Neenah, Wis. (July 8, 2021) – SECURA Insurance has been awarded WELL Certification at the Gold level for its home office by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The prestigious distinction was awarded through IWBI’s WELL v2, the latest version of the WELL Building Standard. WELL is the premier building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and well-being through the buildings where we live, work, and play.
The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based certification system that marries best practices in design and construction with evidence-based scientific research. The SECURA home office, designed by Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) and constructed by C.D. Smith, earned the distinction based on ten categories of building performance – Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Materials, Sound, Mind, and Community – and achieved a Gold level rating.
SECURA started the process to pursue a WELL Certification when it began the design for its home office building, which opened in October 2019. Building elements like lighting, air quality, and flexible work spaces, along with company policies and resources for continuing education and mental health support were all designed to make sure associates are supported and have a safe and healthy environment to work in.
“From the onset of planning our new home office, Clint Dusenbery, SECURA Manager – Facilities, and the executive team had a vision of creating an associate building that would be focused on wellbeing,” said Garth Wicinsky, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “From the natural lighting, the quality of the air, and the many other associate-centered features, we purposely designed the building with associate health in mind.”
To be awarded WELL Certification by IWBI, SECURA underwent rigorous testing and a final evaluation carried out by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which is the third-party certification body for WELL, to ensure it met all WELL Certified Gold performance requirements.
SECURA is the first insurance company in Wisconsin to earn the WELL Certification and one of only two buildings in the state that are certified.