ESD’s New Office Earns Fitwel Certification

Occupant health and well-being continues to be a trending topic in today’s workplace design industry. With people spending more than 90% of their time indoors, and the lion’s share of business-related expenses tied to employee salary and benefits, research is highlighting the importance of an improved workplace.

By incorporating health and wellness design aspects into the new ESD headquarters at Willis Tower, and by locating its office centrally downtown, ESD has achieved Fitwel 2 Star Rating. According to a certificate from the Center for Active Design, which operates Fitwel, the 47,000-square-foot space “incorporates a number of evidence-based design and policy strategies that support the physical, mental and social health of its occupants.” Fitwel strategies that ESD implemented include sit/stand desks, healthy food in vending machines, a comfort room and access to views and natural daylight for all employees.