BDP Quadrangle's Toronto studio achieves prestigious WELL Platinum certification
First and only architecture studio in Canada to receive WELL Certification at the Platinum level.
BDP Quadrangle's Toronto studio has achieved WELL Certification at the Platinum level from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), making it the first and only architecture workplace in Canada to attain this distinction under the rigorous WELL v2 standard. The studio is one of just nine projects across Canada to achieve WELL Certification at the Platinum level.
Located in The Well, a LEED Platinum–certified mixed-use development in downtown Toronto, the ~40,000-square-foot, two-floor studio serves as the North American headquarters for BDP. Purposefully designed to reflect BDP's values, the studio is both a high-performing workspace and a working prototype for the future of architectural practice.
“Designing our own workplace was both a responsibility and an opportunity. We approached the project as a living lab, integrating sustainable materials, smart systems, and inclusive design principles to support the health, wellbeing, and creativity of our entire team. Achieving WELL Platinum validates our belief that the spaces we design must elevate both people and planet.”
"Achieving WELL Platinum validates our belief that the spaces we design must elevate both people and planet. As the first architecture firm in Canada to achieve this prestigious distinction, BDP Quadrangle is setting a new standard for people-first design in workplaces, advancing health, well-being and innovation in the built environment. IWBI is proud to congratulate BDP Quadrangle Toronto on this incredible accomplishment.”
WELL is the leading global building standard focused exclusively on human health and wellness. Certification is based on performance in ten categories: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, and Community. Achieving Platinum, the highest tier of the WELL Certification, BDP Quadrangle demonstrates a holistic approach to workplace wellbeing.
The studio was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the firm to envision a space that is flexible, inclusive, resilient, and supportive of hybrid work models. Guided by BDP's Science Based Target to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 46.2% by 2030, the project emphasized performance metrics, stakeholder engagement, and circular economy principles throughout.
“Achieving WELL Platinum reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a workspace that supports the health, comfort, and performance of every person who walks through our doors. This recognition is the result of a deeply collaborative effort—grounded in rigorous analysis, thoughtful design, and a shared belief that sustainability and well-being must be embedded in every decision we make.”
The WELL Certification process includes comprehensive third-party evaluations to ensure that projects meet or exceed stringent health and well-being criteria. BDP Quadrangle’s success sets a new benchmark for the architectural industry and reaffirms the studio’s commitment to leading by example in shaping a healthier, more resilient built environment.