First WELL Platinum-Certified office in US designed by COOKFOX Architects

Last year the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) moved into new offices in the Flatiron neighbourhood of Manhattan, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 26th Street in a landmarked, historic building dating to 1912. 

IWBI hired COOKFOX, an architectural practice whose own studio, also in midtown Manhattan, achieved WELL Gold certification in 2017. Together, the client and designers developed strategies to emphasize that architecture be equitable, global, evidence-based, technically robust, customer focused and resilient. 

They maximised the generous air and light of their corner location; carefully chose recycled or low-impact materials; engineered high-filtration air systems; provided healthy, nourishing food in the kitchen; encouraged active work styles; landscaped the interior with plantings and found many additional ways to earn WELL Certification at the platinum level, strategies that transform spaces in ways that help people thrive.  Developing these techniques in their own office allows IWBI staff to provide individual testimony to the research in which they are immersed.

In addition to COOKFOX, IWBI worked with companies to provide innovative solutions including Stellar Management, Paladino, FluidStance, Kaiterra, LogiSon, Mohawk, Nano-lit and Teknion.