14 DAY TRIAL // As a result of the global push towards sustainable development, several new building standards have emerged over the past few years.
Most of them have to do with reducing the ecological footprint of various construction projects by cutting down on electricity consumption and by allowing better management of other types of resources.
However, this year's Clinton Global Initiative witnessed the announcement of a new building standard that is to focus entirely on public health and the wellbeing of citizens required to carry on with their daily routine in various buildings.
To cut a long story short, if previous such standards aimed at upping the number of energy and resource efficient buildings, this new standard will promote the development of so-called healthy buildings.
As Tree Hugger explains, the WELL Building Standard™ is to push for the use of nontoxic materials and more efficient ventilation systems, not to mention that it will also significantly cut down on the levels of pollution people living or working in various buildings are presently exposed to.
Moreover, engineers and architects will be presented with the task of designing and building indoor environments that encourage people to be more active than they presently are.
Commenting on the building standards now up and running, Jason F. McLennan, who is very fond of sustainable development and green living, wished to emphasize that, “Health is an issue that's looked at in those programs, but they don't have stringent enough standards on health or wellness.”
Sources report that Delos®, the pioneer of Wellness Real Estate™, will be the one in charge of the success of this project, meaning that this developer is to soon build several hotels, offices and residential areas that abide by this new standard.
Morad Fareed, co-founder of Delos, told members of the press that, “Just as LEED set the standard for environmental building, WELL addresses an equally critical input, which is enhanced human health and wellbeing.”