Mohawk Group Set to Achieve WELL Health-Safety Rating

Mohawk Group, a producer and distributor of commercial flooring, announced in a press release that all of its design studios and commercial showrooms are set to receive a WELL Health-Safety Rating, as determined by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Mohawk is among the first flooring manufacturers to meet this standard.

The rating is meant to indicate a facility’s impact on community health. IWBI developed the WELL standard to focus on health and wellness inside buildings, considering factors like interior water and air quality, health-service resources, sanitizing and cleaning procedures, innovation, operational and maintenance policies, emergency plans, and stakeholder engagement.

“The rating is a third-party stamp of approval saying that our showrooms and spaces are clean and safe,” said Mohawk’s vice president of marketing and product development, Jackie Dettmar. “A WELL seal outside means people can feel safer inside.”

IWBI developed and modified the WELL Health-Safety Rating over a few years, most notably during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. In line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), global disease control and prevention centers, and academic and research institutions, the rating is evidence-based and third-party verified. The institute announced this month that its projects have hit the 1.5 billion SF mark in more than 80 countries, up from 500 million SF in less than 60 countries less than a year ago.

According to Mohawk senior manager of sustainability Ramie Vagal, “The WELL seal instills confidence and trust throughout the community as it ensures integrity, consistency and results. We believe our ranking communicates our commitment to the health and well-being of anyone who visits or works within our spaces.”

Mohawk Group will get access to a wider variety of health and safety maintenance strategies, as well as more specific methods to lessen the chance of disease transmission. Its WELL rating suggests an above-and-beyond level of commitment to public health and wellness, particularly against the background of the coronavirus pandemic.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Kentucky Receives $150M Gift Toward New Arts District

    The University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees recently received a $150-million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation, according to a university news release, to build a new arts district on the campus in Lexington, Ky. The new district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building and a multi-hundred-seat theater, among other amenities.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Geometrik

    Armstrong World Industries, designer and manufacturer of interior and exterior architectural applications like ceilings, walls, and metal solutions, recently announced its acquisition of Canada-based Geometrik, according to a news release. The British Columbian Geometrik specializes in designing and manufacturing wood acoustical and wall systems.

  • DLR Group Appoints New K–12 Education Practice Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has named its new global K–12 Education leader, Senior Principal Carmen Wyckoff, AIA, LEED AP, according to a news release. Her teams have members in all 36 of the firm’s offices in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Europe, and Asia.

Digital Edition