Practical strategies to improve air, comfort, lighting, and wellness
Today’s employees expect more from their workplaces than just a desk and a chair, and the “healthy building” movement is here to meet that demand. At its core, a healthy building prioritizes the well-being of its occupants, focusing on cleaner air, better lighting, improved acoustics, greater comfort, and thoughtful amenities.
The benefits aren’t just feel-good perks. Healthier workplaces are proven to boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve tenant or employee retention. One framework leading the way is the WELL Building Standard, which outlines strategies for creating spaces that support physical and mental health.
In this post, we’ll skip the technical jargon and focus on practical, actionable steps you can take right now to make your office a healthier, happier, and more productive place, whether you’re aiming for WELL certification or just want a better everyday workplace.
Step 1: Start with air quality, the foundation of a healthy building.
Air quality is one of the most critical (and often overlooked) components of a healthy building. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been linked to headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, and even reduced cognitive performance, which directly impact employee productivity and satisfaction.
The good news? Improving air quality is both highly achievable and highly impactful. Here are a few practical steps you can take:
- Upgrade to MERV-13 (or higher) filtration to better capture fine particulates and airborne contaminants.
- Increase fresh air ventilation rates to meet or exceed current ASHRAE guidelines.
- Implement continuous IAQ monitoring for CO₂, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter to proactively address issues before they affect occupants.
At Ketchum & Walton, we specialize in supply air filters and HVAC equipment that support long-term health and performance, meeting or exceeding WELL and LEED IAQ standards from day one.
Step 2: Manage thermal comfort year-round.
Thermal plays a direct role in concentration, mood, and overall productivity. Large swings in temperature or humidity can quickly lead to discomfort and frustration, distracting employees from their work.
To create a consistently comfortable environment:
- Follow ASHRAE 55 standards, maintaining 30–60% relative humidity and seasonally appropriate temperature ranges.
- Use HVAC zoning systems to address hot or cold spots throughout the building and give better control over different areas.
- Incorporate real-time occupant feedback tools so facility teams can respond quickly when conditions change.
Step 3: Improve lighting quality for mood and productivity.
Lighting influences our circadian rhythms, eye health, and overall mental well-being. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and reduced focus, while thoughtfully designed lighting can boost alertness and improve mood throughout the day.
Here are a few ways to elevate lighting quality in your workplace:
- Increase access to natural daylight by rethinking space layouts or incorporating skylights and glass partitions.
- Implement circadian lighting systems that adjust color temperature and intensity throughout the day to align with natural biological rhythms.
- Reduce glare and avoid over-lighting by using diffusers, task lighting, and smart positioning of fixtures.
Step 4: Control noise for better focus and well-being.
Noise is one of the most common complaints in modern workplaces. Chronic exposure to unwanted sound can increase stress levels, hamper concentration, and ultimately reduce productivity. Creating a healthier building means creating a quieter one.
To better manage acoustics in your office:
- Use acoustic zoning or sound masking to separate quiet work areas from high-traffic or collaborative zones.
- Reduce mechanical noise with thoughtful duct design, proper equipment selection, and vibration isolation.
- Incorporate sound-absorbing materials (like acoustic panels, ceiling tiles, or baffles) in open office areas and conference rooms to minimize reverberation.
Ketchum & Walton provides targeted noise control solutions for offices, meeting spaces, and mechanical rooms, helping your team stay focused, comfortable, and stress-free.
Step 5: Promote movement and wellness amenities.
Even the healthiest building systems can’t offset the effects of prolonged sitting. Sedentary environments are linked to long-term health issues, making it essential to design workplaces that encourage movement and support overall wellness throughout the day.
To keep employees active and engaged:
- Incorporate standing desks, treadmill desks, or active seating to give people more options beyond traditional workstations.
- Encourage stair use by providing easy access to stairwells and adding signage that promotes movement between floors.
- Include multipurpose wellness rooms where employees can stretch, meditate, or take quiet breaks when needed.
Step 6: Maintain a healthy building through commissioning and monitoring.
Creating a healthy building isn’t a “set it and forget it” effort. It’s an ongoing process that requires regular tuning and oversight. Even the best systems can drift out of optimal performance over time, especially as occupancy levels and seasonal conditions change.
To keep your building performing at its healthiest:
- Conduct regular commissioning of HVAC and IAQ systems to ensure equipment is operating as intended.
- Implement continuous energy and air quality monitoring so issues can be identified and resolved in real time.
- Make seasonal performance adjustments based on collected data to maintain comfort and efficiency year-round.
Step 7: Emerging healthy building trends.
The healthy building movement continues to evolve, and new technologies and design strategies are making it easier than ever to create spaces that support physical and mental well-being. Here are a few trends worth watching:
- Smart Building Sensors and Occupant Analytics: IoT-enabled sensors can now track real-time conditions like air quality, occupancy levels, lighting, and noise. This data allows facility teams to make rapid adjustments that enhance comfort and energy efficiency. We integrate these systems directly with building controls so the data actively improves performance.
- Biophilic Design Elements: Living walls, indoor plants, and natural materials reduce stress, boost productivity, and even improve indoor air quality when properly supported.
- Touchless and Low-Touch Technology: Motion-sensor entryways, app-based lighting controls, and touchless HVAC interfaces reduce germ transmission and improve user convenience.
- Healthy Building Certifications Beyond WELL and LEED: Certifications like Fitwel are gaining traction as a more flexible and cost-effective path to healthier buildings, especially in retrofit projects.
Quick Healthy Building Checklist
- Upgrade HVAC filtration to MERV-13 or higher
- Increase daylighting and install circadian lighting systems
- Implement acoustic control (zoning, sound masking, and sound-absorbing materials)
- Maintain ASHRAE thermal comfort standards year-round
- Continuously monitor indoor air quality (CO₂, VOCs, particulates)
- Offer wellness-oriented amenities like standing desks and quiet rooms
From cleaner air and thermal comfort to better lighting, acoustics, and wellness amenities, each of the steps outlined above supports the same goal: helping people feel and perform their best while they’re at work. And when employees thrive, so do businesses.
Whether you’re starting with a few upgrades or working toward a full certification, the key is to view building health as an ongoing process, one that’s supported by thoughtful design, regular monitoring, and responsive systems.
Ketchum & Walton partners with building owners, facility managers, and design teams to incorporate these healthy building strategies into both new and existing spaces. If you’re ready to create a workplace that’s healthier, happier, and future-ready, we’d be glad to help you take the next step.