Steelcase® Shanghai WorkLife Center Achieves LEED Gold and WELL Silver Certifications
SHANGHAI – Aug 22, 2019 – Steelcase has achieved LEED Gold and WELL Silver Certifications, which makes it the first Steelcase WorkLife globally to receive certification by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), and also the first WorkLife Center in Asia Pacific to achieve dual certification by two of the world’s leading sustainability institutes.
“We are very proud to demonstrate international best practice in workplace design, aiming towards optimal health and productivity for our customers through these achievements. Being one of the first ten interior projects in China to be awarded with both LEED and WELL certification is also a testament to our strong belief that sustainability is about people. We are committed to setting an example of creating and supporting the economic, environmental and social conditions that allow people and communities to reach their full potential. ” said Maria Bourke, Communications Director, Steelcase Asia Pacific.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the LEED Standard is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement in environmental responsibility and efficient use of resources. Steelcase Shanghai WorkLife Center was the first project within the company to be certified under “LEED v4”, the latest rating system that takes a more performance-based approach to design, operations and maintenance, driving innovation in every aspect of the building lifecycle, which leads to greater overall benefit to the environmental, human health and communities.
Whilst LEED set standards for building sustainability and energy efficiency, IWBI’s Well Building Standard – launched in October 2014 – is the first rating system to focus exclusively on occupant ergonomics, health, mindfulness and wellness. Its stringent certification process encompasses multiple stages of performance verification, which entail on-site performance evaluations and rigorous tests on the quality of air, water, light, thermal comfort, sound, materials, as well as the building’s impact on mind and community – conducted by WELL Performance Testing Agent. Data captured from each applicable feature are then reviewed by a Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI) WELL Reviewer before final evaluation is made and a rating is given.
Supported by Steelcase’s on-going research and insights surrounding wellbeing in the workplace and biophilic design, the new WorkLife Center – designed by M Moser Associates and Steelcase design team received WELL Certification upon the first stage of performance verification. Some of the compelling features that helped Steelcase achieve this recognition include:
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- A real-time air quality monitoring system installed to display indoor air quality indexing on a public display, including PM2.5, TVOC, carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity
- An air filtration system mounted on the ceiling to reduce PM2.5 particles.
- A Daylight Control System that controls 76% of lighting, working alongside sensors to maximise energy efficiency.
- Acoustic panels installed in meeting rooms and on HVAC system ducts to reduce noise levels, providing a comfortable work environment.
- WorkCafe, an F&B facility within that Center, offering only low-sugar food and drinks to promote healthy eating for both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Located in Shanghai, a global metropolis of the future that is pioneering the country’s ambitious environmental initiatives, Steelcase’s newest WorkLife Center was also designed to enable effective recycling and equipped to monitor quantifiable environmental metric on an ongoing basis.
“Since its opening in January 2019, Steelcase Shanghai WorkLife Center has been a wonderful platform to showcase how innovative design, insight and putting wellness in workplace can change the way people live and work. We are thrilled with what the space has achieved so far, and we look forward to welcoming a wider community here, for them to experience first-hand our workplace for the future.” said Thunder Ray, Managing Director of Steelcase PRC.
Steelcase Shanghai WorkLife Center is located at HKRI Center, Taikoo Hui. To arrange a visit, please contact +86 (001) 404 523 2201 or yzhao1@steelcase.com.
About Steelcase Inc.
For over 107 years, Steelcase Inc. has helped create great experiences for the world’s leading organizations, across industries. We demonstrate this through our family of brands – including Steelcase®, Coalesse®, Designtex®, PolyVision®, Turnstone®, Smith System®, Orangebox® and AMQ®. Together, they offer a comprehensive portfolio of architecture, furniture and technology products and services designed to unlock human promise and support social, economic and environmental sustainability. We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including over 800 Steelcase dealer locations. Steelcase is a global, industry-leading and publicly traded company with fiscal 2019 revenue of $3.4 billion.