Beauty and design II

A beautiful and meaningful space in which design aesthetics are expressly considered can have a positive impact on occupant morale and mood. Elements that provide visual complexity, balance and proportion can impart a sense of comfort and ease and potentially reduce stress.

This feature realizes the application of best practice guidelines, room proportions, integration of artwork and interventions that enhance familiarity to create a visually appealing space.

Part 1: Ceiling Height

Ceiling height that is proportional to room dimension provides an expansive, comfortable and open feel to interior space. Floor to ceiling heights for regularly occupied spaces meet the following requirements:

a) Rooms of width 9 m [30 ft] or less have ceiling height of at least 2.75 m [9 ft].

b) Rooms of width greater than 9 m [30 ft] have ceiling height of at least 2.75 m [9 ft] plus at least 0.15 m [0.5 ft] for every 3 m [10 ft] over 9 m [30 ft].

Part 2: Artwork

Integration of artwork to interior space adds complexity to the visual field. The following requirements are met:

a) Entrances and lobbies contain at a minimum one sculptural piece and 2 additional pieces of hung artwork for every 74 m² [800 ft²] of space.

b) Every regularly occupied space greater than 28 m² [300 ft²] includes at least one piece of artwork and an additional piece for every additional 19 m² [200 ft²].

Part 3: Spatial Familiarity

Artwork can be used to establish wayfinding, aid in orientation and provide spatial familiarity. The following requirements are met:

a) Regularly occupied spaces of 929 m² [10,000 ft²] or larger on a single floor establish point of reference every 372 m² [4000 ft²] through use of artwork that is distinct in shape and color, adequately illuminated and at least 1.8 m [5.9 ft] in height.

b) Single regularly occupied spaces over 372 m² [4000 ft²] are visually grouped into 2 or more zones through the use of at least 2 or 3 of the following unifying design elements: (i) lighting, (ii) furniture color and (iii) flooring pattern/color.

c) Corridors over 9 m [30 ft] in length end in artwork or a view window to the exterior with a sill height no taller than 91 cm [3 ft] from the floor and with at least a 30 m [100 ft] vista.

Part 4: (OLD) Ceiling Height in Unfinished Spaces

Space where all walls are not yet constructed must meet the following requirement:

a) At least 2.75 m [9 ft].

Nervous

	Core & Shell	New Construction	WELL Interiors
Part 1: Ceiling Height	-	O	O
Part 2: Artwork	-	O	O
Part 3: Spatial Familiarity	-	O	O
Part 4: (OLD) Ceiling Height in Unfinished Spaces	-	-	-

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Retail
Part 1: Ceiling Height	O	O	O	O
Part 2: Artwork	O	O	O	O
Part 3: Spatial Familiarity	-	O	O	O
Part 4: (OLD) Ceiling Height in Unfinished Spaces	-	-	-	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Annotated Documents	On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design) Ceiling Height	Architectural Drawing	Spot Check
PART 2 (Design) Artwork		Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design) Spatial Familiarity		Auditor Inspection

Show Standard Citations

38

**Queensland Health. Queensland Health Wayfinding Design Guidelines. http://www.health.qld.gov.au/qhpolicy/docs/gdl/qh-gdl-343-6-1.pdf. Published 2010. Accessed September 15, 2014.**
99.3.a	Queensland Health's Wayfinding Guidelines recommend easy to recognize, memorable landmarks such as fountains, sculptures and natural views to help establish wayfinding markers.

96

**The New South Wales Planning Department. The Residential Flat Design Code. http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/programservices/pdf/designcode/03_part03_a.pdf. Published 2002. Accessed September 15, 2014.**
99.1.a	New South Wales Department of Planning's Residential Flat Design Code recommends a minimum ceiling height of 2.7 m [8.8 ft] in all habitable rooms and 2.4 m [7.8 ft] for all non-habitable rooms.

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

99. Beauty and design II