Indoor Environmental Quality Performance: Based on measurements of carbon dioxide and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). The GREENGUARD-certified desk limits introducing pollutants (VOCs) into the air.

Ergonomic Furniture/Bullpen

The ergonomic furniture and the bullpen desk configuration ensure the incorporation of the most sustainable materials. The ergonomic design promotes physical well-being, enhanced productivity, and higher workplace satisfaction.

WELL Concepts and Features–Materials, Movement, Air
WELL Concept: Materials
WELL Feature: X05 Enhanced Materials Restrictions
Summary: Requires restricting chemicals found in products commonly installed in buildings.

WELL Concept: Movement
WELL Feature: V07 Active Furnishings
Summary: Requires projects to provide ample active workstations, such as a sit-stand or treadmill desk.

WELL Concept: Air
WELL Feature: A01 Air Quality
Summary: Requires projects to provide acceptable air quality levels, as determined by public health authorities.

Relevant LEED Credits:
Indoor Environmental Quality Performance: Based on measurements of carbon dioxide and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). GREENGUARD-certified pieces limit the introduction of pollutants (VOCs) into the air.

Carpet and LVT Flooring

Woodgrain pattern LVT flooring and carpet tile from an environmentally responsible company cover the office floor. The carpet company recycles discarded fishing nets from the world's poorest coastal communities and repurposes them into new carpet fibers. The carpeting and luxury vinyl tile specified help move the project toward certification in two ways: absorbing unwanted sound and sourcing materials. The latter satisfied low VOC requirements as well as responsible sourcing.

WELL Concepts and Features–Sound, Materials
Well Concept: Sound
Well Feature: S05 Sound Reducing Surfaces
Summary: Requires the use of acoustic materials that absorb and/or block sound to support concentration and reduce reverberation.

WELL Concept: Materials
WELL Feature: X06 VOC Restrictions
Summary: Requires adherence to emission thresholds for materials placed inside the building envelope.

Relevant LEED Credits
Sourcing of Raw Materials: Projects must use products from various manufacturers that meet specific responsible sourcing and extraction criteria for at least 15 percent by cost of the total value of permanently installed building products in the project.

Sound Masking System & Acoustic Ceilings

A sound masking system included in the addition and renovation helps reduce distractions so that building occupants in an open space have more focus. "When dealing with an open plan layout, acoustics can be particularly challenging," Brekka noted.

Three main strategies create good acoustic design: Absorb noise, block noise, and cover noise. "We used high NRC-rated ceilings and carpets to help absorb unwanted noise levels," Brekka said. "We looked closely at the STC ratings, the sound transmission co-efficient, to ensure that we had proper speech privacy in the areas where Excel needed that to have a private conversation. For cover, we used a sound-masking system that creates a white noise engineered to be tuned to the frequency of human speech. It allows for better concentration in an open plan and less distraction."

WELL Concepts and Features–Sound
WELL Concept: Sound
WELL Feature: S06 Minimum Background Sound
Summary: Requires the use of dedicated artificial sound to increase speech privacy between occupied spaces uniformly.

Relevant LEED Credits
Acoustic Performance: Requires projects to implement best practices for acoustics, including minimizing HVAC background noise, meeting specific sound transmission requirements, or meeting specific reverberation requirements.