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The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) will collaborate with the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) to promote good health and wellbeing in the design, construction and operations of buildings, fitouts and communities in Australia.
The GBCA and IWBI announced their new partnership at the Green Cities 2016 conference in Sydney, after signing a memorandum of understanding outlining their commitment to the healthy building movement in Australia.
The WELL Building Standard (WELL) administered by IWBI is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.
As part of the agreement, the two organisations will identify opportunities to align the two rating systems, develop events and education offerings, and promote building practices that improve the health and wellbeing of occupants. Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which provides third-party certification for the WELL Building Standard, will also support efforts to promote and deliver WELL across Australia.
According to GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew, a truly sustainable building not only addresses environmental impact, but social and economic impact too. Green Star’s focus on indoor environmental quality provides a critical foundation for human health and wellbeing, which WELL enhances through its dedicated focus on evidence-based medical and scientific research and measurable performance.
IWBI Founder Paul Scialla observed that their collaborative partnership with the Green Building Council of Australia will help grow the healthy building movement by bringing health and wellness into Australia’s indoor environments through the WELL Building Standard. IWBI sees tremendous opportunity for the wellness, sustainability and real estate communities in Australia to come together to support human health through the built environment.
