National Bank of Canada has reached a new milestone in health and well-being at its head office in downtown Montreal. The bank proudly announced that National Bank Place has officially achieved WELL Certification Gold, a recognition that underscores the importance placed on the health and well-being of everyone who works in and experiences the building daily.
What is WELL Certification?
WELL Certification is a framework that prioritizes people, their health, and well-being in building design and operations. Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), it complements other approaches such as sustainable development and ESG strategies.
Key Concepts and Features
The certification level is based on specific requirements and a rigorous evaluation across 10 key concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Movement, Mind, and Community. At National Bank Place, this is reflected through:
- Amenities designed to promote well-being, including green spaces, terraces, relaxation areas, and biophilic design principles.
- Facilities that encourage physical activity, such as a fully equipped fitness centre on the 39th floor with panoramic city views and over 400 secure indoor bicycle parking spaces.
- An abundance of natural light from floor-to-ceiling glazing, with automated blinds for visual comfort.
- Use of low-VOC materials and furniture, plus recycling stations on every floor.
- Focus on air quality and thermal comfort with high-performance systems and smart controls.
Other Recognitions
This announcement is part of ongoing efforts to enhance performance at National Bank Place, which also holds LEED Gold certification. The building ranks No. 1 in Canada by floor area among WELL v2/v2 pilot projects under the WELL Certification typology, at 1,212,426 sq. ft., and No. 3 in North America and No. 13 worldwide.
Quotes
“Achieving Gold level WELL Certification for National Bank Place reaffirms our commitment to making our head office a true living environment, with people at the heart of the project,” said Donald Simoneau, Assistant Vice-President, Real Estate Business Strategy, National Bank. “Behind this recognition is rigorous work and the mobilization of many teams—with a clear objective: to provide a harmonious, healthy and stimulating work environment that supports the well-being of everyone who occupies it.”
“In order to create a space that fosters the expression of this new vertical community, our interior design approach was largely inspired by the concepts of the WELL Standard,” added a design representative. “It proved to be a decisive tool, strongly contributing to the project’s fundamental objectives: to provide a harmonious workplace—an authentic living environment—where nature, real or interpreted, brings a sense of well-being to occupants; to place people at the centre of the project and provide them with dedicated spaces for connection and collaboration—open, comfortable and inspiring spaces.”
