Healthier buildings on the horizon for Australia
Sydney (March 23, 2016) – The healthy building movement in Australia received a boost today, with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) announcing a new partnership. The GBCA and IWBI have agreed to work collaboratively to promote health and well-being in the design, construction and operations of buildings, fitouts and communities in Australia. The GBCA launched the Green Star rating system in 2003, and since then has certified more than 1,050 buildings, communities and fitouts throughout Australia. IWBI administers the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL), 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. The two organizations announced the new partnership at the Green Cities 2016 conference in Sydney, after signing a memorandum of understanding which outlines their commitment to work towards common goals.
“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 well-being – one which WELL enhances through its dedicated focus on evidence-based medical and scientific research and measurable performance,” says the GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew. “We are excited to be joining forces with IWBI to elevate the focus on buildings that are efficient, productive and healthy for the people who live and work in them,” Ms. Madew adds.
“Joining forces 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,” said IWBI Founder Paul Scialla. “With this agreement, we see tremendous opportunity for the wellness, sustainability and real estate communities in Australia to come together to support human health through the buildings where we spend more than 90 percent of our time.”
The organizations will now work together to identify opportunities to align the two rating systems, develop events and education offerings, and promote building practices that improve the health and well-being 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.
“Increasingly, Australians recognize that our buildings have a dramatic impact on our health and well-being. This new partnership is an important step towards designing and building places that are sustainable, productive and healthy,” Ms. Madew concludes.
About the Green Building Council of Australia The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is the nation’s authority on sustainable buildings and communities. The GBCA’s mission is to accelerate the transformation of Australia’s built environment into one that is healthy, liveable, productive, resilient and sustainable. The GBCA works with industry and government to encourage policies and programs that support its mission. The Council educates thousands of people each year on how to design and deliver sustainable outcomes for Australia’s buildings and communities. And it operates Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic rating system for sustainable buildings and communities – Green Star. www.gbca.org.au
About the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) is a public benefit corporation whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the built environment. Public benefit corporations like IWBI are an emerging U.S. structure for corporations committed to balancing public benefits with profitability – harnessing the power of private capital for greater good. IWBI administers the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) – a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of buildings that impact the health and well-being of the people who live, work, and learn in them. Fulfilling the vision of IWBI Founder Paul Scialla, IWBI has a pioneering altruistic capitalism model that will address social responsibility and demonstrate a sustainable model for philanthropy. IWBI was established by Delos in 2013 pursuant to a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to improve the way people live by developing spaces that enhance occupant health and quality of life by sharing the WELL Building Standard globally. WELLcertified.com
Press Contacts
IWBI Callie Stanton +1 646.654.3438 cstanton@nikecomm.com
Green Building Council of Australia Karen Jamal +61 0412.179.135 karen.jamal@gbca.org.au
