Sustera’s path to the highest level of WELL certification

Creating a WELL Platinum headquarters

WELL is a globally recognized certification system focused on human health, wellbeing and user experience in the built environment. Sustera’s WELL journey began in 2024 with a preliminary assessment as part of a wider office development project. The objective was to bring all Helsinki metropolitan area teams together under one roof in spring 2025. Environmental certification of the property was also a key requirement in the search for new workplace.

From the very beginning, Sustera’s new headquarters were designed with the ambition of achieving the highest possible level of certification. Colony’s existing BREEAM In-Use certification provided a strong foundation for the WELL process and supported the creation of a healthier, more sustainable workplace. The office also serves as a physical expression of Sustera’s renewed brand. Wellbeing, sustainability, and user-focused design are embedded in everyday working life.

The certification process was delivered in close collaboration between Sustera’s in-house designers and HR team. This ensured that the space meets both technical standards and the genuine needs of employees. The process included the WELL Performance Verification phase. As one of Finland’s most experienced testing organizations, Sustera was able to carry out measurements, spot checks and audits to a high standard using its own specialist expertise.

WELL Platinum certification was awarded to Sustera Finland’s headquarters in November 2025.

“Conducting the performance testing in our own premises gave us a valuable opportunity to verify the intended indoor conditions and see how our operating models translate into practice. It also enabled knowledge sharing across teams, as our indoor air and building performance experts gained first-hand insight into what WELL requires from workplaces,” says Matti Nurmi, WELL Performance Testing Auditor at Sustera.

Sustera’s WELL certification journey

The certification was built on a holistic framework that considers nutrition, indoor air quality, lighting, material safety and services that actively support everyday wellbeing.

The office earned points through, for example:

• availability of fresh fruit and vegetables
• high-quality coffee and tea
• easy access to clean drinking water
• sufficient water points and clear practices to support good hand hygiene

Particular attention has also been paid to lighting design, effective use of natural daylight and acoustic comfort.

Movement and ergonomics are supported through facilities such as an on-site gym, secure bicycle storage, height-adjustable workstations and design solutions that encourage the use of stairs.

Low-emission materials have been prioritized, chemical-free cleaning methods are used, and waste management has been implemented in a clear and sustainable manner.

Additional wellbeing-supporting features include:

• dedicated rest rooms
• biophilic and green elements
• training and learning opportunities
• occupational health services and structured approaches to stress management

Community and collaboration were also central design principles. Both the spaces and ways of working have been developed to encourage interaction, teamwork and a strong sense of belonging.

A practical tool for improving wellbeing

WELL Platinum certification demonstrates that Sustera delivers on the same principles internally that it promotes to its clients: creating environments that actively support health, safety and wellbeing.

Employee feedback shows a high level of satisfaction with the new headquarters. Respondents particularly praised the variety of workspaces, welcoming café and break areas, and well-designed meeting rooms. These features are seen as supporting both focused work and everyday collaboration. The car park, high-quality ventilation, good acoustics and additional amenities such as the gym and morning sauna were also highlighted.

The question “How satisfied are you with the comfort and overall look and feel of the office?” received an average score of 4.28 out of 5.

“I am extremely proud of the WELL Platinum certification achieved for Sustera’s headquarters. Having delivered several WELL projects for our clients, it was clear that we wanted to apply the same people-first principles to our own workplace and verify them through certification. Achieving Platinum level confirms that our spaces and ways of working genuinely put people at the center. It has been particularly rewarding to see a clear increase in office attendance since the move,” says Konsta Tuokko, Head of Energy & Sustainability and long-standing WELL consultant at Sustera.