Boston, MA The Boston home for Arup, designed by leading architecture and interiors firm Dyer Brown Architects, recently received Gold certification under the WELL Building Standard—making it the first project in New England to be WELL certified.

Opened in late December, the 16,000 s/f space for Arup at 60 State St., represents a collaboration between Dyer Brown and their client, an international engineering and consultant group. One of the goals for the project from the outset has been double-certification: the team set goals to achieve both WELL Silver—which the project has officially surpassed—and LEED v4 Platinum, one of the industry’s most demanding sustainable building standards.

The Gold certification for this leading-edge workplace under the WELL Standard—which provides benchmarks for design teams and their clients to promote the health and well-being of occupants and visitors in built spaces—is the first WELL certification at any level for a New England office project.

According to International WELL Building Institute, which developed the WELL Building Standard, the Dyer-Brown designed office for Arup Boston is:

• The first WELL Certified project in New England,

• The first WELL Certified project with dynamic circadian lighting controls,

• The fourth WELL Gold project in the U.S., and

• The 14th WELL Gold project globally.

To meet the WELL Building Standard, Arup’s Boston offices incorporate a large pantry and lounge areas for employees, a new wellness room, “active movement design” layouts to make work less sedentary, and a circadian lighting system that simulates changing daily sunlight. Water filtration, furniture and finishes with minimal VOCs and contaminants, and advanced metering for HVAC also contribute.

The sunlit open-plan offices are punctuated by distinct amenity areas and huddle spots, according to Jennifer Taylor, Dyer Brown’s project manager, as well as sit-to-stand workstations, and varied inviting workspaces. 

Arup’s team of professionals, including some who are WELL-accredited, contributed to the design.