Green certificates such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and GBS (Green Building Standard) have become widespread across the Polish commercial real estate market. Now the time has come for another one: WELL Building Standard, which focuses on human health and wellbeing. WELL is based on seven criteria: air, water, lighting, including access to daylight, fitness, nourishment, impact of surroundings on mind and occupant comfort. HB REAVIS has already applied for precertification for its two office schemes: Varso and Burakowska 14 (*precertification helps identify a certification level before a building is completed) while SKANSKA’s SPARK is undergoing certification.
Of all Warsaw’s office buildings included in the remobile.pl database, 23.4% have been BREEAM-certified, 5.9% are LEED-certified and 2% have received other certificates. Research shows that 78% of office buildings aged up to five years have been BREEAM-certified while only 23% are LEED-certified, meaning that all new office buildings have received at least one green certificate.
Well-informed office developers and landlords are increasingly focused on growing occupier expectations as green certificates are becoming an additional choice factor for both businesses caring about their staff and the natural environment and decision-makers choosing an office with a view to achieving long-term savings.
The above certification systems help bring down service charges by lowering tap water consumption thanks to the usage of rainwater for plant watering and toilet flushing or by lowering electricity consumption with energy-efficient technologies. For additional scores and a higher certification level, some developers opt for recycled materials.
Green buildings which provide occupants with a very comfortable environment have a strong competitive advantage over other buildings, particularly in the eyes of businesses putting employee wellbeing and cost reduction first. Millennials applying for jobs with new firms also appreciate building amenities and an appropriate office design in addition to financial incentives. A green WELL certificate is a guarantee that an office in which they spend eight hours a day cares about their health.
Author: Dorota Mielke, Senior Negotiator, Office Agency, Cushman & Wakefield
