Building Award nominee: Assael Architecture - architect

A culture of wellbeing

Assael says the wellbeing of its staff is its main priority – it has an exceptional flexible working policy to foster a good work-life balance. This year it created a ground-breaking sector initiative, the Architects’ Mental Wellbeing Forum, which meets quarterly to develop ways to improve mental wellbeing across the industry, and reduce the stigma around it. This is led by a senior architect who is a trained mental health first aider. On the physical health side, staff have private medical insurance, which includes discounted gym membership, bikes and physio sessions, while the company runs a cycle club, sports teams and yoga and ballet classes. The offices are also designed with wellbeing in mind – there is a completely open-plan layout and a comfortable ”flexible space” filled with plants for staff to spend time away from desks.

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