Is your office building generating wellbeing?

This week, 2degrees has become New Zealand’s first company to achieve a platinum level designation under the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL v2 certification.

Late in 2020 when the company announced its intention to seek the WELL accreditation along with a 6-star Green Star rating for the building, 2degrees CEO, Mark Aue said, “the move to the new building provided the telco with a unique opportunity to shape the way it works and the WELL certification was vital to that.”

“This milestone is a significant step in 2degrees’ health and wellness mission to have the healthiest team in New Zealand. WELL recognises the integration of our building with our people, working together to support health and well-being,” said Ben Blackmore, head of property at 2degrees.

The international standards provide a roadmap for businesses seeking to create office spaces that advance human health and wellbeing. It’s the first building standard of its kind in the world and companies that sign up to it are assessed against criteria from 3 areas, behavioural operational and design.

To achieve the certification, which was accredited to the company’s head office site on Fanshawe St, 2degrees’ fitout had to adhere to rigorous performance standards for design interventions, operational protocols, and company-wide practices.

Building architects Warren and Mahoney included many positive wellbeing features within the fitout including the installation of Kaiterra Sensors that provide real-time information on office air quality by monitoring levels of dust, volatile organic compounds, humidity, temperature, and CO2 levels.

Other design features include lighting that elevates circadian rhythm, sound mapping and the use of different materials that provide acoustic performance and supports different ways of working and the usability of each space.

Employees and their guests can help themselves to fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs grown on a balcony outside the staff hub and they can be sure they’re washing down their nutritious snack with the cleanest water possible as the buildings water quality is tested against the WELL requirements for sediment, bacteria, organic and inorganic contaminants, as well as taste properties.

Activity and movement are encouraged via the central blue staircase and the large open view across the floors provides connection of teams to the greater business. The use of bold colours and quirky graphics around the building provide staff with what Asha Page, interior and workplace designer at Warren and Mahoney, refers to as “delightful moments.”

“The 2degrees workplace design is based on three strong design narratives - be audacious, be the protagonist, and be heroic,” said Page however the building still gives access to restorative areas for hauora (wellness) including the Harikoa room that is used for meditation, prayer and yoga. 

“Fostering a workplace environment that has a positive impact on the health and well-being of our people is our number one priority. We are very proud to have led the country in this space,” Blackmore continued.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted many organisations to a remote or hybrid working approach, and our commitment to employee well-being means that when our people choose to be in the office, we want to ensure it is a space that helps them thrive. Our Fanshawe Street building allows people to choose how they want to work, where they want to work, and what they want from their workplace.”