“KANEKA Wellness Center Kaze no Mori™”, the Health Mother Center of Kaneka, Achieves the “Platinum” rank for the WELL Building Standard®

KANEKA CORPORATION
October 16, 2023

Kaneka Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Minoru Tanaka) is pleased to announce that its symbol of “Health Management”, “Kaneka Wellness Center Kaze no Mori^TM” (Kaze no Mori^TM), has achieved the highest "Platinum" rank for the WELL Building Standard^®*1(WELL Certification), an evaluation system for health building performance in the United States.

WELL Certification is an internationally recognized certification system originating from the United States that places a primary focus on enhancing the health and well-being of occupants as well as building’s environmental conservation and energy efficiency. This certification system was established by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a United States-based public interest company. Its core mission is to foster superior living environments by integrating a profound focus on "human health" into the realms of design, construction, and operational practices. This certification consists of 10 concepts (air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community) and innovation, and is rated in three certification levels (silver, gold, and platinum) based on scores of 23 mandatory features and 89 additional features.
There are only 16 projects certified with the highest rank, "Platinum," in Japan as of September 2023.

Kaze no Mori^TM employs Kaneka’s proprietary exterior insulation method, "Solar Circuit^TM", incorporating "Kanelite Foam^TM α" for insulation, roof tile integrated solar cells known as "VISOLA^TM", and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lighting. It was awarded the highest rating of "Zero Energy Building (ZEB)" from BELS^*2 (Building-Housing Energy- efficiency Labeling System). Kaze no Mori^TM contributes to healthy global environment and promotes the well-being of individuals, including employees. It serves a dual purpose as a "Wellness Life & Work Lab" addressing lifestyle improvement, preventive medicine, and pre-existing conditions, and as a "Wellness Lounge" where employees can relax, engage in communication, and collaborate.

Kaneka is deeply committed to fostering a work culture that aligns with the contemporary lifestyle. Kaneka firmly believes that a company's sustainable growth is intrinsically linked to the development of its people, encapsulated by the principle that "a business is only as strong as its people" (Human-Driven Company). To realize its vision of "Wellness First" health management for a healthier world, the company is dedicated to actively promoting the creation of workplace that prioritizes the health and well-being of employees. Its aim is to provide an environment where they can feel healthy and fulfilled in their work and can fully leverage their potential.

WELL Certificate

Roofs equipped with VISOLA^TM and see-through solar panels

Interior of Kaze no Mori^TM

Entrance of Kaze no Mori^TM

*1. WELL Building Standard is a registered trademark of International Well Building Institute PBC.

*2. A building energy efficiency performance indication system in which a third-party evaluation organization evaluates and certifies the energy efficiency performance of new and existing buildings.

＜KANEKA Wellness Center Kaze no Mori Overview＞
Location: 1-21, Okihama-cho, Takasago-cho, Takasago-shi, Hyogo
Design & Plan: Kengo Kuma & Associates, Taisei Corporation　