By Juan Pedro Tomás
Smart building specialist Johnson Controls announced a global partnership with the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), with the aim of promoting global application of the Well building standard.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two organizations say they will work together to advance technology development, outcome-based planning and best practices that will improve the health and safety of people in buildings and communities.
Johnson Controls said it will form a Healthy Buildings Center of Excellence as part of its global network of OpenBlue Innovation Centers to consolidate the company’s worldwide efforts to provide support for Well. Johnson Controls also said it is on track to achieve the Well Health-Safety Rating at headquarter buildings in the United States and China by the third quarter of this fiscal year. In addition, the company will invest in the Well AP program with a goal of 500 employees achieving the Well AP credential by the end of the year.
“At Johnson Controls, we believe at the center of a vision for a healthy world must be healthy buildings. It’s natural for us to grow our relationship with IWBI since we both believe that the spaces around us can improve operating efficiency, promote health and well-being as well as boost productivity and enhance sustainability,” said vice president and president, Global Services for Johnson Controls, Ganesh Ramaswamy . “With our leadership around OpenBlue Healthy Buildings, Johnson Controls brings to IWBI in-depth understanding of the power of connected technologies. Through our partnership we will help advance the Well Building Standard and explore areas such as continuous monitoring in support of healthy buildings around the world.”
Johnson Controls will cover the cost of the Well AP exam for qualifying employees and allow them to dedicate working hours to prepare.
“This is an important collaboration focused on putting health first to foster innovation, optimize for health and accelerate the opportunity for everyone, everywhere to benefit from WELL,” said President and CEO of IWBI, Rachel Hodgdon,.
Last month, IWBI had announced it has crossed the one billion square foot mark of spaces enrolled in the Well Health-Safety Rating. Organizations currently enrolled in the Well Health-Safety Rating span all industries and building types. Companies participating include financial service leaders like JPMorgan Chase and Discover; insurance companies like USAA; telecommunications operators like T-Mobile; real estate organizations like Empire State Realty Trust, Kilroy Realty, Lincoln Property Company, and Simon Property Group. Other market sectors enrolling include restaurants, manufacturing and senior living.
The Well Health-Safety Rating is a third-party-verified rating for all new and existing buildings and space types. It is focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder engagement strategies to help organizations prioritize the health and safety of their staff, customers, visitors and stakeholders.
