Want To Keep Your Residents Happy? Build A Healthier Building

A study evaluating resident satisfaction with Colorado’s first WELL-certified multifamily residential community found that residents are significantly more satisfied with the environment than they were in their previous residences.

NAVA Real Estate Development partnered with Colorado State University’s (CSU) Institute for the Built Environment on the three-year study of the 12-story, 196-unit Lakehouse condominium building to better understand how thoughtful and sustainable design can influence the health and wellness of occupants.

“Our social relationships and activity contribute to our health and well-being far more than many people realize,” said Jeni Cross, director of CSU’s Institute for Research in the Social Sciences. “We were not surprised that the intentional design of Lakehouse to support a meaningful and active community resulted in residents reporting more connections with neighbors, greater happiness and less stress compared to living in prior residences.”

Lakehouse is one of the first residential developments in the world to earn WELL Gold certification from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). IWBI’s WELL Building Standard is a globally recognized program that integrates human health and wellness best practices into the design, construction, maintenance and operations of the built environment to optimize the resident experience.

“At NAVA, we not only believe but can now demonstrate the importance of placing human health and well-being at the forefront of building design,” NAVA President and Co-Founder Brian Levitt said. “With these critical findings, we hope to be the model for residential projects everywhere with regard to the social and economic benefits of prioritizing human and environmental health in our built environment.”

Lakehouse features floor-to-ceiling windows, advanced water and air filtration, sound mitigation, a private outdoor space for each residence, a huge terrace, an urban farm, yoga classes, exercise equipment, a pool and lake and mountain views.

The study analyzed 83 variables across four key areas: building/community satisfaction, physical health, emotional health and social activity. Residents reported many positives, including better memory and sleep, better diets, more exercise, less stress and nervousness, more fun in life and a happier outlook on life.

Architects and developers around the world recognize the value of creating more people-friendly buildings. Three Garden Road, owned by Champion REIT, was the first existing building in Hong Kong to achieve WELL Platinum certification. The three-building office complex totals 1.6 million square feet and features a fitness center, classical music concerts, health dining and snacking options and a garden.

Milliken Flooring’s showroom in San Francisco was one of the first projects in North America to receive WELL Platinum certification. A hub for the design community, the space has abundant natural light, MERV 13 and carbon filters, weekly yoga classes and air-quality monitoring.

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