Introba Atlanta and Vancouver Offices Receive Fitwel Certification

Introba (formerly Integral Group) proudly announces both Atlanta and Vancouver offices have achieved Fitwel certifications awarded by the Center for Active Design (CfAD).  Atlanta has achieved a 2 Star Fitwel Rating through the v2.0 scorecard, and Vancouver a 3 Star Fitwel Rating through the v1.0 scorecard.

Fitwel is a certification system focused on optimizing building design and operations to support human health and well-being. “Introba is notable for their current status as the engineering firm with the most Fitwel certifications. These latest certifications demonstrate continued leadership in the sector, as well as a commitment to providing health-promoting workspaces for 800+ of their own employees,” says Lisa Creighton, VP of Strategy and Development, CfAD. “We look forward to continuing to work with Introba to further enhance the health of their employees and clients worldwide.”

The newly renovated and expanded Atlanta office features a dedicated quiet room to be used by staff for meditation, prayer, or relaxation. Lactation rooms are provided, and a multi-purpose room that may be reserved by staff for wellness activities. Other Fitwel-inspired improvements include delivery of fresh fruit and healthy snacks in the breakroom, weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distributions, Healthy Catering Policy, and Green Cleaning Policy. In alignment with Fitwel’s scoring methods, the Atlanta office has multiple access points to daylight and exterior views, external stairwell options, and is situated within walking-distance to local restaurants.

Reflecting on Atlanta’s Fitwel experience Associate and Senior Sustainability Consultant Marilyn Specht said, “Our recent office expansion offered the perfect time to focus our efforts on Fitwel certification. It has been wonderful to see our staff inspired and involved in the process. From sharing recipes for the produce received in our CSA to encouraging more healthy and sustainable catering in the office, implementing the Fitwel strategies has been an opportunity to further Introba’s mission of healthy buildings for healthy people and a healthy planet.”

Our Vancouver office has enhanced office wellness through initiatives such as weekly farmers markets, a fruit and vegetable garden planted inside the office patio, weekly guided meditation sessions, and fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries. The office has also converted one of its rooms into a sound-proof meditation/relaxation room, which also serves as a lactation room. High walking scores were awarded for the office location’s access to public transit, building accessibility, and bicycle-friendly features. Fitwel certification also recognized the abundance of natural light, green spaces, and open-sky surroundings visible from all angles of the office interior. An established office Sustainable Purchasing Policy aligns with Fitwel’s certification requirements, taking into account both employee wellness and carbon footprint.

“Working on our Fitwel certification prompted us to take a really deep look at how well the Vancouver office was aligned with our values, and also how it reflected our work as consultants to promote healthy workplaces around the world,” remarks Vancouver’s Quality Control Manager, Louise Wilkinson. “It created an opportunity to upgrade our facilities, ensure our policies supported staff well-being and make the office a more comfortable and positive space to work.

As Fitwel Champions, Introba has committed to supporting the philosophy that a healthier workplace environment should be accessible for all. Atlanta Managing Principal Stanton Stafford remarks, “With the Fitwel v1.0 launch at Greenbuild in 2016 – and Introba’s subsequent global advocacy for the program – fresh in my mind, it is very exciting that Atlanta becomes the first Introba office to earn Fitwel v2.0 certification on the eve of our 5-year anniversary.” With the remarkable growth of the Atlanta and Vancouver teams, we are proud to employ initiatives that support a healthier work environment. These are the 4th and 5th Introba offices to have achieved Fitwel certification following the certification of our London, Toronto, and Oakland offices.

Introba signed on as a Fitwel Champion in a commitment to “push the needle forward towards regenerative and healthy buildings” and continue to add a growing number of Fitwel Ambassadors to our staff globally.  The firm has plans for additional offices to achieve their Fitwel certifications in the future.