KELOWNA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sustainability and wellness design consulting firm Matthews Design Group (MDG) today announces one of its consulting properties, Vendure Retirement Communities, has been awarded WELL Precertification™ for its Waterview project. The development, located in Nelson, B.C., is the first Senior Living Facility in the country to receive this distinction.
The WELL Precertification distinction was awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the leading authority for transforming health and well-being with its people-first approach to buildings, organizations, and communities, under WELL v2, the latest version of the WELL Building Standard (WELL). It is grounded in a body of evidence-based research that links the connection between the spaces where we spend approximately 90 percent of our time, and the health and well-being impact on the people inside buildings.
“Achieving the WELL Precertification for the Waterview project speaks volumes to the focus on wellness that went into designing this property, and it is our great pleasure to be a part of creating a space that will have a long-lasting positive impact on the health of all occupants,” said Trish Matthews, Principal and CEO of Matthews Design Group. “Matthews Design Group is proud to have worked alongside Vendure properties on this transformative project, which, once complete, will provide a wellness-oriented space that will ensure the well-being of residents and families, and reduce employee stress and burnout. We’d like to congratulate the entire Vendure team on this incredible achievement.”
The population of Canadians aged 85 and older is one of the country’s fastest-growing age groups. As this demographic continues to increase, the demand for safer, accessible living spaces where seniors can age in place will increase exponentially. Under the consultation and guidance of MDG, Vendure has incorporated WELL Building Standards into the design philosophy of the Waterview Retirement Resort to create a sustainable and accessible community where residents can feel safe, healthy and happy for years to come.
WELL Precertification is an optional step in the certification process for WELL projects, which allows registered projects to review the work already completed and confirm that they are on the correct path toward achieving full WELL Certification. Provided the project maintains the standards and directives it has proposed, the Waterview Retirement Resort is on track towards achieving full WELL Certification following its completion.
"At Vendure, creating healthy spaces for our residents is paramount, and this achievement of WELL Precertification for our Waterview project demonstrates our commitment to global leadership in building health,” said Cindy Shaw, Marketing Director of Vendure. “We are deeply appreciative to have Matthews Design Group’s guidance on sustainability and wellness-oriented design throughout this process and we look forward to achieving full WELL Certification. The Waterview development will be a first-class senior facility that fosters the health and well-being of our grandparents, parents, and loved ones, as well as those who work in this space to care for them, and we look forward to welcoming the community.”
The Waterview Retirement Resort consists of five commercial, residential-style development care facilities, offering 125 spacious, well-appointed suites, in one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and studio layouts. It is expected to be completed in 2024.
For more information, visit matthewsdesigngroup.ca.
About Matthews Design Group
Matthews Design Group is driven by the belief that the spaces in which we live, work and play have a profound effect on our health and well-being. By partnering with visionary designers, builders, and developers we craft sustainable, high-performance environments that prioritize occupant wellness. We work closely with green building rating systems to evaluate and certify buildings that meet the highest standards of sustainability and occupant health. For more information, visit www.matthewsdesigngroup.ca.
