USGBC-LA and BuroHappold release health wellbeing and productivity key findings report

Sustainability has been a buzz word in the built environment for several decades. But where once the focus was on the performance of the buildings themselves, the spotlight is now shifting to that of the people within them.

Buildings are built for people, so their design should reflect user needs as much as it features sustainable measures. This ethos is backed up by research conducted by various organizations around the world, which shows that people perform better in spaces with good air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustics, and which offer quality connections to the outdoors.

“Teams can add value to assets, realize savings in personnel costs, and enhance human health and wellbeing.”
_{^{Dominique Hargreaves, executive director, USGBC-LA.}}

Since a small increase in productivity can have a significant impact on profitability, many corporations are looking at improving health, wellbeing, and productivity (HWP) measures in their offices to boost employee output. Within universities, HWP can be a social driver and influence campus culture; in healthcare, it can improve the bottom line and drive healthier and quicker recoveries; and in transportation, there is a push for active communities and social equity.

To gain a deeper understanding of the effect of this movement on the built environment landscape, BuroHappold partnered with USGBC-LA to conduct a research study into how HWP measures are taking shape in projects across Los Angeles.

Download a copy of the key findings report here.