WELL Precertification is a significant achievement, recognizing the hospital project is prioritizing the health and wellbeing of the people who will use the building. Achieving WELL Precertification means the project is one step closer to being WELL Certified after the building opens in 2028. It is also on-track to be the first WELL Certified hospital in Canada.
Recognized worldwide throughout the architectural industry, the WELL Certification program is a scientifically developed and independently verified tool to help design buildings and measure their impact on the health and wellbeing of the occupants. Organized around 10 concepts of building performance — Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community – WELL is a program that details design and operational guidelines specifically focused on improving health and wellness outcomes for the people using the building.
“WELL Precertification is an incredible achievement for the South Niagara Hospital Project, and I am so proud of our Niagara Health team and partners for reaching this milestone. The new hospital was designed to incorporate features that emphasize the health and wellness of the people in the building. This will not only provide a much improved healthcare environment for patients and families, but will also create a much more holistic and supportive workplace for our staff and physicians,” said Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO of Niagara Health.
There are many features of the South Niagara Hospital Project that meet WELL design standards, helping it to achieve WELL Precertification. Improved air and water quality, encouraged walkability within the building, and more nutritional food offerings are some examples, however one of the key WELL features is the emphasis on nature and access to natural daylight that is incorporated in the hospital’s design. Connecting people to nature has been shown to help improve overall health and wellbeing, which made it an obvious priority for inclusion in the hospital planning phase. The South Niagara Hospital will feature 14 gardens and terraces through the building that will bring people closer to nature, as well as many outdoor walking paths and trails around the property. The building is also designed with large windows in lobbies, workspaces and patient rooms, helping occupants to take in natural daylight and have impressive views of nature and the greenery that surrounds the building. Natural imagery will also be incorporated into the wayfinding and artwork strategy to help reinforce the connection to nature. All of these elements help to make the built environment healthier and more enjoyable for everyone who walks through its doors.
WELL building features will also offer a significant benefit to staff and physicians – the people who are working in and using the building every day. WELL benefits go far beyond just design, and also include how the building operates and the organizational culture. Features such as a staff gym and team rooms, walking paths, and ergonomic workstations with height adjustable desks are only a few examples of the many wellness features that will improve the workplace culture and environment. This will be a key tool in helping to improve workplace satisfaction, and will aid in efforts to recruit and retain healthcare professionals.