Leopardo Companies has been awarded WELL certification at the gold level for its Chicago office by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The prestigious distinction was awarded through IWBI’s WELL Building Standard (WELL), a building standard focusing on enhancing people’s health and wellness through the buildings in which we live, work and play.
Leopardo completed construction in 2018 of the 210 N. Carpenter building in Fulton Market, which included the build-out of its new downtown office. The project is currently also seeking LEED certification, and when certified will be among the first dual-certified spaces in Chicago. The 24,000-square-foot office was designed to meet dual certification with the team of Partners by Design, Syska Hennessy, Arup, WSP and Henricksen.
A wide range of elements from building design and construction to operational and policy level strategies contributed to Leopardo’s office achieving the WELL-certified Gold rating. The space was constructed using low-emitting materials, biophilic design and features, including live plantings equaling more than 1 percent of the floor area, as well as circadian lighting.
With a focus on employee health and comfort, all workstations feature ergonomic task seating and adjustable sit-to-stand desks, while floor-to-ceiling windows allow for natural light to illuminate the entire space. The office also features numerous common areas, a wellness room, artwork and cultural pieces, game room with golf simulator, as well as a cafe offering employees healthy snacks and beverages. Policies focusing on employee benefits like fitness, altruism and volunteerism were also added to improve the overall employee experience.
“At a time when the health and safety of the places in which we live and work is of critical importance, Leopardo is proud to lead the way by delivering a WELL-certified space to our Chicago staff and clients,” said Leopardo director of sustainability and WELL AP Patty Lloyd.
Created through years of rigorous research and development working with leading physicians, scientists and industry professionals, the WELL Building Standard is a performance-based certification system that marries best practices in design and construction with evidence-based scientific research that explores the connection between the buildings in which people spend much of their time and the health and wellness impacts on those people.
