LIGHT
Maximising internal light quality and using a daylight first approach to light in buildings
Information
What is architecture for well-being?
For us, architecture or design for well-being is about understanding how every aspect of a building’s design can be harnessed to improve the health and well-being of the building’s occupants: from air and water filtration, lighting design and building materials, through to space planning, furniture and planting. We ensure that all of these elements are considered in the design process, using our unique Design for Well-being® framework. Our overall aim is to help clients create healthy buildings, which actively support their health and well-being.
We believe that buildings should be functional and comfortable, affordable to run, built sustainably, and enable you to lead the life that you want to live. They should grow with you, inspire you, contribute to your health and wellbeing, and be able to adapt and change to your needs.
Our unique design framework is based on 6 core principles dedicated to improving the quality of life and human experience in buildings, and is the starting point for all our advice. It is based on the WELL Building Standard™ principles and scientific research from global institutions such as the World Health Organisation.
We are constantly questioning how buildings can help us to lead healthier, happier lives, finding design solutions to support this, and applying these to our client’s projects. Our ambition is to lead the construction industry in design for well-being services and the adoption of the WELL Building Standard™ across use classes, to create healthier buildings and communities for future generations.
Roof of the Guildford United Reform Church. Barber, Bundy & Greenfield, 1965. Key reference for form of Ori House roof. Photo: Spencer Wilton
AIR
Promoting healthy indoor quality though the use of natural, non-toxic building materials and good ventilation design
WATER
Ensuring optimum water quality in buildings and encouraging efficient use of water
BIOSPHERE
Creating buildings which contribute to, and are part of, the biosphere of the region in which they are located; carbon neutral where possible, and actively contributing to local biodiversity through biophilic design principles
ATMOSPHERE
Creating buildings which inspire us, enrich our experience, and provide a canvas for wellness, happiness and creativity
ADAPTABILITY & LONGEVITY
Adapting your home to your needs shouldn’t require a major overhaul, our designs and advice are aimed at limiting disruption, eliminating waste, and maximising the usable space in buildings
At Ekkist, we use the WELL Building Standard™ as the starting point for our design and consultancy services. Based on years of scientific research (view our bookshelf of collated research), the standard provides a framework for the design of buildings to benefit human health and well-being.
We can provide guidance on design for well-being, whether you wish to achieve certification or simply use the framework as the starting point for your design.
The WELL Building Standard™ specifies how the design and function of buildings can be optimised in order to advance human health and well-being. The most recent of the WELL Building Standard (WELL v2) covers 10 concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community. It can be used in conjunction with other building standards, such as LEED and BREEAM®, due to similarities in their requirements.
We are qualified to act as the WELL Building Standard™ Accredited Professional (WELL AP), leading the coordinated effort on behalf of the client, to achieve WELL Building Standard™ certification. We act as a consultant, working alongside project architects, contractors, engineers and other technical team members to collate and submit the necessary documentation for successful WELL Building Standard™ accreditation.
Alternatively, we can simply help you and your project team to incorporate key elements from the standard which are suited to your goals, budget, project and approach.
Chantry Wood, Surrey. Photo: Spencer Wilton
OUR SERVICES
3
Bespoke
Design for well-being consultancy services for individuals, developers, institutions and organisations
EKKIST SPEAKING AT EVENTS
Upcoming Events
No events scheduled due to COVID-19
Past Events
Wellness & Property
16 September 2020
Online Seminar hosted by Knight Frank
Architect @ Work UK Conference
29 January 2020
The Brewery, London
‘HEALTH & WELLBEING IN OUR HOMES AND TOWNS’
Homes UK Future of Living
27 November 2019
ExCel, London
RICS HEALTHY BUILDINGS FORUM
29 October 2019
RICS, London
‘HOW WELL ARE WE DOING AT WELLBEING & WELL BUILDINGS?’
RESI Convention
13 September 2019
Celtic Manor, Newport
‘HEALTHY PLACES, HEALTHY PEOPLE – WELLNESS IN REAL ESTATE’
WEWORK & CREATION
2 APRIL 2019
WEWORK AVIATION HOUSE
RICS REGIONAL CONFERENCE – NEWMARKET
‘WORKPLACE WELLBEING’
RICS
28 MARCH 2019
ROWLEY MILE CONFERENCE CENTRE
WOOD AND WELLNESS CONFERENCE
TIMBER TRADES JOURNAL
13 FEBRUARY 2019
HILTON LONDON TOWER BRIDGE
RICS REGIONAL CONFERENCE – CAMBRIDGE
‘THE PRINCIPLES OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN’
RICS
23 NOVEMBER 2018
WELLCOME TRUST GENOME CAMPUS, CAMBRIDGE
WOOD FOR GOOD WORKPLACE HAPPINESS: THE ART OF CREATING HAPPY WORKPLACES
ESPLAN
25 OCTOBER 2018
ÖPIKU CONFERENCE CENTER, ESTONIA
WOMEN IN PROPTECH CONFERENCE
‘FIRST MOVER ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES’
WIPT
18 OCTOBER 2018
TRAVTUS, 1 SAINT KATHARINE’S WAY
SUMMIT AUTUMN 2018
WOOD FOR GOOD
20 SEPTEMBER 2018
HEADSPACE, 19-21 HATTON GARDEN
