The certification process was overseen by the Project & Development Services and ESG & Sustainability teams at Cushman & Wakefield.
The WELL Gold certification of the Natura Towers reinforces Cofidis’ commitment to the health and well-being of its employees.
Cushman & Wakefield and Cofidis announce that the Natura Towers in Lisbon are now recognized with the WELL Gold certification, making it the fourth building in Portugal to achieve this seal awarded by the Well Institute.
The WELL certification, from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), which evaluates the conditions of those who live or work in buildings, is a prestigious designation for buildings that meet rigorous health and well-being standards. This certification involves a comprehensive set of strategies aimed at improving the experience of building users through design and operations that ensure healthy and comfortable spaces, promoting physical and mental health.
To achieve WELL Gold certification, a building must earn 60 points in total, with a minimum of 2 points per category. Each category evaluates a specific aspect: air quality, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, community, and mind.
Achieving WELL Gold certification translated into Cofidis’ commitment to implementing measures in the building that promote the health and well-being of employees, such as a nursing room, quiet space, leisure area, multipurpose space for theatre and physical exercise workshops, healthy food alternatives, collaborative spaces, among others. The challenge was especially ambitious considering it is an existing building, increasing the effort of adaptation and the requirement to meet the standards. All these measures promote a differentiated and attractive work environment, creating a sense of community and belonging, which has justified a greater regular presence in the office.
“The Natura Towers have a positive impact on the environment due to their sustainable features, which I highlight: Rainwater harvesting; solar panels that generate clean energy and reduce dependence on non-renewable sources. Vertical garden, which helps improve air quality, provides thermal insulation, and offers a habitat for local biodiversity. Energy efficiency: The project incorporates efficient lighting and climate control systems, minimizing energy consumption. In summary, the Natura Towers are an example of how architecture can be designed to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability,” comments Ricardo Passarinho, Senior Project Manager of the Project & Development Services team at Cushman & Wakefield in Portugal.
“At Cofidis, we are very committed to the well-being of our employees. The investment in the Natura Towers reflects our concern with organizational well-being and has allowed us to expand our well-being program to various dimensions: professional, physical, emotional, and social well-being. We are very proud of this certification, and we hope to inspire other companies to see their spaces as more than buildings, but as engines of transformation and sustainability, which can make a difference in the lives of their employees,” says Pavlina Borovkova, Chief Financial and Legal Officer of Cofidis Portugal.
It should be noted that the new Cofidis headquarters was inaugurated in 2022 and is located in the Natura Towers – in Lisbon. At the time, it involved an investment of 46.5 million euros and houses around 750 employees of the French multinational in Portugal, with Cushman & Wakefield being the entity chosen to carry out the architectural project and project management of the work, which totaled more than 10,000 sq.m.
Cushman & Wakefield has been investing in the area of Sustainability & ESG, with a team prepared to carry out certifications that promote building sustainability (BREEAM and LEED) and the well-being and health of its users (WELL and FITWEL).
