WELL Platinum recognition for Jo Cox More in Common Centre

Pictured above are Professor Bob Cryan CBE, University Vice-Chancellor, and Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice-President from IWBI.

The Jo Cox More in Common Centre at the University of Huddersfield has been awarded with Platinum WELL certification for the emphasis placed on health on wellbeing in the design and operation of the building.

The Centre became only the third Platinum WELL certified campus building in the world, and the first in the UK in recognition of the design and operational strategies focussed on the health and wellbeing of everyone who visits and uses the building.

The Platinum certification was awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for transforming health and well-being through buildings, organizations and communities.

IWBI describe WELL as, “…a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.”

"We are very proud of the Jo Cox More in Common Centre on so many levels, and being awarded WELL Platinum is the icing on the cake," said University Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan CBE at a ceremony where the WELL Platinum plaque was unveiled.

"We wanted an environment that was welcoming and calming for all visitors to the building, to help everyone coming here to gather, socialise, worship, and celebrate the common factors that unite them, in line with Jo Cox’s philosophy. It was vital that the University’s community and faith facilities represented the same commitments to working for stronger communities, mutual respect and fairness that were championed by Jo Cox herself."

Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice-President from IWBI, added, “From the beginning, we recognized the University of Huddersfield as leaders in advancing health and well-being as a priority in post-secondary education. We are pleased to be able to collaborate with an esteemed institution that believes in the power of a scientific, evidence-based approach while implementing practical strategies for the benefit of our health.”

Health-centred WELL design features at the Jo Cox More in Common Centre include:

• advanced indoor air quality and an active monitoring system
• easy access to quality drinking water outlets to promote hydration
• underfloor heating for high level of thermal comfort
• a ‘living wall’ by the main entrance to the building
• healthy materials throughout
• biophilic designs for increased access to nature
• integrated universal design for equitable enjoyment of the space.

The Jo Cox More in Common Centre, completed in 2023, is at the heart of the University campus. The building is designed to provide a welcoming, calming environment for students and staff of all faiths, or none. It provides the university community with dedicated space to gather, socialise, worship, and celebrate the common factors that unite them – closely aligned with the philosophy of the late Jo Cox MP.

The University’s main partners in the design, building and completion of the Centre were architects Bond Bryant, construction consultants Morgan Sindall Group, WELL standard consultants Forsta Projects and sustainability consultancy Carbon Climate Certified.