WELL-Designed

The WELL Building Standard™ acts as a map, creating a customizable path that leads building owners and designers to create a space that inspires healthier, more productive, and happier people. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) explains this as, “a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing, through airwaternourishmentlightfitnesscomfort, and mind.”

In other words, WELL projects implement measures, based on the seven areas above, in building design and tracks the results to confirm that the measures taken actually result in positive change. These measures help buildings become an extension of a person’s environment, rather than simply a structure.

Located in Omaha, Nebraska, our corporate headquarters space is a prime example of a facility built to WELL standards. Alvine Engineering’s corporate headquarters office was awarded WELL Certified™ Gold and is the first WELL Certified Gold space in Nebraska.

Alvine Engineering WELL Certified Gold

Air

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, making indoor air quality crucial.

  • Our air handlers feature activated carbon filtration even after the initial MERV 13 filtration.
  • We conduct quarterly mold and microbe inspections, in addition to other cleaning protocols that reduce the likelihood of transmitting illness.
View inside the mechanical room at 1201 Cass

Water

Being water conscious can take many forms: from encouraging hydration to reducing water use during daily chores, such as dishwashing, little changes make a big difference.

  • A hydration station is located within 100 feet of all regular work stations.
  • Commercial under-counter style dishwashers found in the dining areas use less than one gallon of water per 90-second cycle, while cleaning and sanitizing with a 180-degree rinse.
Alvine Engineering Corporate Office, 1201 Cass Street

Nourishment

A healthy diet is an essential part of our overall health. We support the nourishment of our employees by offering healthy food and beverage options.

  • Food items sold in our dining space cannot contain partially-hydrogenated oil, more commonly known as trans fat, which can negatively impact heart health over time.
  • At least 50% of beverage options provided have 1 gram of sugar or less per 16 mL.
Alvine Engineering Corporate Office, 1201 Cass Street

Light

We are constantly learning more about the impact of light on our overall health, including our mental health and sleep cycle. Incorporating daylight in offices and schools can also increase productivity among employees and students.

  • A curtain wall provides ample daylight in work and recreation areas.
  • The shades and color temperature of the electric light fixtures are programmed to adjust from sunrise to sunset, blending cohesively with the daylight and reinforcing a healthy circadian rhythm.

Fitness

Encouraging physical fitness through building design may seem challenging, but we use some creative solutions, including wayfinding which uses building fixtures or architecture to promote a more physical route through the space.

  • A recessed line of light running along the floor, then up the walls, serves as a visible suggestion to take the central stair, rather than the elevator.
  • Sit/stand desks and under-desk bikes offer employees fitness options in personal workspaces.
Alvine Engineering Corporate Office, 1201 Cass Street

Comfort

Employee comfort can also have an impact on productivity, which is why we try to give employees options from temperature to seating.

  • The underfloor air distribution systems throughout the office allow each workstation to have control of the airflow at each desk, so users can control how much cool air circulates around them.
  • Employees also have different workspace options throughout the office from tables to benches, sitting or standing.
Alvine Engineering Corporate Office, 1201 Cass Street

Mind

Mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand, making the mind a top priority when it comes to encouraging a healthy lifestyle. One way to do this in a building is to promote biophilia or a connection to nature.

  • Our reception desk features light fixtures with custom controls that shift in color and saturation as outdoor temperature and wind speed change.
  • Employees also enjoy access to an outdoor patio and views of the green roof.

Can I see WELL design for myself?

One of the goals of our building was to create a living learning lab where engineering is on display for students, colleagues, and the community. Throughout the building, systems are exposed and available for demonstrations to visitors. In fact, over 100 tours of the space and systems have been given to visitors including architectural, engineering, student, and owner groups, many of whom have taken some of the concepts and used them in their own designs. Make sure to schedule a tour with us today by clicking the “Contact Us” button!

Want to learn more now? Read What is the WELL Building Standard™? for more information about WELL or What Does a WELL-Designed Building Look Like? for more on how we integrated WELL concepts into our corporate headquarters.