20 Sept 2024
The Well-Being Revolution in Real Estate: Trends, Tech, and Transformation
In this episode of WDBE Talks, I had the pleasure of speaking with William Stewart, Health and Well-Being Advisor at EKKIST. William delved into the burgeoning field of health and well-being in the built environment, a relatively new focus within real estate. He shared his journey from project management and asset management to his current role, driven by a keen interest in how our living and working environments impact our health.
William is a keynote speaker at the World of Digital Built Environment, WDBE 2024. (https://kirahub.org/en/wdbe/)
Why invest in health and well-being
William explained that EKKIST is dedicated to improving health and well-being within the built environment, working with some of the largest developers in the UK. Their approach is rooted in scientific research, emphasizing that the places where we live and work can significantly impact our health, sometimes even more than our genetics.
We discussed the growing interest from investors and developers in creating healthier spaces, driven by both social value and financial benefits. William highlighted that healthier buildings are easier to lease, attract and retain tenants, and command higher rents. He also noted the increasing demand from consumers, particularly millennials and Generation Z, for healthier living and working environments.
Improving health with buildings
William shared fascinating examples of innovative approaches in building design that have made measurable impacts, such as using plants to improve air quality and focusing on healthy materials to reduce harmful off-gassing. He also touched on the WELL certification, which focuses on health and well-being in buildings, and how it ensures a holistic approach to creating healthy spaces.
We explored the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting existing buildings to improve health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of future-proofing homes and the financial benefits of such investments. William also addressed the issue of “well-washing,” stressing the need for a holistic approach to health in building design.
The coming WDBE keynote
Looking ahead to his keynote at WDBE, William gave us a sneak peek into what he will cover, including the key aspects of creating healthy buildings, examples of successful projects, and the importance of a fact-based approach supported by scientific evidence.
Learn more
For those interested in learning more, William recommended checking out the WELL certification (https://v2.wellcertified.com/en/wellv2/overview) and the RICS document (https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/real-estate-standards/the-design-delivery-management-of-healthy-buildings-1st-edition) on healthy buildings. He also highlighted the growing momentum in this field, evidenced by new academic courses focused on health and well-being in the built environment. Also, check out Kamal Meattle’s TED Talk, How to Grow Fresh Air (https://www.ted.com/talks/kamal_meattle_how_to_grow_fresh_air?subtitle=en).
This episode was a deep dive into the intersection of real estate, health, and well-being, and I look forward to continuing this important conversation at WDBE! (https://kirahub.org/en/wdbe/)
Connect with William on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-stewart-mrics-well-ap-9a5a1653/" target="_blank" r...
