Registration for the ARBS 2016 seminar program will open on 21st March with a panel discussion on wellness already creating interest within the industry. ARBS is Australia’s only international air conditioning, refrigeration and building services trade exhibition, with this year’s event being held in May in Melbourne.
The seminar panel discussion at the upcoming ARBS 2016 on the topic ‘Is wellness the next green’ will be moderated by Tony Arnel, Global Director Sustainability, Norman Disney & Young and President, Energy Efficiency Council. The panel features Romilly Madew, Chief Executive Officer - Green Building Council of Australia; Tony Armstrong, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI); and Mark McKenna, NDY Group Leader, Sustainability - Norman Disney & Young.
The WELL Building Standard, established in the United States by the International WELL Building Institute, uses evidence-based medical and scientific research to harness the built environment as a vehicle to support human health and wellbeing. More than two million square metres of built space have achieved WELL certification in 12 countries.
Several Australian property industry leaders are lining up to register WELL projects with Lendlease exploring the idea of piloting the upcoming WELL Community standard for key urban regeneration projects; Macquarie Group, looking set to achieve the first WELL Building rating in Australia; and DEXUS and Frasers Property having registered projects for the certification.
The seminar panel will discuss the possibility of the WELL Standard becoming the next Green Star or NABERS; how WELL ratings can help building owners and managers measure the health and wellbeing of building occupants; and whether it will become a new market differentiator that separates the leaders from the laggards.
Seminar participants will receive a nuts-and-bolts explanation of the WELL Building Standard and its focus areas, with the session also exploring opportunities and obstacles to its take-up in Australia, and why healthy buildings are becoming the ‘next big thing’.
ARBS 2016 will be held from 17-19 May 2016 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Those involved in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and building services industry can complete the quick and easy pre-registration available online from 21st March, which grants free entry into the exhibition across all three days.
