Reference 5 - WELL Building Standard Principles and Opportunities Letter_Andrew Goodwin Designs.pdf

ANDREW GOODWIN DESIGNS

DESIGN | ARCHITECTURE | PLANNING

Andrew Goodwin, AIA

AGD Architecture + Design

1238 Monterey Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

805-439-1611

June 12, 2026

Mitchell Cameron and Ryan Mitchell

Administrative Services Department

City of Camarillo

601 Carmen Drive

Camarillo, CA 93010

805-383-5432

Re: WELL Building Standard Principles and Opportunities for the Camarillo City Hall Remodel

Dear Mr. Cameron, Mr. Mitchell, and Members of the City Hall Project Team, As part of AGD’s ongoing evaluation of sustainability, wellness, and long-term building performance for the Camarillo City Hall Remodel, we have reviewed the project through the lens of the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL Building Standard. While the City is not currently pursuing WELL Certification, many of the goals identified during the Needs

Assessment, Visioning Workshop, Owner’s Project Requirements, and LEED review process strongly align with WELL principles.

The WELL Building Standard is unique in that it focuses less on the building itself and more on the people who occupy it. The program is built around ten core concepts intended to improve human health, wellness, productivity, and quality of life within the built environment. As City Hall serves as both a workplace for public servants and a destination for residents seeking services, many of these concepts provide valuable guidance for design decisions throughout the project.

The following summarizes each WELL concept and how the Camarillo City Hall Remodel currently supports or could further support these objectives.

AIR

The WELL Air concept focuses on improving indoor air quality and reducing occupant exposure to pollutants that can negatively affect health, cognitive function, and comfort. The City Hall

Remodel strongly aligns with this principle through the planned modernization of the HVAC systems, improved ventilation strategies, enhanced filtration, and the replacement of aging mechanical equipment. The project focus on improved indoor environmental quality, MERV-13 or greater filtration, outdoor air delivery, and construction-phase indoor air quality management practices supports healthier indoor environments for both staff and visitors. Additional opportunities may include permanent indoor air quality monitoring systems and enhanced filtration strategies to address wildfire smoke events that increasingly affect Southern California communities.

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WATER

The WELL Water concept focuses on providing safe, clean, and accessible drinking water while promoting healthy hydration habits. The planned upgrades to plumbing systems and fixtures create opportunities to improve water quality, reduce water consumption, and modernize aging infrastructure. The project’s emphasis on efficient fixtures and leak detection systems aligns with both LEED and WELL objectives. Additional opportunities may include hydration stations throughout employee areas and periodic water quality testing protocols.

NOURISHMENT

The WELL Nourishment concept encourages healthier food choices and supports employee wellness through access to nutritious food options. Although City Hall is not a food-service facility, opportunities exist within employee break rooms and shared spaces to encourage healthy eating habits through improved kitchen facilities, access to refrigeration, and educational wellness programming.

LIGHT

The WELL Light concept recognizes the relationship between lighting, circadian rhythms, productivity, and mental health. This concept is particularly well aligned with the goals established during the City’s Needs Assessment. The proposed reorganization of interior spaces, increased access to daylight, enhanced views to the exterior landscape, and improvements to the building envelope can significantly improve access to natural light. The design team should continue to prioritize daylight penetration, views to the outdoors, and lighting controls that support occupant comfort throughout the day.

MOVEMENT

The WELL Movement concept encourages physical activity and supports healthy workplace behaviors. The remodel provides opportunities to create a more active workplace through improved circulation patterns, accessible pathways, outdoor gathering spaces, bicycle amenities, and flexible work environments that encourage movement throughout the day.

Providing attractive and accessible stairways, encouraging walking meetings, and creating a variety of work settings can further support this concept.

THERMAL COMFORT

The WELL Thermal Comfort concept focuses on creating indoor environments where occupants can comfortably perform their work without excessive thermal stress. The proposed HVAC modernization and mechanical system upgrades directly support this objective. Improved controls, better zoning strategies, and more responsive systems can help provide greater comfort for employees while reducing energy consumption. Where practical, individual control options should be explored to improve occupant satisfaction.

SOUND

The WELL Sound concept addresses acoustical comfort, speech privacy, and noise reduction.

Feedback received during the Needs Assessment identified noise and privacy concerns throughout several departments. The redesign of workspaces, conference rooms, and collaborative areas provides an opportunity to improve acoustical performance through thoughtful planning and material selection. Acoustic ceilings, sound-absorbing finishes, and strategic separation of public and staff areas can significantly improve workplace satisfaction and productivity.

MATERIALS

The WELL Materials concept promotes the use of products that support human health and reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. The project’s LEED material transparency

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MIND

The WELL Mind concept focuses on mental health, stress reduction, and psychological well-being. Many of the City’s goals identified during the Visioning Workshop align directly with this concept. Increased access to daylight, improved aesthetics, biophilic design elements, collaboration spaces, wellness rooms, family accommodations, and flexible work environments all contribute to a more positive workplace culture. The inclusion of natural materials, views of landscaping, and spaces that support focused work and collaboration can significantly improve employee satisfaction and well-being.

COMMUNITY

The WELL Community concept promotes social equity, inclusion, accessibility, engagement, and a sense of belonging. This may be the concept most aligned with the mission of City Hall itself.

The project’s commitment to accessibility, multilingual wayfinding, all-gender restrooms, family-friendly amenities, neurodiverse design considerations, and improved public service spaces directly supports this principle. As the civic heart of local government, City Hall has a unique opportunity to demonstrate the City’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and service through the design of the built environment.

While formal WELL Certification is not currently being considered for the Camarillo City Hall

Remodel, the project already incorporates many of the principles that define healthy, high-performing workplaces. Through improvements to air quality, daylighting, thermal comfort, acoustics, accessibility, resilience, and employee wellness, the project can create an environment that supports both the people who work within City Hall and the residents they serve.

AGD believes that the most successful public buildings are those that place people at the center of every design decision. Sustainability, resilience, and wellness are not independent goals; they are interconnected strategies that help create healthier employees, stronger communities, and public facilities that continue to serve future generations. By integrating WELL principles alongside LEED objectives, the City of Camarillo can further reinforce its commitment to stewardship, public service, and the well-being of its staff and residents.

Sincerely, Andrew Goodwin, AIA, NCARB

Principal Architect