We Are Well
Eco on the outside (LEED) and Healthy on the inside (WELL)
We Are Well
People: our best asset.
For years at Actiu we have decided to place the spotlight on people. We are looking for the right way to provide more well-being in order for people to live better, always from our use of creativity and capacity for furniture manufacturing. We are creating spaces that, by way of design, are efficient, comfortable and functional so that everybody can be their best self. This is both inside, looking at individuals' well-being, and outside, with comfort architecture that aims to sustainably manage resources, having a lower impact on the environment.
Along the way, we are primarily committed to the LEED Certificate and we have become the first industrial complex to achieve it. Now, we are committed to the Well Certification, which after several years of work, changes and improvements, allows us to confirm that we are the fifth industry in the world to obtain the Well V.2 Platinum Certification, the second in Europe and the first in Spain. And this, along with the LEED Platinum Certification obtained in 2017, makes us the first global industry to have both certifications.
This is a journey that, due to it beginning internally, has given us ample experience and knowledge in order to help others on the same projects. Furthermore, it joins to the LEED Platinum Certification, which measures the external architecture of the building and its sustainable handling of resources.
What is Well?
The WELL certification is a dynamic rating system for buildings and communities that enables the characteristics of the built spaces that impact the health and well-being of its occupants to be identified, measured and monitored. It is a certification that places value on aspects such as lighting, temperature or even people's mood.
Discover the 10 Well concepts
Water
It covers aspects such as the quality, distribution and control of liquid water in a building, as well as how it is managed and stored.
At Actiu, the quality of drinking water in the building is optimal and accessible, with fountains less than 30 metres from all occupied spaces. The water is filtered and there are well-equipped washing areas close to all employees. The water management in the building is carried out through underground tanks that can store up to 12,000 cubic metres collected on the complex's roofs.
See moreLight
It measures the integration of natural and artificial light to create well-lit environments focused on human health, which minimize the interruption of the circadian rhythm, improve comfort, lucidity and the quality of sleep at night.
At Actiu, at least 70% of work stations have direct access to natural light, with windows covered with roller blinds to control glare. The environment's design ensures that there are no changes in light between the different rooms, and the fact that at least 25% of the users can adjust the height of their desks and work standing up, allows the impact of the light on the screens to be modified, either horizontally or vertically.
See moreAir
The certification measures the quality of the air that is breathed inside the building through various strategies that include the elimination or reduction of sources of contamination or filtration.
At Actiu, over 75% of occupied space has automatic windows. The air conditioners have filters for suspended particles and there is no cooling thanks to the implantation of underfloor heating. The cleaning rooms, toilets and kitchen have self-closing doors that are separate from the occupied spaces and there is an active protocol for managing temperatures and controlling humidity and mold. Of course, smoking is forbidden throughout the building and there is mechanical ventilation with maximum air flow. Investment has even been made in eliminating harmful substances in some products such as formaldehyde in the case of MFC boards.
See moreNourishment
It promotes healthy eating and facilitating it is another important component of the certification.
At the Actiu Technology Park there are fruits and vegetables available daily for free, and in an easily visible and attractive location. In addition, all vending machine products that exceed 25 grams of sugar, those containing trans fat or classified as harmful have been removed.
Healthy eating is also promoted through posters in the dining area and specialised books on nutrition and food are provided in the kitchen library. Furthermore, there is a physical dining space, equipped with all necessary appliances, which can accommodate 25% of users at the same time with a maximum of 30 minutes available for eating.
See moreMovement
The Well certification promotes movement which is understood as an active life, exercise and prevention of a sedentary lifestyle.
At Actiu, fitness was one of the keys when conceiving the Technology Park. People can come to work on foot or by bike. In addition, it has lockers, showers and changing rooms that allow working hours to be combined with doing sport. So much so, that there is a gym with equipment for training and exercise programmes guided by a specialist coach on a weekly basis.
All operating positions have adjustable monitors and at least 25% of users can work standing up, with height-adjustable tables that enable workers to spend their working hours standing up or sitting down. All operative chairs are adjustable in height, depth and angle, fitting perfectly to each user's needs.
See moreThermal comfort
It promotes productivity and ensure a maximum level of thermal comfort among all users of the building.
Actiu's facilities have radiant heating and measurements are taken to verify that the temperature does not vary at different times and is ideal for the best working conditions, as well as humidity, which is kept between 30% and 60%. Meeting or open areas are controlled by zoned thermostats accessible to all.
See moreSound
Noise is one of the biggest problems in offices, since it is a cause of continuous interruption that can make concentration difficult. The objective of this component is to improve comfort through controlling acoustic parameters and proper insulation that allows to isolate external noise and guarantee the privacy of the spaces.
At the Actiu Technology Park, measurements are taken to verify that the noise level does not exceed 30 to 45 dB and that the reverberation is correct. For this purpose, some sound-absorbing partitions and panels are erected as an aid in some meeting rooms and between the operational positions.
See moreMaterials
To reduce exposure to hazardous building materials by restricting or eliminating toxic compounds or products, as well as cleaning products, waste or pesticide use.
At Actiu, the management of waste and the exposure of materials through spaces and products is important. All new furniture that is manufactured does not contain any toxic products and complies with the strictest regulations. For example, it has recently invested in manufacturing new melamine boards with 0% formaldehyde to prevent spread and thus comply with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that improves the health of occupants of work environments. In addition, employees have recycling containers and there is a strict protocol for the treatment and storage of cleaning products, as well as the soaps that are used, none of which contain toxic substances.
See moreMind
Well promotes mental health through policies, programmes and design strategies that seek to address the various factors that influence cognitive and emotional well-being.
At Actiu, health care is promoted from different aspects: through specific training programmes, with outdoor spaces for relaxation and contemplation, with a direct connection with nature and with an interior aesthetic filled with plant elements, from plants, interior gardens, organic shapes and soft and natural colour ranges that connect the interior with the exterior. Furthermore, concentration and productivity are promoted internally with hours assigned to it and with the integration of continuous feedback, which is reinforced with an extensive collection of documentation and a bibliography that can be accessed by everyone that is specialised in topics such as wellness, mental health, nutrition, exercise or maternity.
See moreCommunity
Support access to essential medical health, health promotion in the workplace and work-life balance, while establishing an inclusive and integrated community through social equity, civic engagement and accessible design.
At Actiu, private medical insurance is provided for all employees and health awareness is promoted through educational content. In addition, there is a management team specifically commissioned for this in alignment with the principles of the WELL certification. Questionnaires about the facilities are carried out often and the building´s emergency plan is constantly being updated. Finally, the Technology Park was already a benchmark with another important certification, the LEED Platinum Certification, which measures the characteristics of the building and its sustainable resource management.
See moreWould you like to be WELL?
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Through our tips we will help you to know some key points to achieve WELL certification.