The WELL Building Standard is a global certification system administered by the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), a US NPO that evaluates the environmental performance of buildings and their impact on human health and wellness.
WELL Core ratings provide assessments in 10 “concepts” (categories)—air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community—covering more than 200 specific “features” (characteristics). Four ratings, from Bronze to Platinum, are awarded based on overall performance.
Both Mori Building Co., Ltd. properties were precertified at the planning stage. After construction was completed, IWBI conducted a site survey to confirm certification.
Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower and Toranomon Hills Station Tower received high marks for promoting physical activity with plazas and decks for walking, healthy meals at Hills House Azabudai and Tokyo Node Cafe, and high‐performance air filtration for clean indoor air. Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower is the largest property in Japan to receive a WELL Core certification.
Rachel Hodgdon, president and CEO of IWBI, said the certifications were:
“… outstanding examples of how people‐first places can energize and enrich entire communities. Mori is using WELL to set a new benchmark for creating healthier and more resilient urban spaces and we honor their leadership in this critical work.”
Mori Building’s urban development initiatives in Japan and abroad will continue to contribute to sustainability by pursuing the symbiosis between cities and nature, the decarbonization of cities, and the realization of resource‐circulating cities.
Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower
Azabudai Hills’ design, exterior and overall planning are centered on the concept of Green & Wellness, with a focus on the health and comfort of users. This is the largest property in Japan to have received a WELL certification on any level.
Evaluation highlights
Movement & Community: Easy access on foot and physical‐activity events in Central Green and other locations
Mind: Design incorporates nature and art
Nourishment: Fruit orchard and provision of healthy meals at Hills House Azabudai
Air: High‐performance air‐conditioning filters maintain high‐level air quality
Other wellness initiatives
Water: Water purifiers in office common areas and hydration stations in Central Green Air: Provision of service for visualizing air quality in offices
Toranomon Hills Station Tower
Toranomon Hills is Tokyo’s newest and most advanced international hub and global business center, where diverse companies and global players gather and new ideas and values are transmitted. Toranomon Hills Station Tower, which opened in October 2023, features offices that meet diverse needs and accommodate new ways of working, a cafe and bar serving food that is good for people and the environment, a pedestrian deck that spans the tower and major roads, and the Station Atrium and underground pedestrian walkways that integrate the station with the surrounding area.
Evaluation highlights
Mind: Design incorporates nature and art
Air: High‐performance air‐conditioning filters maintain high‐level air quality
Nourishment: Tokyo Node Cafe serves healthy meals that are good for people and the environment
Movement: Layout promotes area‐wide circulation, not just in building, such as convenient deck for walking
Other wellness initiatives
Water: Water purifiers in office common areas
