Adaptable spaces

Healthy work environments should be designed to mitigate stress and optimize productivity, and should therefore be sufficiently adaptable for working, focusing, collaborating, and resting as needed.

This feature creates a productive work environment that is free of distracting stimuli and includes spaces that are designed for focused work and that encourage short naps.

Part 1: Stimuli Management

Seating and spatial layouts are organized into separate workplace zones and provide differing degrees of sensory engagement. Regularly occupied spaces that are 372 m² [4000 ft²] or larger provide separate zones for the following (the remaining 50% is attributed as desired):

a) Collaboration zones taking up at least 25% of the space, no more than 4 seats per 19 m² [200 ft²] and at minimum, one visual vertical surface area for sharing ideas or work.

b) Focus zones taking up at least 25% of the space, enclosable or semi-enclosable rooms with no more than 2 seats per 19 m² [200 ft²].

Part 2: Privacy

Areas greater than 1860 m² [20,000 ft²] provide at least one privacy room to unwind, focus and meditate. Space(s) meet three of the following requirements:

a) Are at least 7 m² [75 ft²] for every 372 m² [4000 ft²].

b) Provide ambient lights at 200 lux [19 fc] or less and 2700 K or less.

c) Include a plant wall covering at minimum 50% of a wall or potted plants covering at minimum 15% of the floor area.

d) Include a water feature at least 60 cm [2 ft] in height.

e) Have Noise Criteria (NC) at 30 or better as measured from within the space.

f) Provide an audio device with a selection of nature sounds and volume control.

g) Provide at least 3 different types of seats; cushioned reclining chair, floor chair with back support and at least 3 meditation cushions of varying sizes.

h) Provide storage cabinets with closeable doors for shoes, mats, blankets and cushions.

Part 3: Space Management

To minimize clutter and maintain a comfortable, well-organized environment, minimal storage requirements are addressed through the provision of:

a) Allow at minimum 1.5 m² [15 ft²] built in, overhead storage cabinet spaces per 20 m² [215 ft²].

b) A locker for each regular occupant with 1 or more shelves, at least 0.25 m² [9 ft²] in volume.

Part 4: Workplace Sleep Support

Short naps are an effective and healthy means for improving mental and physical acuity, even more so than caffeine, which can disrupt sleep. To facilitate occupant alertness, provide adequate space to accommodate one or more of the following furniture options; at least one of which must be provided for the first 30 regular building occupants and an additional one for every 100 regular building occupants thereafter:

a) Couch.

b) Cushioned roll-out mat.

c) Sleep pod.

d) Fully reclining chair.

e) Hammock.

Part 99: Social Interaction (PENDING)

Social connection and community is one of the most potent protective factors against stress. Opportunity for non-work related socializing must be made available in regularly occupied areas 372 m² [4000 ft²] or larger through the provision of a social zone taking up at minimum 10% of the space, with at least 4 seats per 19 m² [200 ft²] and providing:

a) Access to at minimum 1 of 3 physically engaging games: Ping-Pong, foosball or dart board.

b) Access to at minimum 3 of 8 non-physical games: chess, Scrabble, checkers, Monopoly, Mah Jongg, Risk, backgammon or Battleship.

c) WELL Building Standard approved beverages.

d) Furniture combination that supports varying postures, at minimum 2 of the following 4 types: ergonomic stool, two-person couch, ball chair or standing table.

Cardiovascular

Immune

	Core & Shell	New Construction	WELL Interiors
Part 1: Stimuli Management	-	O	O
Part 2: Privacy	-	O	O
Part 3: Space Management	-	O	O
Part 4: Workplace Sleep Support	-	O	O
Part 99: Social Interaction (PENDING)	-	-	-

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Retail
Part 1: Stimuli Management	-	O	-	-
Part 2: Privacy	-	O	-	-
Part 3: Space Management	-	-	-	-
Part 4: Workplace Sleep Support	-	-	-	-
Part 99: Social Interaction (PENDING)	-	-	-	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	Annotated Documents	On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design) Stimuli Management	Architect		Spot Check
PART 2 (Design) Privacy	Architect		Spot Check
PART 4 (Protocol) Workplace Sleep Support		Policy Document	Spot Check

Show Standard Citations

52

Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Twelve Simple Tips to Improve Your Sleep. http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting/overcoming/tips. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Medical School; December 2007. Accessed September 15, 2014.
89.4.a	Harvard Department of Sleep Medicine's Overcoming Factors that Interfere with Sleep indicates that napping prior to 5:00 PM can be helpful to recovering from fatigue without interfering with the sleep drive.
89.4.b	Harvard Department of Sleep Medicine's Overcoming Factors that Interfere with Sleep indicates that napping prior to 5:00 PM can be helpful to recovering from fatigue without interfering with the sleep drive.
89.4.c	Harvard Department of Sleep Medicine's Overcoming Factors that Interfere with Sleep indicates that napping prior to 5:00 PM can be helpful to recovering from fatigue without interfering with the sleep drive.
89.4.d	Harvard Department of Sleep Medicine's Overcoming Factors that Interfere with Sleep indicates that napping prior to 5:00 PM can be helpful to recovering from fatigue without interfering with the sleep drive.
89.4.e	Harvard Department of Sleep Medicine's Overcoming Factors that Interfere with Sleep indicates that napping prior to 5:00 PM can be helpful to recovering from fatigue without interfering with the sleep drive.

This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

89. Adaptable spaces