Delos Headquarters, New York

Located in the prestigious new 860 Washington Street building, in the heart of the city’s trendy Meatpacking District, the pioneering organization has created a workplace that inspires staff and visitors with its healthy, flexible, and environmentally responsible design.

The project has achieved WELL Platinum Certification and Living Building Challenge Petal Certification and is on track to achieve LEED v4 Certification, embodying Delos’ high standards across multiple areas to create a healthy, sustainable, and adaptable work environment.

Delos needed a strategic consultant that would bring a holistic approach to realising its vision. WSP was the clear choice. Our sustainability consultants have a long relationship with Delos having worked with the organization since its inception.

Our first step was to facilitate an integrative design workshop with the client and project team to clarify and prioritize the project health and sustainability goals. The workshop outcomes were used to create an enhanced Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) document. This defined the fit-out project’s goals; formulated metrics to measure success; clarified additional deliverables; and set out the scheme’s intended outcomes.

A key element of the OPR was the creation of a Biophilia Plan, based on the latest research available, to ensure the two-level workspace covering 19,318 sq. ft. would provide a sensoryrich, daylight-filled environment that provides real connections to nature and the outdoors.

WSP was also instrumental in defining and validating design concepts for the project. The open plan offices include ergonomic workstations, that are adjustable and ‘active’ allowing people to stand and walk around if desired. Private ‘cubby holes’ provide space for concentration and phone calls, while the conference rooms, café, and terrace help foster interaction and collaboration.

Another key space is a multifunctional laboratory that showcases environmental and health data, and aids in applied research. Delos’ new headquarters is equipped to provide data to aid the organisation’s research into healthy workplaces, for example, with sensors and controls that measure the quality of light and air throughout the day and year.

A building that performs against environmental measures with minimal waste was fundamental to the scheme. So WSP completed a detailed analysis of plug loads and water use, recommending controls and occupant-based strategies for achieving energy savings where possible.

In September 2017, Delos opened its doors to an office that positively impacts the health and wellbeing of its staff and also serves as a beacon of inspiration to workplace designers and employers across the world.