In addition to being the first company to receive Fitwel certifications for its buildings, Alexandria Real Estate Equities recently announced it has become the first and only real estate investment trust to be named a First-in-Class Fitwell Champion. Among the company’s buildings that have received Fitwel certifications, five have earned a three-star Fitwel rating, the highest rating achievable.
Fitwel is an evidence-based building standard developed by experts in the fields of public health and design, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the General Services Administration. Fitwel’s purpose is to foster positive impacts on building occupant health and productivity by improving workplace design and instituting new workplace policies. The ratings program is operated by the Center for Active Design.
When undergoing a Fitwel certification evaluation, every aspect of the building and office environments are taken into consideration, such as proximity to public transit, access to fitness facilities, the design of outdoor spaces, indoor air quality, and healthy food options.
Research from the CDC has shown buildings that promote occupant health through programs, policies, and environmental changes can not only improve and support employee health, but also increase productivity and garner potential savings in healthcare costs.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Turner, Webcor, Hensel Phelps top BD+C's list of the 75 largest green contractors
With more than $3 billion in value of construction put in place for green buildings in 2008, Turner Construction tops BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s 75 largest green contractors, published as part of the Giants 300 report. Webcor Builders ($2.27 billion), Hensel Phelps Construction ($2.10 billion), The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. ($1.97 billion), and Clark Group ($1.89 billion) round out the top five.
| Aug 11, 2010
Free waterproofing and roofing resource handbook available from American Hydrotech
American Hydrotech is now offering a waterproofing and roofing resource handbook for all architects and design community professionals. Topics include sustainable design, waterproof product specification, and proper installation techniques for use by building professionals in designing and waterproofing roof decks, plazas, vertical foundations, reflecting pools, and green roof applications.
| Aug 11, 2010
Perkins Eastman designing next gen trading floor for NYSE EURONEXT
The New York office of international design and architecture firm Perkins Eastman has been commissioned by NYSE Euronext to design the “next generation trading floor” through extensive renovations to the floor’s Main Room, replacing traditional broker booths with modern trading desks, new screens and workspaces, and a new network while creating a unified trading environment.
| Aug 11, 2010
National Association of Governors adopts AIA policy of reaching carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030
As part of their comprehensive national Energy Conservation and Improved Energy Efficiency policy, the National Association of Governors (NGA) has adopted the promotion of carbon neutral new and renovated buildings by 2030 as outlined by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
| Aug 11, 2010
World-Class Revival on Utah’s Capitol Hill
Since 1916, the Utah State Capitol building has served as the foundation of Utah’s government, housing the state legislature operations as well as the offices of the governor, attorney general, and treasurer. But after decades of wear and tear and numerous short-sighted modernization attempts, Utah’s rock was on the verge of crumbling.
| Aug 11, 2010
MulvannyG2 Architecture wins “Best Mixed-use Development—Future” award
MulvannyG2 Architecture’s project, Aquapearl in Taipei, Taiwan, was honored by Cityscape Asia 2009 as the “Best Mixed-use Development -Future” on May 20, 2009 at the annual conference in Singapore.
| Aug 11, 2010
IFMA announces new Religious Facilities Community of practice
The International Facility Management Association is pleased to announce the formation of the Religious Facilities Community, a new community of practice devoted to those who work as full-time, part-time or volunteer facility managers in their houses of worship. IFMA’s communities of practice are organized special interest groups that unite members of specific industries not represented by the association’s councils.
| Aug 11, 2010
REDD and Corcoran Group Real Estate developing eco-friendly boutique condos in Brooklyn's Vinegar Hill
REDD and Corcoran Group Real Estate are developing 100 Gold, a 10-unit boutique condominium complex in Brooklyn's Vinegar Hill that consists of (6) one bedrooms, (2) duplex studios—one with a private yard, and (2) penthouses—duplex apartments with one bedroom and loft, and private terraces.
