Unveiling the Future: Wellness Design Trends for Home and Office in 2024

As we approach a new year, our understanding of wellness is evolving, influencing the way we design our living and working spaces. The wellness design trends of 2024 are steering our homes and offices toward a future where health and productivity coexist seamlessly. Whether it’s real-time IAQ sensors ensuring the purity of our home and office air or thoughtfully designed event spaces fostering community in the workplace, these trends are a testament to creating environments that prioritize well-being. As we embrace these innovations, we move closer to a world where our surroundings actively contribute to our physical and mental health. Let’s delve into the upcoming trends that promise to shape our environments for the better.

Real-time Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Sensors

In 2024, our homes and offices can become smarter and healthier with the integration of real-time IAQ sensors. These sensors constantly monitor the air quality, providing instant feedback on pollutants and suggesting improvements. This technology ensures that the air we breathe at home and at the office is as clean and fresh as possible, promoting a healthier living environment for everyone.

Smart Lighting Systems

Intelligent lighting systems are becoming integral to office wellness design and have grown in popularity. These systems adjust the lighting based on circadian rhythms, promoting better sleep patterns and overall health. Implementing such technology not only enhances the visual appeal of the workspace but also positively influences a person’s well-being.

Biophilic Design Elements

Taking center stage in both homes and office spaces, nature-inspired design is a prevailing trend. Biophilic design seamlessly incorporates natural elements like indoor plants, abundant natural light, and sustainable materials to curate a harmonious and calming atmosphere. This design philosophy not only elevates aesthetics but also actively promotes mental well-being by establishing a profound connection between residents and the natural world.

Adaptable and Multi-functional Spaces

The concept of versatile spaces is gaining widespread popularity. Furniture and layouts that seamlessly adapt to various activities ensure that both homes and offices are optimized for both work and leisure. The strategic design of common spaces, prioritizing relaxation, social interaction, and rejuvenation, contributes significantly to a positive work environment. Inviting features such as comfortable seating, ample natural light, and greenery cultivate spaces that encourage collaboration and provide mental refreshment.

Event Spaces for Health and Team-building

Departing from the conventional office setup, 2024 witnesses the ascent of designated event spaces designed to promote health and team-building activities. Whether it’s a yoga studio or gym space at home or the office, or engaging wellness workshops, these spaces actively encourage employees to take breaks, recharge, and foster a sense of community within the workplace.

In essence, the wellness design trends of 2024 are propelling our homes and offices toward a future where health and productivity coalesce seamlessly. Whether it’s the real-time IAQ sensors ensuring the purity of the air in our homes and offices or the thoughtfully designed event spaces fostering a sense of community in the workplace, these trends underscore our commitment to creating environments that prioritize well-being. As we embrace these innovations, we are moving closer to a world where our surroundings actively contribute to our physical and mental health.

WELL Programs & Ratings: What’s the Difference?

In the CRE industry, WELL programs are gaining traction. In 2022, there was a fourfold increase over 18 months with the enrollment of spaces under WELL programs. As landlords seek to differentiate themselves through enhanced health and wellness offerings, WELL can provide a streamlined and third-party verified measure of impact. However, as the amount of wellness certifications on the market increase, it can be difficult to determine which one is ideal for your organization. Below, we break down the difference between WELL Certification and Ratings.

WELL Certification

WELL Certification, developed by the IWBI, advances health and well-being through applying strategies across 10 concepts:

Air

Water

Nourishment

Light

Movement

Thermal Comfort

Sound

Materials

Mind

Community

These 10 concepts are reflected in the WELL Building Standard, which contains over 100 features. WELL Certification advances and optimizes design interventions, and operational protocols and policies. The most comprehensive wellness certification on the market, WELL Certification is third-party certified by the GBCI, which also oversees the popular LEED Certification. In 2022, our Corporate Sustainability team worked closely with our client to achieve WELL Certification at the largest office complex in Canada. As of 2023, the GBCI also offers WELL and LEED alignment documents, which allow projects to achieve both certifications with slightly reduced effort.   

WELL Ratings

WELL Ratings are lite programs that are less comprehensive than full WELL Certification. As a result, they are often easier to achieve, and require less investment. However, achieving WELL Ratings can often make it easier to go for Certification, if a project chooses to do so in the future.   

WELL Health-Safety Rating (HSR)

WELL HSR was developed to meet the highest standards of health and safety under COVID. With a heavy focus on maintenance, engagement and continuity, and safety preparedness, HSR has been highly adopted in the North American CRE market. As a rating, WELL HSR has limited ongoing requirements and does not require on-site testing – making it an approachable solution for projects looking to encourage tenants back into the office. Over the last 3 years, our Corporate Sustainability team helped a client achieve HSR at 29 office properties across Canada, as well as managed the renewal process.

WELL Performance Rating

WELL Performance Rating enhances indoor environmental quality, by measuring and benchmarking IEQ conditions. Seen as a way for projects to maintain air and water quality, along with other occupant experience areas in a post-COVID world, the Performance Rating also encourages the use of sensors and other continuous monitoring techniques.

WELL Equity Rating

A newer Rating, the Equity Rating focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion – promoting accessibility and reduced disparity when it comes to occupant experience in a space. Achievable for both organizations and spaces, the Equity Rating has been taken up by Canadian early adopters such as Ivanhoé Cambridge and Canderel Group.

Think Outside the Box with these Sustainable Gift Giving Tips

The holidays are a time to celebrate and reflect on the joy in our lives. Often, that turns to giving gifts and stressing over what gifts to give. To counter any potential excess or waste, think about giving consciously. Incorporating sustainability into the holidays can show how you’ve put extra thought behind your gift. When you’re tackling your shopping list this winter, try keeping these following tips in mind:

For Someone Close to You: Set Expectations

To reduce confusion and waste, ask your recipient if there’s something particular they want for Christmas. This can be a specific item or a category of items, such as winter clothing or books. If they’re hesitant to share but are open to the idea of swapping gift ideas, consider exchanging a wish list with options at various price points.

For the Person Who Has Everything: Try Your Hand at DIY

For someone whose perpetual response is “I don’t need anything,” try your hand at a homemade gift from the kitchen. Creative gifts add a heartfelt touch and can be used to assemble a gourmet basket, or as a one-of-a-kind stocking stuffer. Beginners can try easy recipes for hot chocolate mix, tea blends, and spice mixes – including an everything but the bagel seasoning. For those knowledgeable in the kitchen, consider making a chili crisp, or a quick red sauce, preserved in a canning jar. To go the extra mile, try this incredibly-easy no-knead focaccia recipe. Think of ways you can elevate the gift, such as packaging it in a reusable mason jar or kraft paper, wrapped with a luxurious ribbon or twine, and twigs or pine branches.

For Your Family: An Act of Service

Experiences and services are a memorable way to show your affection while encouraging your recipient to take some me-time. A service gift could include a massage, dance or music lessons, or even a new car wash. Experience gifts can include a local cooking course, tickets to a comedy show, or a new membership to your city’s museums and galleries. With options to suit all budgets, experiences and services are innately low-waste and sustainable.  

For Your Colleagues: Share Edible Treats

Give a sweet treat to your work acquaintances and friends by sharing something local. The past few years have emphasized the need to shop local and shop small, so why not try sharing a taste of your favourite treats or a sample of your favourite neighbourhood in the city? Around the holidays, many local stores release baskets filled with handmade creations, such as chocolate baskets, gourmet bread, limited edition beers, and fine jams. To shop ahead of time, try heading to your local retailer’s website or social media to see what they have to offer.

For Everyone: Slow Down and Connect with Others

It’s easy to lose sight of what the holidays should be about – connection and appreciation. Between shopping for gifts and wrapping up year-end projects, remember to enjoy meaningful time with your friends and loved ones. Set aside time to write thoughtful holiday cards and showing your gratitude for those who make you happy. If you are able to, consider committing to some charitable acts during the holiday season or in the new year. Keep in mind that the holidays mean different things to different people and that kindness goes a long way.

Consider Everything

Sustainable gift giving isn’t just about the item given, but the gift as a whole. Some questions to keep in mind can include:

  1. Do they really need or want this gift?
  2. What are the materials in this gift? Are they natural fibres and materials or made out of plastic?
  3. Did the workers who made this gift receive a fair wage and ethical working conditions?
  4. How long will this gift be useful for?
  5. If it’s an item of clothing, can I think of three different ways this article of clothing can be integrated into their wardrobe?
  6. Can this wrapping be recycled or easily taken apart to be recycled?
  7. Can I substitute a recyclable item for something recycled, such as paper tape?

Green gift giving can involve finding ways to lower the environmental impacts associated with shipping and delivery, packaging and waste, and even transporting the gift. As you’re preparing to wrap your gift, think about the wrapping paper, gift bag, and any ribbons or bows. Ask yourself if it can be recycled or repurposed. Not every gift needs to be purchased, and a big budget doesn’t necessarily equate to a better, more sustainable gift. Don’t worry if you can’t green all of these steps at once – start with one sustainable action and prioritize incorporating more for future gifts.

How Sustainability Encourages Long-Term Growth

The past year has shown that change is all around us. Decisions and practices that are made by businesses can have wide-ranging impacts, felt across the world.

With these unprecedented events, we’re encouraged to examine what we can do to prevent similar occurrences from happening again. It’s become clear that the traditional, wealth-focused way of doing things is not sustainable. Many organizations now know that success is not reflected as simple profits and losses, but rather represented through positive impacts to its stakeholders and the wider community.

The Triple Bottom Line

First coined by author John Elkington in 1994, the “triple bottom line” provides a regenerative and holistic business model that accounts for the Three P’s: people, planet, and profit. Acting as a roadmap for businesses over the long-term, the triple bottom line shifts from the idea that operating sustainably requires a trade-off from maintaining profitability.

As we can see from current trends, the triple bottom line is a business concept that is here to stay. Certified B-Corporations are a group of companies that balance social purpose with profit, disclosing their impacts on workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. Currently, big names such as Ben & Jerry’s, bdc, and Danone North America are certified as B-Corporations. ESG (environmental, social, and governance) indices, like GRI and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, are widely-used as a way to provide basic transparency to shareholders. Standards previously on the fringes of the industry are now mainstream and expected by stakeholders.

The Economic Value of Sustainability

While operating sustainably may require an initial investment, the strategies that are developed prioritizing the triple bottom line can generate long-term profits and a unique competitive advantage. According to McKinsey, companies with high ESG ratings are shown to consistently outperform the market both medium and long-term. Increasingly, customers are also demanding that companies prioritize sustainability and social causes.

As a starting point, the triple bottom line encourages us to rethink capitalism and prioritize innovation. Prioritizing people, planet, and profit challenges companies to differentiate their services from their competitors and others in the industry. As with all forward-thinking companies, unique business models can ensure longevity of the company and success for years to come.

Is Having a WELL Health-Safety Consultant Necessary?

Create a Successful Return to Work Strategy with the Health-Safety Rating

As Ontario progresses in its reopening strategy and opens a variety of outdoor amenities, many of us may be wondering when we can return to the indoor spaces we love. It’s no secret that many employees are starting to miss the office environment, from JP Morgan and Barclays planning to eventually bring back most of their workforce, to Ivanhoé Cambridge launching their “Do You Miss the Office?” podcast.

A successful return to work strategy centres around more than just physical distancing and mask mandates. From our Sustainability Group’s experience, tenants are unique and have different priorities when it comes to staying safe at the office. Opportunely, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)’s WELL Health-Safety Rating provides evidence-based best practices that communicate dedication to maintaining a safe indoor experience.

What is the WELL Health-Safety Rating?

Similar to the WELL Building Standard, the WELL Health-Safety Rating advances healthier and safer spaces through a set of rigorous criteria informed by years of research from IWBI. If your organization is looking to achieve the seal, it may be confusing to dive into the more than 20 features that comprise the Health-Safety Rating. Further, for organizations that are unfamiliar with the WELL Building Standard, there can be a substantial learning curve in starting out. As with all projects, the addition of a project manager in the form of a WELL consultant can be an invaluable asset.

WELL consultants are professionals that possess significant knowledge of human health and wellness in the built environment. For the Health-Safety Rating, WELL consultants wear many hats and may support clients by providing cost estimates, connecting with testing agents, planning timelines, producing verification documents, and launching creative marketing campaigns to promote achievement of the seal.

What are the Benefits of Having a WELL Consultant?

Gain Verified Expertise. A WELL consultant is often a WELL AP, an accredited professional with the IWBI who has the knowledge and expertise to transform human health and wellness in buildings and communities. WELL APs know the requirements of the rating inside-out, so that the client doesn’t have to. At the start of the project, the WELL consultant can help to establish a project budget with suggested stakeholders and vendors that will makeup the broader project team. They may also undertake a gap analysis that takes into consideration the project as a whole to identify what is needed to move forward and which criteria the building may be falling short on.

Save Time and Money. WELL consultants manage timelines and guide clients towards features they are most likely to achieve–minimizing time wasted and ensuring that property managers can focus on their most urgent tasks. Day-to-day, WELL consultants are available to answer questions, offer technical support, liaise with IWBI, and provide regular project updates–creating a seamless client experience. As the project manager, the consultant works independently and behind the scenes to ensure that all heavy lifting associated with the project is taken care of.

Find Synergies. If your organization chooses to pursue the Health-Safety Rating at multiple properties, a WELL consultant can manage and relay information between different project team members and third-party vendors to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page.

Develop Innovative Solutions. The WELL consultant applies their industry experience and background to help solve issues that arise and develop creative solutions to meet the criteria of the Health-Safety Rating. During the project, the consultant reviews policies and existing materials, creates new documentation for submission, and verifies information from third-party vendors and consultants in pursuit of ultimately achieving the building seal.

Attract and Retain Tenants. Following confirmation from GBCI that a property has achieved the Health-Safety Rating, the WELL consultant may be responsible for developing creative communications and initiatives that showcase the client’s commitment to health and wellness. The consultant helps the client show off their hard work and simultaneously supports them in attracting and retaining tenants.

Create Healthier Environments with Us

100% of our Sustainability team possesses the WELL AP credential. As full-time sustainability professionals, our team has extensive experience in guiding clients through WELL Certification. Over the past year, our team has worked with multiple properties in supporting their pursuit of the WELL Health-Safety Rating. Connect with us today to learn how we can support you in building a healthier environment at sustainability@premiercorp.ca.