July 21, 2020
Shanghai — UL announced today that One East, owned and operated by its customer, Brookfield Properties, is the first in Greater China to earn a 3 star Fitwel Rating - the highest rating within the Fitwel Standard. One East, in the center of Shanghai, received an impressive 127 out of 144 possible points.
UL – a leading safety science organization – partnered with global commercial real estate provider CBRE and Brookfield in September 2019 to submit for Fitwel certification on behalf of One East, a 115,000 m2 Grade A, mixed-use commercial building. As a member of the Fitwel Champion Program, CBRE worked with UL and Brookfield to implement research-based health and wellness strategies into the design of One East, leading the project to become Fitwel certified. This distinction also advances the efforts of the partnership UL and CBRE formed last year to jointly promote healthy buildings in China.
Fitwel, is one of the world’s leading building certification systems for health and wellness, evaluating how the built environment impacts human health and developing evidence-based design and operational strategies to promote healthy buildings. The One East project builds upon a partnership between UL and the Center for Active Design, the operator of Fitwel, to expand the number of healthy buildings, communities and products in Greater China.
“One East’s Fitwel Certification demonstrates CBRE and Brookfield’s commitment to lead the way in developing and operating commercial assets that are optimized to build health for all of their occupants. CBRE China’s Fitwel Champion status ensured a streamlined approach to certification for the building’s innovative design. We look forward to continue working with UL and CBRE to promote the healthy building movement throughout Asia,” said Joanna Frank, President & CEO of the Center for Active Design.
UL’s expertise in reviewing, testing and certification, training and best practices were instrumental in helping One East achieve its 3-star Fitwel rating. Working closely with the CBRE and Brookfield team, UL consolidated and reviewed documentation required for submission and coordinated the application process, working across time zones and language barriers to streamline the verification process and minimize delays.
"As a leading owner and operator of iconic mixed-use properties in the world’s gateway cities, Brookfield is committed to creating a healthier work environment for our tenants and guests. One East achieving the highest level of Fitwel certification is the culmination of a great deal of hard work from the Brookfield Properties team and is reflective of our vision to support the overall well-being of the community." said Stuart Mercier, Country Head for China, Brookfield Asset Management.”
As the green building and healthy building movement spreads across Greater China, UL is collaborating with real estate providers in the region to jumpstart their efforts to achieve healthier buildings. The green building and healthy building movement is gaining momentum across Asia as real estate owners and managers realize the benefits, which including more satisfied tenants, buildings that command a premium and reduced liability.
“One East provides an excellent example of how CBRE’s collaboration with our clients and UL can streamline and consolidate the process of Fitwel Certification. We are excited about the potential to replicate this kind of success as we expand the program across Greater China,” said Stephen Tam, senior director, technical & sustainability services, Property Management at CBRE Greater China.
“UL is proud to be a professional assessor in the initiative to advance green building and healthy indoor environments across Asia. Pioneers like Brookfield are demonstrating a commitment to their tenants, the community and the region by taking steps to earn certification to rigorous building rating schema like Fitwel,” said Alberto Uggetti, vice president and general manager of UL’s Environment and Sustainability division.
For more information, visit ul.com.
About UL
UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. We empower trust by enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. All of our work, from independent research and standards development, to testing and certification, to providing analytical and digital solutions, helps improve global well-being. Businesses, industries, governments, regulatory authorities and the public put their trust in us so they can make smarter decisions. To learn more, visit UL.com. To learn more about our nonprofit activities, visit UL.org.
About Fitwel and the Center for Active Design
Fitwel is the world’s leading certification system committed to building health for all™. Generated by expert analysis of 5,600+ academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being. Fitwel was created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. General Services Administration. The Center for Active Design, a global not-for-profit organization, was selected as the licensed operator of Fitwel, charged with expanding Fitwel to the global market. To learn more about Fitwel, please visit: www.fitwel.org.