down approach.
Where I've seen successful urban regeneration projects work extremely well is when you take a deep understanding of that original space and the people within it and use that as your starting point to build upon. That is going to be completely unique in every single situation - no two separate buildings, areas, districts or neighborhoods are the same.
There's not a cut and paste approach that works, what you do in one city won't work in another city, what you do in one area where work in another area, you have to understand the uniqueness of it in, in every sense culturally, historically, and really get underneath it. And when one's able to do that, then it is organic.
It's not something again, which is imposed, I'm not really into master planning, in the sense of really planning out every single building every single aspect of a particular area, what I like to do is set frameworks and have a direction of travel, that allow it to happen organically.
Matt Morley
In the past, you've done both buying up smaller units, for example, at the top end of Bree Street in Cape Town, but you've also done far larger buildings, in terms of how what you've just described relates to piecing individual elements together versus going in with with one large building that can almost be an individual catalyst. How do you see the opportunities and challenges there in terms of scale? Like how does that connect with that concept of democratizing spaces within the city?
The role of scale in district-level placemaking
Jonny Friedman
Scale is important. But it's not the only thing that counts. Look, where it gets very exciting is when you can work at scale, when you can see whole areas, and you're buying buildings, you're looking very carefully at the relationship between the buildings, both private space and public space, and you start integrating that together.
The ‘democratization’ that you're talking about in terms of what I bought, is the opening up of the space so that it's usable and available and doesn't have barriers to entry and people can appreciate and use it at different levels. I think the best spaces are like that, where they they can be appreciated in multiple different ways and barriers to entry are cut down. There's an opening up for us between the private and the public.
Where you're using individual buildings as a catalyst for change for whole areas. I think that can happen. And we've had successful examples of that happening. But I think it needs to be in the context of thinking about spaces more generally, and how the public spaces again interact with that building. And again, making it appropriate.
Tactical urbanism in real estate development
So you can in fact be catalysts for change by making small changes - tactical urbanism is a lot about that type of strategy where you make a series of minor changes here and there. These quickly add up to a lot more than the sum of their parts and make districts quite exciting.
A lot of mistakes are in town planning space and made by the idea that activations and development needs to be very substantial to make change but a lot of substantial and meaningful changes can be made in small ways, clever ways, ways that don't involve huge budgets.
Individual buildings, as long as there is a sense of where the area is, where it's come from, who's there, who are the stakeholders, and it's done in an appropriate way, I think it can make a big impact, it's like you’re putting a huge dollop of confidence when area, you're putting something that really sparks up an area, it can become a catalyst, to attract other, different and interesting things.
Activation of the public realm
Matt Morley
I think perhaps the term that we've been skirting around is activation of the public realm, isn't it about creating valuable, useful, accessible public spaces that everyone can use. You did that in the UK, then at some point, you really doubled down on developing in South Africa, particularly in Cape Town and Durban. So you have two perspectives, in a way the UK and later in your career, with SA in terms of public realm, and also more generally, in terms of where the priorities lie locally. What are the particularities of SA when you're looking at urban regeneration projects?
Urban regeneration in the UK vs South Africa
Jonny Friedman
Well, I think they are, of course, because they're, you know, the histories of the of the two countries are so, so very different. And the architecture and the geo geographical layout of South Africa, has been so influenced by its unique history.
Going back a couple of 100 years, but, you know, in particular, of course, the the history around apartheid and separation of areas by you know, identifying records and the, the geographical implications of apartheid were huge. And, of course, also the fear that was surrounding apartheid, both during it and after it. And the way in which that influenced architecture and and town planning and urban design was massive.
Apartheid was all about creating safe spaces by massive walls, dividing up areas physically in terms of distance, but also in terms of the way in which they were built.
Creating office parks, which you had massive security around and residential, gated communities in suburban areas, again, where the walls were the key issue.
So it was a tremendous amount about, about keeping people out and not using public spaces. So a lot about what we've done it at urban life and our philosophies about breaking those walls down about opening up private spaces with public spaces, about inviting people in and creating spaces which which are saved by the fact they're used, that they're, they're vibrant, they're exciting and, and breaking down those perceptions around security around cities being fearful space with the street as a fearful space, and breaking those types of perceptions down and opening up the city as an exciting vibrant and, and, as you say, democratic space.
So huge differences between between two were of course, you know living in London and growing up in London and walking the streets and being part of that city and the excitement of being able to enjoy public spaces. Then in South Africa, it's very much you know, you get in your car, you go from point A to point B you know exactly where you're heading and you you park your car at point B, you do whatever you're doing at point B and then you go back to back in your car and back to point A and very often that those points are home and shopping center or home and office.
Developing destinations in real estate development
Where we found we can really make a huge difference in this country is about turning that around and turning areas into destinations in themselves. So we're not just going to this restaurant or this office and parking, we're actually saying we're going to this area and we're going to walk I mean these things for obviously for Londoners you know that's it's almost obvious but here in South Africa there are so few high streets where there's so few public urban spaces to enjoy and walk and see and be, you know, and have the surprise of what's around the corner and have multiple things to, to look at and interact with and do all in sort of one area, something which has not really happened outside of very controlled areas, like shopping center environments.
So that's where we try to make a difference and try to introduce South Africans. So the excitement about what's you know, urban centers can feel like what what the street feels like, how does the coffee shop and enjoy the hustle bustle of city life, which has been so missing, both during the apartheid era and and posted around the particular history of South Africa.
So I think there's a lot of opportunity here, just kind of letting people experience what we're so used to in Europe, we take it for granted that you can walk around the city and enjoy the streets and enjoy street life and be constantly surprised by what might be available or what the only shops opened up or coffee shops available.
What are all of those types of things, which we sort of take almost for granted, is not available here, or was it was only just becoming available in multiple different ways or so even where they've done good sort of urban regeneration projects, what South African developers at a lockdown usually done is they've created sort of like a little oasis, and they put a wall around it.
That what they've called urban regeneration, because that mindset, the mentality is all about safety, security, and keeping restricting people coming into spaces. In fact, the opposite of what you're talking about in terms of democratization of spaces, it's almost even though the urban regeneration ideas and spaces, they don't get quite get this concept of opening them up and making them exciting and, and spaces in their own right, where people can move freely between public and private spaces and between different private spaces. So it's actually very exciting developing here, because a you can do it at scale. And scale is important as previously discussed. But I think it's almost like introducing a new way of living, and excitement around what the city equals and what it can be.
Democratized urban spaces for social equity
And that's what I found very, very fulfilling. And when people find it, they love it. And in fact, particularly young people, I think, you know, creating great urban democratized type of spaces, is extremely, it's something that young people almost kind of need. And if you don't provide it within a city, they'll go elsewhere. And they'll go to cities, which do provide it.
So it's been very exciting working here, because we've been able to do it at scale. And we've also been able to sort of bring a different mindset to it, and started to introduce people to what in Europe, we sort of take almost for granted that what what has been very much prohibited here, either, you know, actually, or in terms of perception being people can see the CD spaces too, as too dangerous somehow.
And I feel like over the last 20 years, I've been working here, we've moved the mindset on that in a lot of areas. You mentioned a few, but we've worked in probably 25 Different areas across the country. And all of the areas One of the things that they have in common is that they're about opening up, they're about connecting public private spaces, they're about the feeling of being able to be in a space and be able to engage with excitement of what city life, let's say like at its best can be.
Matt Morley
And to achieve that, are you finding free consider say that, say a district level or a cluster based strategy where in a sense, you start to spread out and create, as you mentioned, sort of a street level neighborhood. That's really something quite innovative for sa but perhaps something we might take almost for granted in in Europe, does that require greater public private collaboration? Or is it something that a private developers such as urban lime can pretty much roll out themselves how much how much partnership is involved in that with the city planning?
Public - private partnerships in real estate development
Jonny Friedman
The more partnership there is, the better. Where the schemes work best is where the public and private work hand in hand together. And almost by their nature, they have to have a good symbiotic relationship with the with the cities and with the owners of the public spaces.
So what can also happen is that as a private developer, you can sort of be the catalyst for that as well. So even if you haven't got a willing pond to start with, you can start showing them how the public and private realm can start interact.
And what's interesting is that we've had such you know, public of engagements, where, when the cities and when neighborhoods and when you know, the the stakeholders start to see change, we found that they got more and more engaged, and that it goes beyond talking actually into reality. And when they start to see it, there's a momentum builds.
In fact, momentum in what we do is extremely important, getting things done, and doing stuff, we were talking earlier about small interventions. Small interventions are hugely important because they develop confidence, they develop confidence, and then people see are starting to see change, it's time to feel change.
So actually just making smaller small interventions, where people are starting to experience the sort of things that we were talking about earlier, the excitement of city life, the interact with other people, the best of what cities and districts neighborhoods can be, once they start to feel that, then it has it starts to grow momentum itself.
And then of course, others start coming in as well. It's not just due to i, we never look to be the the only private. In fact, if we were the only people developing privately, we've kind of not hit, we've missed the target in a way.
Becoming a catalyst for change via real estate
But we want to be as a catalyst for change, once people start seeing it happening, it gets to a sort of a tipping point, where you know, we could actually do nothing more and come back in five years time, and the area would be very substantially better than it is now. Because it's come to a sort of a tipping point where all the owners of the buildings start seeing potential, they want to spend money on maintenance, they want to think about the right 10s Instead of just, you know, any tenant, and it becomes a positive becomes a positive catalytic spiral.
And very much the municipalities and the local councils and other stakeholders get on board that enthusiasm, if you create it, once I see one of our roles is as kind of momentum builders. So it's a it's yes, you can do catalytic developments. But also, you can do a lot of small interventions here and there. And out of that comes a momentum, and it starts developing a life of itself. And then all stakeholders very much obviously key stakeholders are the municipalities, but other stakeholders as well get involved and projects take on a life of their own.
City Opportunity Fund - ESG real estate
Matt Morley
Fascinating and in a way that leads into then, where you look to be changing gear, in a sense with the launch of the city Opportunity Fund, upcoming in June of this year, clearly different scale, but still, in a way, tapping into that same level of detailed insight and the knowledge that you have that have particularly in a city, Cape Town and Durban. So what is your what's the aim there? What's the big goal with that new fund that looks to be? Yeah, in a sense, taking urban regeneration to another level in SA right.
Jonny Friedman
The City Opportunity Fund is actually taking the skill sets and our experience that we've developed, you know, in the three cities that we've worked in on on two continents. And really distilling that and I would say one does still that one comes down to the real skills that we have is how do we take areas or buildings that have become inappropriate in terms of us have gone out of fashion that no longer had relevance in some way. And we've adapted them in an organic way which is, which doesn't feel like it's a top down approach, which is a bottom up approach, which we talked about which is organic, which is incremental, but at the same time radically transforms areas and buildings and at the moment, those that skill set couldn't be more relevant because in the postcode environment, you know, through changes in technology, but which have now been enhanced heavily by the experience we've all been through over the last couple of years.
The impact of COVID on mixed-use real estate development
It's left a huge amount of real estate, not only in the in the city centres, but throughout the whole of South Africa. And in fact, globally. It's made its left a huge amount of commercial real estate, in some ways irrelevant under purpose or needs to be repurposed reinvented resort through for this post COVID modern world, people essentially are not working from offices in the way that they that they used to.
And people are essentially not buying from shops in the way that they used to. And whilst this this trend has been in place for quite a while in terms of flexible working, and in terms of online retail, these are trends which are already well established before COVID. They've been hugely accelerated by COVID. And you know the way in which we work and the way in which we which we shop and the way in which we live and the way in which we socialize and the way in which we think about our homes.
And the way we we think of ourselves and each other has radically transformed. And what it's done is it's had a tremendous impact on the way in which we use buildings, the way which we think about buildings. The how we're going to be using buildings going forward, there's a massive shift, which needs to be taken to account from there, because there's a huge blend up between the virtual world and the real world. And how does one integrate the virtual experience with the bricks and mortar experience?
So it's in that slot in the slot in this lot of how does one repurpose rethink reinvent real estate, given these massive social technology, massive changes that are that have been happening and are happening and are accelerating at a tremendous pace? And how it's impacting really every aspect of our lives?
And where does real estate fit into that? And what is and how does one adapt these types of buildings, headquarters, office buildings, for instance, shopping centers, high streets, business, travel has totally changed.
Almost every aspect of the commercial, real estate and leisure businesses have changed very fundamentally. And it's the reinvention and the rethinking of how does one adapt those two buildings which are, which are relevant, and that's what the city Opportunity Fund has at the very heart of it.
And the proposition is, is that we come up with a set of sort of broad solutions in multiple different categories, as to how we can in, in general terms deal with some of these fundamental issues that have that have changed, and a lot of real estate will never be the same again, because things are fundamentally changed.
So the city Opportunity Fund is a fund where we're injecting close to 2 billion rands of our own assets into the fund. But we're also working with major partners who are going to be injecting real estate, which fits into that category, which are buildings which, or groups of buildings, which need rethinking, repurposing, reinventing which which are no longer relevant they currently are. And, of course, the solutions. To what to that problem? How does one deal with real estate in the postcode environment, it's not cookie cutter,
there's not a cut and paste solution to it. And again, the solutions will have to be crafted on a bespoke basis. And and that is where that is where our sweet spot is. And that that is what the city Opportunity Fund is about is it comes out of a team that's got 30 years experience in, in looking at areas that have gone out of fashion that at buildings, which no longer fit for purpose, and being able to adapt them and change them and get underneath the pot with underneath the issue, finding the most relevant and most appropriate solution for a particular area building district or city. And it's that which will be encapsulated within the city Opportunity Fund.
Student housing and affordable housing
Matt Morley
Within that context, then the student housing and affordable housing sector, so what is the opportunity there? So if you've got a 1960s building that's really sort of past its its sell by date, but yet has potential? How can a student housing concept or how would you adapt the student housing concept to fit into that space? Because there's there's surely opportunities there and that sector, right?
Jonny Friedman
Well, there are a lot of buildings that fit into that category in the industry. Some of them are more appropriate for retrofit into student social housing and others. And of course, it depends upon exactly where the demand is. But in both the sectors that you that you brought up there they they are, you know that one of the solutions, in effect, or student housing and social housing are two of the solutions that we are looking very carefully at in terms of a much wider and much wider issue.
But they certainly in South Africa are areas where there's a large amount of demand, there's government backing for him. And there's a real opportunity in retrofitting old office buildings, certain old office buildings into spaces of that nature. And again, we would look at a project like that, like we look at any and we think, Well, what is the very best, the very, very best in asset class here?
How can we do this in the very best way? And we would work off a wish list and look and think well, what is it what does the ultimate student student housing look like? And we would literally run through and think about that. And the same with social housing and create best in best in class types of buildings and areas.
Again, I like in that space linking buildings, I like thinking about the public spaces. I like thinking about how it feels to be not only in public space, but how it feels to be within the building. I think a lot of the issues around the way in which buildings are used healthy spaces, creating green spaces, spaces, which are, which are feel good to be and we almost was everything we we do we look at we take a sort of a living room approach.
How does it How does it feel to be in the space? We think about you know, if we're actually in that space? How does it feel to be in there feel like, like a vibrant, healthy democratic space, something's inviting, we would look at student housing exactly that way as, as in a in our class. So best in class is critical.
Defining a concept for mixed-use real estate development
How does it feel how to build it interact? How to public speak, how does the public space work? What we don't like is huge concourses whose huge concrete concourse is, which are kind of almost made for architects rather than for people, you know, they kind of make the building look good, and make the building look grand or whatever. But we're interested in is how does it feel? How does it feel to be in the space?
How do we get a best best in class feeling? What's most appropriate? What's there? How do we think about modern technology? And how do we integrate that? How do we use the changes in the way in which we're living so radically?
And how do we integrate those into these buildings to make them make not only relevant now, but also relevant in 10 years time? So we thinking very hard about that the interaction between technology and real estate, the interaction between the virtual world and real world? And, and going back to basic principles? How does it feel? How does it feel to be in a space? What do you need?
So what are the needs of the people who inhabit that spaces? It's this type of thinking, we that I think sort of sets us apart. And within the city Opportunity Fund, it's we're going to be saved, we're going to be having those types of conversations and those that type of thinking, going through everything we do.
So whether it's a high street, or whether it's a social housing project, or whether it's a student city we're looking at, or whether we're looking at a neighborhood scheme, or whether we're looking at how does one reinvent the office space, the modern world what's required? Now? The thinking is starts there, who's there to start with?
How do we build on that? What's the most efficient, most exciting way to use the building? How does it feel to be in it? How do we interact with the technologies that are available? How do we blend the experience between the version the real, it's, it's this is the approach we're sort of taking, it's not a traditional development. And you can give you probably, I think, throughout the chat we've had we've not actually used the word developer, we don't really consider ourselves developers sort of a more around placemaking, more around reinvention, almost inventors or re inventors of space, not developers of space.
So it's a different it's a different approach. It's a different way of thinking. And it's very people centered used word democratization, so very people centered, how does it feel? Very critical. How does it feel? What's the use? How does it interact with, with the with everything else we do? How does it fit in?
Real estate ESG - Environmental, Social, Governance
Matt Morley
You touched on a couple of things there the idea of there being a component of health and well being and also to some extent, considering green themes and sustainability. We've spoken a lot about the social side. So the big hot topic at the moment clearly is ESG real estate.
So environmental, social, and governance within the sort of the macro perspective that you have from your position today. Do you see sa as being perhaps ahead or behind in any of those three is ESG real estate having that kind of impact on the real estate development market? In sa that it is having in the US and in Europe? Or do you think there's a little lag between the two in that sense, and therefore perhaps an opportunity for the fund to do something different?
Jonny Friedman
Definitely, definitely an opportunity. Look in IT environment where there's a tremendous amount of poverty in South Africa, there's a huge unemployment rate, especially in youth unemployment rate is at epidemic proportions. There's so in that environment in that context, yes, in various different areas that you're talking about has been somewhat left behind. And, and it mustn't be and we're where we look at buildings.
Health and wellness in real estate
We would take the best in class we would be looking at following best standards and looking at the way they're doing it abroad trying wherever possible to emulate it. And integrating wellness and healthy building type strategies, both in terms of the internal inside the buildings, but also externally and how to bring the two together, set right up at our, you know, high up on our list of priorities. And I think wellness generally, is a key growth area.
Wellness, in terms of the way in which we use buildings to wellness is kind of wellness as a sort of general concept is integrated into almost all of our projects in one form or another. Obviously, it's come out of COVID COVID has given us all a time of reflection around these issues, what's important to us wellness in the in the more general form as has been right up there with the conversation of the last couple of years.
How and the importance of taking care of oneself living in health environments, and so on and so forth is is critical for for South Africa as it is for for all other countries. Where it's not left behind is obviously around in terms of poverty and social needs, which are which really different level to many first world countries.
Matt Morley
It's incredibly valuable insight that you share with us today. Thank you for your time. I really appreciate it. If people want to learn more about urban life and about the new fund that you're launching this summer how can they connect and follow along?
Jonny Friedman
Well, they can go onto our website, the urban lime, urban lime.co dot set A or on to the city Opportunity Fund website, which is also up so contact us or or get in touch. Anyway, it's been a pleasure to talk to you about.
https://www.cityopportunity.co.za/
Q&A with a Biophilic Design Consultant: Healthy Building and Wellness Interiors — Biofilico
An interview with Matt Morley about his career path in real estate and hospitality to becoming a biophilic design and healthy building consultant specialising in wellbeing interiors for offices, residences and gyms.
How did you enter the field of wellbeing interiors, healthy buildings and biophilic design?
Biofilico’s Founder, Matt Morley at the creative workspace ‘Montoya’ in Barcelona, Spain
Biofilico’s Founder, Matt Morley at the creative workspace ‘Montoya’ in Barcelona, Spain
I spent 10 years with a mixed-use real estate developer and operator in what eventually became a Creative Director role delivering new business concepts. I’d work with the construction and development teams, as well as finance, marketing and operations, taking a sports bar, coworking space, business club, beach club or concept store from idea to reality.
It was an amazing learning experience for what would come later - effectively doing a similar thing but a boutique consultancy business and focusing specifically on green and healthy spaces, incorporating biophilic design principles.
Where did your interest in health, fitness, and mental health come from?
So in parallel with that 10-year process I’ve just describe my 7-10 hours per week of training starting to take on ever more importance in my life, especially as I was doing so much of it outdoors, immersed in nature, with minimal equipment.
I was also experimenting with standing desks, going barefoot, a low-carb Paleo diet and bringing the outside world in to my office and home. I aimed to bring nature into my living and working spaces to enhance wellbeing and productivity. Incorporating these elements into my living and working spaces helped to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. In other words, my life became a testing ground for these new ideas around workplace wellbeing, ancestral health and wellbeing interiors.
Do you remember the exact moment you first discovered biophilic design?
It was a very organic, intuitive process for me. This is so important to reiterate as a biophilic design expert - I got there by myself, using my own instinct and listening to my body, testing things out on myself and eventually coming to the conclusion that most indoor spaces devoid of the natural world were simply not happy, uplifting places for me to be. I realized that integrating biophilic principles, such as the use of natural elements and patterns, was essential to creating environments that promote wellbeing and productivity.
At that point, I knew I had to quit my job and make my own rules from then on. I needed to go to an extreme to understand what was out there, what was possible and what my body could feel if I went all-in on this approach for a while. I don’t think my then-girlfriend knew what on earth was going on by that point!
In other words, biophilic design was not something I studied, it was as if it came from inside of me first and all I had to do was recognize what was happening.
Of course, it helped to be immersed in real estate and interiors for my work at the same time, that was the magic mix that made it possible to become a wellbeing champion and biophilic design consultant later on.
What experts influenced you on the path to becoming a biophilic design consultant for real estate and hospitality?
Over time I worked out that there was a whole school of thought largely led by the US around how to actually do what I was talking about in a clear, structured way. Terrapin’s 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design and Stephen Kellert’s The Practice of Biophilic Design were fundamental reference points. Their work highlights the proven benefits of biophilic design in promoting wellbeing, productivity, and creativity in living and working spaces.
How did you become a consultant in healthy interiors and biophilic design?
I set up my first company, Biofit, back in 2015 specializing in creating sustainable gyms and wellness concepts through biophilic interior design. Over time that evolved into a fitness advisory business working with hotel groups and corporates around Europe to create innovative wellness concepts, gym facilities and fitness programs. This work also emphasized the importance of the built environment in promoting overall wellbeing.
Originally I thought I was setting up my own natural fitness studio in London but several successful pivots led me to where I am today!
In 2018 I set-up my second business, Biofilico focusing on a wider market of wellbeing interiors and healthy building services. This is much more closely aligned with the work I was doing for the mixed-use developer / operator before becoming an entrepreneur.
What advice would you give to someone hoping to become a biophilic designer or wellbeing interiors expert?
My path is not the only path clearly, other people may be coming from an engineering background, architecture or sustainability but to do this you really need to have a solid understanding of real estate, construction and how buildings are made.
Otherwise you’re going to struggle to put yourself in the shoes of your clients, to understand what their objectives are and how best to help them get there.
If you intend to be an independent consultant in biophilic design, wellbeing interiors, or indeed healthy buildings, you’ll need some certifications to show for it to, so studying for at least one if not several certification systems is a really good place to start. Certifications like WELL, LEED, and Living Future are essential for demonstrating expertise in biophilic design. Interior designers play a crucial role in integrating biophilic design concepts into interior spaces, significantly impacting mental health.
Additionally, biophilic design consultants often work alongside architects, engineers, lighting designers, acoustics consultants, and client representatives, emphasizing the collaborative nature of these projects.
Biophilic design research study for The Wardian - an EcoWorld Ballymore residential development in London’s Canary Wharf
What prompted you to do your own research studies into biophilic design and natural elements in London?
We were commissioned by a real estate developer called EcoWorld Ballymore to take over a space of theirs by the river in Canary Wharf, London’s business district for a 4-week residency.
We created a mini biophilic workspace in small glass building, turning it into a creative meeting room right by the water full of air-purifying plants to improve indoor air quality. We also integrated natural elements such as natural light, plants, and water to enhance the connection between the built and natural environments, creating a healthier built environment. A team from the University of Essex then created a scientific research questionnaire for us as a ‘before and after’ questionnaire for office workers during their visit to our ‘recharge room’ full of Vitamin Nature. (see the full report here)
In total 108 people spent about an hour in that biophilic green space designed for mental wellbeing, and we saw very positive results for key indicators such as productivity, creativity, nature-connectedness, stress and anxiety levels, even concentration.
So, a ‘recharge room’ or office ‘quiet space’ can become especially interesting when we layer in biophilic design as a way to give purpose and meaning to for example an unused office.
Maybe there is room for a little yoga and stretching in there too, or maybe not but let’s be clear - mental health in the workplace has never been more important than it is today.
This type of nurturing space in an office environment may seem a mismatch but in fact it can be a tangible help for HR departments looking to recruit and retain top talent by ensuring they have a happy and healthy workforce.
GRESB consultant for real estate ESG
Biofilico consultancy for environmental, social & governance (ESG) and GRESB assessment in real estate
consultancy for environmental, social & governance (ESG)
GRESB assessment
What is GRESB for real estate ESG?
As part of any progressive Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) strategy, we advise real estate development funds on the GRESB Real Estate Assessment.
This global benchmarking system now receives submissions from over 1200 property companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs), funds, and developers spread between 64 countries.
The annual reporting period from April 1st to July 1st was extended by one month due to the impact of COVID in 2020, with results released in November.
How can a real estate esg consultant help with the GRESB process?
First and foremost, GRESB is about reporting, it also provides a guideline for real estate developers to follow in terms of their ESG strategy.
By signing up for the first year of GRESB assessment free, a business can start the meaningful process of aligning itself with ESG objectives, prior to taking the assessment a second time, having had a practice year to improve their score. This is our recommended process in any case.
Can anyone manage the annual GRESB ESG assessment process?
There are various online training modules available, that we duly went through the first time but in practice, we see this as about integrating ESG policies into the heart of a real estate business, piece by piece until the entire enterprise is pointing in the same direction. That is the magic of GRESB!
By the time the GRESB assessment window opens up each year in April, the hard work should be done, it is then about collecting the necessary data to show what has been accomplished. And to be clear, GRESB require a lot of proof…
ESG strategy first, GRESB second
We consider the first step in this entire process for a real estate business to be the creation of solid ESG strategy that has the buy-in from the CEO and Board, as appropriate, otherwise it is never going to go anywhere fast.
Primarily the goal is for the business to proactively support people and planet in its work throughout the year, both internally and externally. There is simply no way to cheat this, no shortcuts are on offer, it is about ground-up sustainability policies, the health of employees, ethical business practices and good governance, amongst other things.
What will real estate developers need to show to GRESB?
GRESB is a rigorous online assessment process that requires equal parts thought leadership and commitment to the cause of ESG with sections on Management, Performance and Development.
Management in GRESB covers ESG strategy, policies and processes as well as risk management and stakeholder engagement, while Development focuses on how a business has implemented ESG in the design, construction and renovation of real estate projects.
Companies with operational projects under management on the other hand, use their building performance data to complete the GRESB Real Estate Benchmark encompassing Management and Performance components, with the latter analysing data around energy consumption, GHG emissions, water consumption and waste.
We completed this process for Black Mountain Partners in London, prior to them completing their first redevelopment project 68 King William Street. Once that project is officially occupied, there would the be scope to additionally completing the GRESB Performance component as well.
GRESB Management assessment
Management category measures the entity’s strategy and leadership management, policies and processes, risk management, and stakeholder engagement approach, composed of information collected at the entity level.
GRESB Performance assessment
Performance assessment measures the entity’s asset portfolio performance, composing of information collected at the asset portfolio level. It is suitable for any real estate company or fund with operational assets.
GRESB Development assessment
Development assessment measures the entity’s efforts to address ESG-issues during the design, construction, and renovation of buildings. This component is suitable for entities involved in new construction (building design, site selection and/or construction) and/or major renovation projects, with on-going projects or completed projects during the reporting year.
To enquire about how we can help you develop a GRESB-friendly ESG strategy for your real estate business, contact us here.