01 Feb 2017
1 FEB 2017
A new guidance document that compares and aligns the Green Star and WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) rating systems will support building owners looking to boost the sustainability of their assets and support the health and wellbeing of people inside the buildings.
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) announced a new partnership in 2016, and are working collaboratively to promote health and wellbeing in the design, construction and operations of buildings, fitouts and communities in Australia.
Green Star and WELL Building Standard: Approaches to buildings or fitouts seeking a dual rating maps the Green Star credits and criteria that may be used for an assessment under the WELL Building Standard, and vice versa.
“As owners and investors increasingly look to third-party certification to demonstrate transparency, accountability and a commitment to best practice, we must ensure certification is an easy and cost-effective process,” says the GBCA’s Head of Market Transformation, Jorge Chapa.
“By working together to map out the synergies within the two rating tools, project teams can avoid duplication of effort, and achieve both Green Star and WELL ratings faster, and cheaper. Building owners don’t have to choose between health and sustainability – both are more easily achieved as a result of this work.”
“By every measure, Australia has long been a global sustainability leader,” said IWBI Chairman and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, “so it’s no surprise that its real estate community has been at the forefront of efforts to use buildings to more intentionally advance the health and well-being of the people who spend so much time in them. By taking advantage of the natural synergies between Green Star and WELL, we can have rapid and significant impact on both planetary and public health. We’re proud to work alongside GBCA to advance our shared mission.”
The document provides guidance specific to new buildings or new fitouts being rated under Green Star – Design & As Built or Green Star – Interiors. Future versions will include guidance specific to buildings seeking Green Star – Performance ratings.
“This new guidance will provide industry with extra support to deliver buildings that are efficient, productive and healthy for the environment, and for people too,” Mr Chapa concludes.
Rick Fedrizzi will be speaking at the Green Cities 2017 conference in Sydney on 6 March about the nexus between sustainability and health in the built environment.