Epsten Group HQ Earns Fitwel 2-Star Rating

Looking beyond efficiency and sustainability, the design of buildings has shifted to a focus on promoting occupant health. With workplace wellness being an integral part of our company culture, we designed our new headquarters with employee health and productivity top of mind. We are thrilled to announce that our office has achieved Fitwel 2-star rating for Fitwel v2.1 for New Commercial Interiors.

Situated in a 34-floor high-rise in downtown Atlanta with access to multiple forms of transit, parks that offer places of respite or exercise, dedicated bike lanes, and plenty of amenities within walking distance, we earned exceptional marks for our office location, which is one of the main drivers of the rating system. Aiming to encourage an active lifestyle within the workplace, we provided sit-n-stand desks throughout the space. We also addressed the often-ignored mental and emotional wellbeing by providing amenities such as a quiet room and lactation room. Our in-house Wellness Committee regularly organizes on-site mental and social health programs, such as yoga sessions and flu vaccinations to ensure that all facets of health and wellness are readily accessible to our staff.

While we were not eligible for enough points to earn the top tier of three stars, because we do not have multiple floors and do not provide food for our employees in the form of a cafeteria, café, or vending machines, we were still able to incorporate more than 55 strategies and achieve 105 points out of the attempted 109 points. We congratulate our team led by Uma Patwardhan for their efforts to ensure that our new headquarters meet the Fitwel certification standards that so closely align with our company values.

Interested in how we can help you apply Fitwel to your space? Contact our experts: in@epstengroup.com

About the Author

Lauren Wallace

Lauren, Principal and Director of Certifications and Consulting, has trained and managed leaders in sustainability and consulting on thousands of inspiring projects. She has been an active member of the sustainable design community for more than ten years and a leading sustainability consultant who is passionate about incorporating sustainable practices throughout the design-build industry. Aligning with the firm’s convictions, she works alongside her clients to integrate widespread sustainability practices, saving them time and money, and ultimately attracting and retaining much-needed talent.

Lauren regularly speaks to large audiences about implementing change in the building industry, focusing on technical information and application. She is a USGBC and WELL Faculty member, the leader of the Epsten Group Wellness Committee, and has spoken on building sustainability and Wellness issues throughout the country. In 2019, she was honored in becoming a LEED Fellow. She is a proud Living Future Accredited professional, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, Parksmart Advisor, and TRUE Advisor. Lauren is also a WELL Performance Testing Agent and BREEAM USA Assessor.