Building B at the Warsaw Spark complex and Generation Park Z are the next Skanska office buildings which have received the WELL Core & Shell certificate at the Gold level from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). This is the fourth and fifth Skanska project certified in Central and Eastern Europe.
In June 2020, in the midst of the global COVID-19 crisis that included a ban on international travel, Spark B received WELL Core & Shell pre-certification. Today, Spark B can boast full-fledged certification. This means that both buildings of this Wola complex meet the WELL certification criteria and are healthy, sustainable, and safe workplaces, where well-being is put in the center.
A few months earlier – in April 2021, Warsaw Generation Park Z joined the group of Skanska office buildings with the prestigious WELL Core & Shell certificate. In March 2020, Skanska sold the building to Deka Immobilien, one of Europe's leading real estate investment company.
Both buildings thus join the ranks of Skanska's previously certified construction projects in Central and Eastern Europe – Spark C in Warsaw, Parkview and Praga Studios in Prague.
"Occupants’ safety and comfort are Skanska’s priorities. Already at the design stage of our office buildings, we pay great attention to solutions that focus on people, their health and needs. WELL certificate reflects our philosophy in this area", says Adam Targowski, Skanska’s Sustainability Director CEE. "The return to a healthy and safe workplace is an extremely important issue and we know that it will gain in importance now. That's why all our new projects are implemented according to the guidelines of the most prestigious certificates, so that their future occupants can feel comfortable there, regardless of the prevailing epidemic situation", Adam Targowski adds.
In addition to the WELL Core & Shell certification, Skanska office unit in Poland has also obtained the WELL Health-Safety Rating certification this year for nine of its construction projects in Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic – and that includes Spark B. The latest certification covers part of the guidelines under the WELL Building Standard and is verified by impartial experts. The certification applies to both new and existing buildings and spaces. It’s focused on occupancy, maintenance protocols, occupant and operator involvement, and contingency plans.
Skanska surveyed office workers in four Central and Eastern European countries. As many as 61% of them said they would feel safer in offices with the WELL Health-Safety Rating. This is particularly important in the context of returning to offices. Skanska is aiming for the WELL Health-Safety Rating for all its office buildings.
