Hines, Cushman & Wakefield Partner with Mayo Clinic to Study Workplace Virus Prevention
Entrance to the 5,000-SF Well Living Lab next to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
HOUSTON – (By Dale King, Realty News Report) – The Well Living Lab, a collaboration between the Mayo Clinic and Delos, the real estate wellness and technology company, has teamed up with Hines and Cushman & Wakefield to study how office design and operations can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including the coronavirus.
The announcement comes as several U.S. states begin cautious steps to reopen businesses after widespread shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely disrupted commerce, travel, dining, entertainment and religious gatherings worldwide and resulted in massive job losses.
Preparing for anticipated return-to-work guidance, the Well Living Lab will apply its field study capabilities to test interventions in Hines’ and Cushman & Wakefield’s workplaces and at Delos’ global headquarters in New York.
Jeffrey C. Hines
Jeff Hines, CEO of Hines, said the firm’s history of advancing the built environment makes participating in the effort a natural extension of its work. “Our people have been pioneers in creating progressive real estate that advances the built environment, so joining this effort is a natural way for us to give back, while continuing to anticipate and meet the needs of tenants, clients and investors,” he said.
“As we contemplate reopening our offices in the wake of COVID-19,” Hines added, “it is critical that we take an evidence-based approach to make our workspaces safer when we return.”
Cushman & Wakefield is a global real estate services firm with about 53,000 employees and offices in 400 cities across 60 countries. Hines, founded in 1957 and based in Houston, is a privately owned global real estate investment company active in 205 cities and 24 countries.
“We know that buildings have a tremendous impact on our health and well-being, and the role of indoor spaces has now become more important than ever,” said Paul Scialla, founder and CEO of Delos. “As we contemplate reopening our offices in the wake of COVID-19, it is critical that we take an evidence-based approach to make our workspaces safer when we return.”
The 5,000-square-foot Well Living Lab, located beside the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota, will use its simulated office environments and extensive sensor array to test technologies and interventions aimed at reducing respiratory virus transmission in workplaces. The lab is designed to replicate a variety of indoor environmental conditions for controlled studies.
Each partner will contribute its specific expertise. Cushman & Wakefield will apply its workplace strategy and design knowledge, testing protocols for physical distancing and other operational concepts for returning to the office.
Delos will provide expertise in air filtration methods to lower particulate concentrations, surface hygiene protocols, algorithm development to address indoor environmental issues, and software tools to encourage occupant adoption of behaviors that support healthier spaces.
“We look forward to this continued collaboration with Delos and the Well Living Lab as we work together to promote a safe workplace as offices reopen,” said Brett White, executive chairman and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield.
Since 2016, the Well Living Lab has brought together leading organizations to explore the intersection of building science and health science. Alliance members include the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), a public benefit corporation that partners with the lab.
“Our clients are very interested in new workplace strategies that align with the science at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19,” said Despina Katsikakis, head of Workplace Business Performance for Cushman & Wakefield. “We’re pleased to expand on our 6 Feet Office prototype with further testing in areas like advanced air filtration and surface hygiene technologies.”
“The Well Living Lab is uniquely positioned to bring together building and health sciences expertise and technologies to generate and share discoveries,” said Dr. Veronique Roger, the lab’s director of research and a Mayo Clinic cardiologist. “This knowledge will help prepare the world for safer office and other indoor environments after COVID-19.”
Hines will add insights from six decades of experience developing innovative, sustainable properties, drawing on leadership across development, engineering, innovation and property management. The firm’s global portfolio includes many high-rise projects in Houston and around the world.
