ASID has moved into its new headquarters in Washington, D.C. Designed by Perkins+Will, the new space focuses on themes of health, wellness, well-being and sustainability; it’s also registered for the WELL Building Standard and LEED, and is aiming to earn platinum level for both certifications. Spanning 8,500 square feet, the space is replete with innovative features, including a circadian lighting system that echoes the cycle of natural light, fully automated shades that adjust height based on where the sun is in the sky, and sit-stand desks.

“At ASID, we are proud to have created a space that reflects what we believe—design impacts lives,” says ASID CEO Randy Fiser. “As the leader in research and innovation for the interior design profession, we applied principles that improve the health and wellness of our staff. This will have a direct and significant influence on employee productivity, efficiency and creativity. We will evaluate the success of the space and share the findings with the larger design community to advance the future of workplaces.”

According to ASID, “The primary goal was to create a space that supported health, wellness and the well-being of employees, which would improve the organization’s productivity, engagement and retention.”

To that end, ASID honed in on seven principles: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort and Mind, with features such as a hydration station; fresh fruit and vegetables; 90 percent natural light; gym access; sound-reducing acoustics; six different styles of meeting rooms with whiteboard walls, TV screens and notation tables; and a wellness room for relaxation.

The space is also being run as a “living lab,” with staff volunteering to participate in a pre- and post-occupancy research study funded by ASID Foundation and partner Cornell University to determine how the design impacts health and productivity.