Providing a safe, comfortable and positive physical space for your employees is proven to boost productivity and productivity directly impacts on profitability

It’s a chain reaction

We spend 90% of our time in buildings. The quality of the environment inside impacts how we feel and our health. In turn, our health and wellbeing impacts on our productivity, which in turn is an important driver for business and directly impacts on profit and economic success. Is it time to assess if your buildings should make people feel great, help get the job done and enable businesses to thrive?

Improving natural lighting, air quality and thermal comfort have all been shown to have positive impacts on productivity.

Using bespoke tools to shape and test design solutions in collaboration with architects, workplace consultants, and the wider design team, we develop a picture of which design features will support your organisation’s definition of success. Adhering to industry recognised assessment methodologies such as the WELL Building Standard, we undertake Health Impact Assessments to inform each design.

Can you really quantify the return?

We were involved in the design of the Genzyme Center, the corporate headquarters for one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. An employee post-occupancy evaluation into the improved productivity of staff, (due to air quality and natural light) has been estimated to have uplifted by $5 million.

Buro Happold’s own Los Angeles office minimises environmental impact and makes health and wellbeing a priority. Raised flooring, glare control blinds, lighting controls for daylight dimming, solar film on existing glazing, circulation fans for occupant control and task lighting are key features. This 12,000 square-foot, open-plan office also affords views to everyone.

We help in setting the standards

Buro Happold has been a major contributor to the standard setting World Green Buildings Council (WGBC) Health Wellbeing and Productivity in Office Report (2014) and the highly anticipated Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in Retail: The Impact of Place on People and Profit Report (February 2016).

Our health, wellbeing and productivity services:


  • Health, wellbeing and productivity scoping
  • Holistic performance evaluation and reporting
  • Bespoke framework development and implementation
  • Digital design consultancy
  • Health, wellbeing and productivity business case development
  • WELL building standard assessment
  • Health impact assessment

Meet the team

I am impressed with Buro Happold’s commitment to the WELL Building Standard, having worked with them in cities around the world, including Los Angeles, London and Warsaw. They create iconic buildings globally through their commitment to innovation and creative solutions.

I recently visited Buro Happold’s Warsaw office, and was inspired by the tremendous work they have put into their new healthy office. It is a tremendous example of what can be achieved when you put people at the center of every building design and operational decision.

They’ve set a high bar for others to follow.

Kamyar Vaghar President, International WELL Building Institute