JEA Headquarters Earns Well Certification for Innovative, Employee-Centric Design

[Jacksonville, Fla.]— Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) recently earned the prestigious WELL Silver certification from the International WELL Building Institute for its new corporate headquarters, a state-of-the-art facility designed in collaboration with RS&H to enhance employee well-being and highlight a more sustainable future for the community-owned electric utility company located in the heart of Jacksonville’s urban core. This achievement underscores JEA’s commitment to creating a fresh, collaborative environment for its multi-generational workforce while setting a benchmark for future development.   

“JEA’s corporate headquarters receiving WELL Silver certification represents a major achievement in sustainability and innovation,” said Andrew “Andy” Wheeler, Executive Vice President and Buildings National Operations Leader at RS&H. “The opportunity to collaborate with JEA on this project has been truly inspiring, and we are proud to have played a role in supporting their mission of creating a healthy, high-performance environment.”   

Driven by a vision to foster a ‘work from anywhere’ culture, JEA’s new corporate headquarters features reservable workspaces, onsite storage lockers, open floorplans, work cafes, phone rooms, breakrooms, and pantries with workspaces broken up into smaller neighborhood-like zones, designed to appeal to JEA’s current workforce while advancing their effort to retain and recruit new employees. The headquarters prioritizes employee well-being by incorporating natural light, advanced air filtration systems, and flexible floorplans to promote physical and mental wellness. Outdoor workspaces, ergonomic furniture, and relaxation areas were specifically designed to foster a connection with nature and offer captivating views of the city  

Interior design and furniture options were developed through close coordination between the RS&H team and JEA’s employees, ensuring the spaces aligned with the organization’s needs while still capturing Jacksonville’s unique charm. The headquarters building was also designed to include advanced audio/visual technology with full wireless capabilities, enhancing both flexibility and connectivity in the workplace.   

RS&H supported JEA in realizing its corporate headquarters goals by reprogramming the interior spaces to maximize efficiency and maintain high design and functionality standards. The firm’s involvement in the project demonstrates its dedication to producing forward-thinking designs and a broader commitment to sustainability and resiliency in every project it undertakes.   

“Working on the JEA corporate headquarters project was an exciting and rewarding challenge,” said Kristen Bolt, AIA, ID, Senior Project Manager. “By incorporating JEA’s vision for the future, we designed a functional and innovative workspace and witnessed one of our projects earn a WELL Silver certification. It’s a tremendous achievement we’re excited to see come to life.”  

WELL certification is a global standard recognizing buildings designed to prioritize the health and well-being of their occupants. Developed by the International WELL Building Institute, this certification evaluates how well buildings promote sustainability and well-being. To achieve this certification, projects must implement a specific subset of features or strategies within the 10 WELL concepts, including: air, water, thermal comfort, light, movement, nourishment, sound, mind, community, and materials. Achieving WELL certification demonstrates a commitment to creating high-performing spaces that support and prioritize occupant health.  

The new JEA corporate headquarters is also certified LEED Gold for the tenant improvements, core, and shell. The project was honored with a CREW Impact award in 2023 and the IIDA’s Best Use of Materials award in 2024.  

About RS&H

Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering, and consulting firms whose associates work hard every day to create a more connected future where everyone can thrive. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future for clients in the aerospace, aviation, corporate, federal, healthcare and science, and transportation markets. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities and build relationships as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together.