World’s first WELL Coworking Rated flexible workspace
Koba launches 100 Barbirolli Sq location as the world's first WELL Coworking Rated flexible workspace responding to growing demand for healthier workspaces
What does this mean?
In April 2024, the International WELL Building Institute(IWBI), the global authority on advancing healthy buildings, organisations and communities, and The Instant Group, announced a strategic partnership to spur health and well-being practices in coworking and flexible workspaces. This has culminated in the launch of the first-of-its-kind healthy buildings rating for coworking operators.
The Koba team joined a pilot cohort of organisations and worked with IWBI and The Instant Group to help shape a pioneering leadership benchmark designed for coworking and flexible spaces – the WELL Coworking Rating. The collaborative cohort also committed to being the first to enroll in the new rating.
What does the rating cover?
The new rating, derived from the researched-backed health strategies in the WELL Building Standard, includes nearly 50 features spanning all 10 concepts in WELL, including air and water quality, light, thermal comfort, movement and nourishment. The rating serves to validate and showcase how coworking and flexible workspaces meet evidence-based health and well-being measures.
What do we think?
Rob Stewart, Director of Strategy and Sustainability at Koba, said: “We are proud to be part of a selected cohort of businesses that has helped to push industry standards forward as this is central to our mission and indeed part of our manifesto commitment to share our lessons and learning with the broader industry.
“For Koba and Manchester to be recognised as the first site and city globally to achieve the rating is just a genuine thrill. And for our residents, both current and future, it’s a sign that we are laser-focused on providing workspaces that are backed by evidence on health, well-being and sustainability. Koba was created before the WELL Coworking Rating was developed, so to receive the rating is true testament not only to our own vision, but the quality of our partners at Cast Interiors too.”