WELL Building: Key Design Features for Office Environments

This study aims to explore the key design features that support office building occupants from the adverse effects on health, well-being, and productivity (i.e., the three aspects in the WELL Building Standard). To achieve that aim, the objectives are to (1) identify the key design features that support health, well-being, and productivity; (2) compare the key design features; and (3) analyze the interrelationships between the key design features. Information from a systematic literature review and semistructured interviews with 23 office building occupants was used to develop a questionnaire survey consisting of 33 design features. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, normalized mean score ranking technique, overlapping analysis, and Spearman's correlation analysis were used to analyze 206 valid responses. The findings highlighted 11 key design features that simultaneously support office building occupants' health, well-being, and productivity. The design features are air quality, clean drinking water, comfortable artificial lighting, adjustable workstation, comfortable temperature, sufficient space, security system, safety at parking lots, cleanliness, efficiency in building services, and safe design. From these, the last six key design features are absent from the existing WELL Building Standard. The study findings provide new insights into the body of knowledge on WELL building. Industry practitioners can use the findings in designing, planning, and maintaining office buildings that support health, well-being, and productivity. Additionally, policymakers can establish an alternative rating tool for evaluating office buildings. Practical Applications: The study aims to explore the key design features that support building occupants' health, well-being, and productivity in office buildings. Building occupants' health, well-being, and productivity are the three aspects that can be defined as WELL per the WELL Building Standard. The poor indoor environment of office buildings can negatively impact health and well-being and decrease employee productivity, which results in organizational losses. Hence, design features that support building occupants' health, well-being, and productivity should be considered for office buildings. In this study, 11 key design features have been identified to support occupants' health, well-being, and productivity for office buildings: air quality, clean drinking water, comfortable artificial lighting, adjustable workstation, comfortable temperature, sufficient space, security system, safety at parking lots, cleanliness, efficiency in building services, and safe design. With reference to the key design features, clients can stipulate requirements for WELL office buildings, and design consultants can comprehensively integrate the key design features into office buildings. The study also raises public awareness about the value of WELL building in delivering a quality lifestyle, overarching human health, well-being, and productivity.