Lab features safe, healthy products
A myriad of ceiling and wall products are installed throughout the space to reassure those who are going back to work are surrounded by materials and systems that work 24/7 to keep them safer and healthier.
These materials and systems include gasketed ceilings to reduce air leakage through the ceiling plane and self-contained ultraviolet (UV) air purification systems to maintain indoor air quality. Seamless acoustical ceilings which look like drywall but provide a combination of sound absorbing and sound blocking are installed in closed plan offices to ensure speech privacy, as well as to provide quiet concentration areas. Felt products are also installed on many walls for acoustical absorption. Environmentally, all the ceilings meet the highest sustainability standards in the industry today.
A new way of working
As part of their mission, the design teams also leveraged a change management process including focus groups, metric reports, and processes to engage stakeholders and obtain feedback to facilitate a smooth transition to a new way of working.
“Looking into the future, change management programs will be considered to enable forward thinking spaces like the Living Lab to optimize employee experiences,” says Freret.
Upon completion, the Living Lab earned a WELL Health-Safety Rating Certification seal from the International WELL Building Institute. It achieved 17 credits including two innovation credits. The certification provides a framework for organizations to prepare for a safer and healthier future. It also earned an Air Quality Recognition Award for its clean air.
The mission of improving the human work experience through design has culminated in a critical, yet hopeful, moment of transformation. The Living Lab is a dynamic pilot space that provides a holistic and flexible workplace environment to achieve that mission.
Alexandra Waltemyer manages the Healthy Space Solutions program at Armstrong World Industries. She leads research and development of innovative product solutions which create healthier spaces to improve indoor air quality in schools, offices, and healthcare environments. Her background is in engineering and agile project management, research and development, testing, and operations in several industries.
