Health and Wellness

Human Health-Centered Design

EMD Serono
Office Building
Billerica, Massachusetts

Designed to enhance the company’s progressive work culture through employee engagement, well-being, and biophylic design features, the existing office building and addition have jointly achieved WELL Gold certification for new and existing construction from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) in 2018.  It is the first New and Existing Building Project to achieve WELL Certification at the Gold level in the US and only the second in the world. The project also received the Market Leader in Health and Wellness Award and the 2018 Green Building of the Year Award from USGBC Massachusetts.

 

The heart of the building–the lobby commons—features tiered-seating and a staircase that promotes staff walking to the second floor rather than opting for the elevator. Low VOC-emitting furnishings and finishes, high-efficiency and WELL-compliant circadian lighting, and healthy food selections further support a healthful environment for the company’s employees. A prominent “river” of planting wends its way from the exterior entry plaza into, and through, the central lobby commons, while generous expanses of windows provide natural daylighting and a strong visual connection to nature beyond.