Perspectives VF Corporation Earns Fitwel® Certification

BranchPattern congratulates the VF Corporation (VF) for their decision to incorporate the Fitwel^® Certification process into their new Headquarters in downtown Denver, CO.

Fitwel^® is building certification program ‘committed to building health for all’^®. The program’s vision includes “a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being.”

VF engaged BranchPattern to provide guidance in choosing the best health and wellness certification option. It was important to VF to partner with an organization that could evaluate the progress already made in their nearly completed Headquarters and help guide future decisions that promoted positive occupant health, making the Fitwel^® program the best choice.

“An important part of VF’s purpose is incorporating “active lifestyles” to enhance the planet and people. Since the building was already designed and mostly built once the VF decided to pursue a Fitwel^® certification, there was very little room for modifications. The ability to find activity within a building is a fundamental part of Fitwel^®,” said Dannie DiIonno, Net-Zero Advocacy Manager at BranchPattern.

Staircases, gyms, and signage encouraging activity were all fundamental to VF’s new HQ building, as was earning as many Fitwel^® points as possible. The Fitwel^® scorecard aligned nicely with elements of the building that were already planned as well as the location of the building being in the downtown Denver core. With many of the building features already earning points through Fitwel^®, this demonstrated VF’s commitment to health and well-being of their employees even before knowing they’d pursue a health-specific certification.

“VF’s main objective was to earn a one-star certification through Fitwel^®.  In January 2021, VF met their goal of earning Fitwel^® certification. What’s most impressive is they were able to do so without modifications to the original design. A major feat and testament to VF’s commitment to healthy practices already in place for their employees,” said Dannie. “This showed that through their original design concepts and commitment to their employees the building earned this impressive certification. In the future, we’re hoping to help VF incorporate some Fitwel^® credits early on and see if they can earn two or three star certifications in new projects.”

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VF Corporation
An American worldwide apparel and footwear company founded in 1899 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The company’s more than 30 brands are organized into three categories: Outdoor, Active and Work. The company controls 55% of the U.S. backpack market with the JanSport, Eastpak, Timberland, and North Face brands.

Fitwel
The world’s leading certification system committed to building health for all^®. It’s vision includes a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being.