At MacDonald-Miller, we make buildings work better, and that includes prioritizing the health and well-being of the people inside them.
As a signatory of the Climate Pledge, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond standard compliance. With the pursuit of Fitwel certification for our offices, we are now exploring even further.
Fitwel is a people-focused real estate certification program, originally created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and General Services Administration, that provides a roadmap for enhanced building design and operations to encourage health and well-being.
We sat down with Marisa Zylkowski, our Director of Sustainable Design, to understand how Fitwel is helping us elevate what we consider sustainability, both for our company and our clients.
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Q: How is MacMiller’s pursuit of FitWel certification expanding our definition of sustainability?
MZ: Traditionally, when we strive to be more “sustainable,” we think about recycling more and reducing energy bills. And in the last 10 years, there’s been a shift to think about buildings as systems that can enhance our way of life in a deeper way, expanding the definition of sustainability.
One of my mottos is “We need to sustain-or take care of- ourselves (each other) before we can sustain our buildings.” Incorporating Fitwel measures brings attention to how our buildings sustain people day-to-day as places where we want to be, so we can show up each day in a place that we enjoy, are proud of, and encourages us to be our best selves and healthy
It makes sense to address both building performance and the experience of the occupants within our buildings in tandem— both contribute to “sustainability” in complementary ways by supporting human health and longevity through the lens of our designed spaces.
Q: What are some examples of building features that enhance occupant well-being?
MZ: Our day-to-day decisions are influenced by the interior design of the buildings. The ability to find stairs in a high-rise, for example, may either encourage or hinder their use. Folks who are able to use the stairs often hit the ‘easy button’ and opt for the elevator because it’s easier to find and a habit. This consumes energy and reduces active time. Fitwel encourages making stairwells more attractive via signage and art. It’s a simple move to say, “Yes, you belong here, are welcome, and it’s not a scary egress route.”
As a mother with two young children, I applaud the Fitwel program for placing high importance on spaces for pumping. Knowing well that most people have experienced or know someone who has struggled with mental health, the Fitwel credit for quiet rooms, health services, and acoustic comfort can create a more welcoming and supportive work environment.
Additionally, Fitwel takes into consideration healthy food options and access to water bottle refill stations. In a lot of cases, much of this is already designed into our buildings or can be addressed by simple changes, like shifting an office Costco Business order to provide an option for healthier snacks such as fruit, as an alternative to high-sugar, high-sodium options.
Q: How has the process to become FitWel certified been so far?
MZ: The whole process has been great–acknowledging what’s within our control and identifying quick wins to see where we can make a positive impact, even as a tenant has been a worthwhile experiment.
Fitwel itself is a pretty simple process. First step is to gather stakeholders to get buy-in before registering. Registration is $500 per building. Then, there’s a series of checklist items that we go through related to operations and developing policies. As items are completed, we check them off and document them. Documentation, such as a PDF policy from an employee handbook or a photograph of signage, or an improvement, is then submitted to the Fitwel Portal. They review it and provide feedback if needed. From there, we receive approval, pay a certification fee, and the process will be complete.
To date, we’ve completed our preliminary checklist and are in-process, considering associated costs for any changes with our various internal teams (workplace services, engineering, marketing, HR benefits).
By the end of 2026, we are aiming to achieve Fitwel certification for three offices (Portland West, SeaTac headquarters, and Spokane).
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Look for updates on MacMiller’s progress toward FitWell certification here soon.
If you have questions or would like help pursuing Fitwel certifications or other sustainability initiatives for your organization, contact MacDonald-Miller today.
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