After the events related to the Covid-19 disease, companies will pay significantly more attention to the impact of the work environment on health. Skanska also expects an increase in demand for ´healthy´ offices, which it has been focusing on for a long time now. The trend is also illustrated by the Karlín office project, Praga Studios, which has recently obtained the WELL certificate, evaluating the building's impact on human health. This is only the second building, which obtained this certification in the Czech Republic.
One of the categories, which the WELL certification in office buildings evaluates, is air quality, which has a major impact on human health. A correctly designed air conditioning is a very effective tool in the fight against the spread and transmission of viruses and thus diseases in the workplace.
"Air filtration at Praga Studios works on a continuous basis, which is very important for air exchange even outside working hours. Fresh air comes through highly efficient MERV 13 filter units and its amount is higher than the minimum legal requirement, so as to ensure the best possible, healthy working conditions. The air conditioning system undergoes strict and frequent inspections and the regular replacement of all filters is consistently monitored, which again is required by the WELL certification.” comments Eva Nykodymová, Sustainovation Manager for Skanska’s Commercial Development unit in Central and Eastern Europe. "The relative humidity of the air in the building is also monitored and is kept within the optimal limit of 40-50% on average, which, according to experts, shortens the lifespan of viruses," she adds.
The "WELL certification is extremely valuable to us because it represents recognition of our efforts to develop buildings so that people feel good in them, enjoying good health. For our buildings, the strict certification criteria have already become a standard. We expect that the rest of the market will now react to this trend,” says Alexandra Tomášková, Executive Vice President for Skanska’s Commercial Development unit in Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Award-Winning Features of Praga Studios:
The whole building is using the so-called biophilic design with an emphasis on natural elements and greenery. The authors of the interior design used primarily certified wood and other thoroughly-controlled materials with a minimum amount of volatile organic compounds. Tenants can also go to the roof terrace to enjoy fresh air and relaxation. An important interior element are the numerous staircases connecting the individual floors of the building through an atrium. These promote healthy use of the stairs and at the same time reduce the use of lifts, thus decreasing the risk of disease transmission. A number of other factors also contribute to obtaining the prestigious certification, supporting not only health but also mental well-being of its inhabitants.
As part of the WELL certification, at Praga Studios, the experts also appreciated the extensive community garden for growing own vegetables, the open library in the entrance atrium or the quiet operation of the air conditioning. With the importance of biodiversity in mind, Skanska installed beehives with three bee colonies and an insect hotel on the roof terrace. Another prized element beyond the mandatory points is the work with daylight. Three quarters of the workplaces are located a maximum of 7.5 meters from a window.
From the point of view of comfort and health of the tenants of the building, its facilities are also being assessed. Cyclists can use comfortable locker rooms with lockers, showers, free towel service or a stand for minor bicycle repairs, which will be appreciated especially given the current preferences for the use of individual modes of transport.
All tenants can use the smart operating system, Connected by Skanska, which facilitates the use of the building, featuring for example a state-of-the-art parking system and access to the building via a mobile phone. Upon arrival by car, the user is admitted to the garage by a camera, which reads the licence plate, so it is not necessary to come into contact with the doorbell or the intercom. The free accessibility of the atrium is also a valued element. Due to the absence of turnstiles, guests do not have to report to the reception upon arrival, but can continue straight to the tenant's premises, so interpersonal contact is kept to a minimum.
In April 2019, the Visionary building became the first office building in the Czech Republic and Central Europe with the WELL Core & Shell certification. Skanska is also aiming for certification for the currently newly-completed Parkview project in Prague's Pankrác district. Praga Studios and Visionary can even boast the LEED Platinum certification for Core & Shell, making it one of the ten most sustainable office buildings in the world.
The Prague office building Praga Studios received the Gold level of the WELL certification from the International WELL Building InstituteTM. The WELL certification was created on the basis of six years of research and development in cooperation with leading doctors, scientists and real estate experts. It is based on the monitoring of concrete results and combines the best practices in building design and construction with evidence-based scientific research. Praga Studios has excelled in a total of seven categories: air, water, light, nutrition, fitness, comfort and mental well-being.
The building became the 47th certified project in the Core and Shell category in the world, 24th in Europe and only third in the CEE region (all three projects by Skanska developer).