The Inns of Aurora in New York state, USA, has a WELL Certified spa / photo: Bryan Peck, courtesy of the Inns of Aurora
A new study in the Journal of Building and Environment* has found that environments which focus on things such as light, water and air quality can have a significant impact on our wellbeing in a number of ways.
For the peer-reviewed research, a team from universities in the USA which specialise in architectural engineering and design, analysed the impact of WELL Certification using more than 1,300 pre- and post-occupancy survey responses from six companies in North America.
Launched in 2014, WELL offers a framework for healthy buildings spanning 108 features across 10 categories of air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound materials, mind and community (see www.spabusiness.com/PaulScialla). It’s being used in 125 countries by more than 100 Fortune 500 companies and brands such as Four Seasons Beverly Hills.
WELL Certification is awarded to companies which meet certain requirements of the WELL Building Standard.
Specifically, this study focused on WELL Certified workplaces and found a number of benefits for occupants:
• A near 30 per cent improvement in overall satisfaction with the workplace, which jumped from 42 per cent to 70 per cent
• A 26 per cent overall increase in reported wellbeing scores
• A 10 per cent increase in mental health and a 2 per cent increase in physical health
• A 10-point jump in median productivity scores
Rachel Hogdon, president and CEO of the International WELL Building Institute, creator of the standard, says this is the first time researchers have published rigorous longitudinal research into its certification. She adds: “It shows unequivocally how a people-first approach supports wide-ranging benefits for occupants and organisations alike”.
Lead study author Nasim Ildiri concludes that the findings “serve as another powerful accelerant for healthy building adoption”.
*Source. Ildiri, N et al. Impact of WELL Certification on Occupant Satisfaction and Perceived Health, Well-being, and Productivity: A Multi-Office Pre- Versus Post-Occupancy Evaluation. Journal of Building and Environment. October 2022
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 2
Editor's letter: Feeling optimistic
Revenue is at an all-time high and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for spas, says Katie Barnes
Spa People: Taichi Kuma
The son of celebrated architect Kengo Kuma designs a striking shell-like sauna in Japan
Spa People: Ana Ramirez
On her plans to roll out Ancestral Handmade, her regenerative wellness hotel concept, across South America – starting in Colombia
Spa People: Daniel Golby
On ESPA Life's debut in Doha and the markets he has his eyes set on for future expansion
News report: Milestone moment
US spa industry revenue exceeds the US$20bn mark according to ISPA's latest Big Five statistics
Sponsored: MyBlend: A new vision of beauty
Clarins has elevated its myBlend brand with new tech and formulations, as well as forging powerful alliances with global spa partners
Sponsored: Gharieni: Mind expansion
With the quest for better mental health growing ever stronger in the wake of the global pandemic, we ask Gharieni CEO Sammy Gharieni how the company’s wellness technologies are helping spas to meet this consumer demand
Top team: Hilton
Sleep, fitness and new spa concepts are top of the list as Hilton looks to deliver wellness across its 7,000 properties
Thermal spa: The heat is on
With 50 hot springs projects underway, the US is looking to establish itself as a thermal spa destination. Jane Kitchen takes a closer look
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
The Inns of Aurora in New York state, USA, has a WELL Certified spa / photo: Bryan Peck, courtesy of the Inns of Aurora
A new study in the Journal of Building and Environment* has found that environments which focus on things such as light, water and air quality can have a significant impact on our wellbeing in a number of ways.
For the peer-reviewed research, a team from universities in the USA which specialise in architectural engineering and design, analysed the impact of WELL Certification using more than 1,300 pre- and post-occupancy survey responses from six companies in North America.
Launched in 2014, WELL offers a framework for healthy buildings spanning 108 features across 10 categories of air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound materials, mind and community (see www.spabusiness.com/PaulScialla). It’s being used in 125 countries by more than 100 Fortune 500 companies and brands such as Four Seasons Beverly Hills.
WELL Certification is awarded to companies which meet certain requirements of the WELL Building Standard.
Specifically, this study focused on WELL Certified workplaces and found a number of benefits for occupants:
• A near 30 per cent improvement in overall satisfaction with the workplace, which jumped from 42 per cent to 70 per cent
• A 26 per cent overall increase in reported wellbeing scores
• A 10 per cent increase in mental health and a 2 per cent increase in physical health
• A 10-point jump in median productivity scores
Rachel Hogdon, president and CEO of the International WELL Building Institute, creator of the standard, says this is the first time researchers have published rigorous longitudinal research into its certification. She adds: “It shows unequivocally how a people-first approach supports wide-ranging benefits for occupants and organisations alike”.
Lead study author Nasim Ildiri concludes that the findings “serve as another powerful accelerant for healthy building adoption”.
*Source. Ildiri, N et al. Impact of WELL Certification on Occupant Satisfaction and Perceived Health, Well-being, and Productivity: A Multi-Office Pre- Versus Post-Occupancy Evaluation. Journal of Building and Environment. October 2022
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 2
Editor's letter: Feeling optimistic
Revenue is at an all-time high and democratic wellness is bubbling under. It’s an exciting time for spas, says Katie Barnes
Spa People: Taichi Kuma
The son of celebrated architect Kengo Kuma designs a striking shell-like sauna in Japan
Spa People: Ana Ramirez
On her plans to roll out Ancestral Handmade, her regenerative wellness hotel concept, across South America – starting in Colombia
Spa People: Daniel Golby
On ESPA Life's debut in Doha and the markets he has his eyes set on for future expansion
News report: Milestone moment
US spa industry revenue exceeds the US$20bn mark according to ISPA's latest Big Five statistics
Sponsored: MyBlend: A new vision of beauty
Clarins has elevated its myBlend brand with new tech and formulations, as well as forging powerful alliances with global spa partners
Sponsored: Gharieni: Mind expansion
With the quest for better mental health growing ever stronger in the wake of the global pandemic, we ask Gharieni CEO Sammy Gharieni how the company’s wellness technologies are helping spas to meet this consumer demand
Top team: Hilton
Sleep, fitness and new spa concepts are top of the list as Hilton looks to deliver wellness across its 7,000 properties
Thermal spa: The heat is on
With 50 hot springs projects underway, the US is looking to establish itself as a thermal spa destination. Jane Kitchen takes a closer look
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
