#Sustainability #Japan #Tokyo #LEED certification #WELL Certification

Discover the Future of Sustainability Certifications

As the world increasingly prioritizes sustainability, knowledge surrounding international certification systems becomes crucial. To address this, Von Elf Corporation is hosting a free hybrid seminar series aimed at sharing the latest insights and practical case studies related to sustainability certifications like LEED and WELL. The first seminar will take place on August 20, 2025, and offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage in a collaborative learning environment, both in-person and online.

About the Seminar Series

The inaugural event, titled "The Synergy of LEED and WELL: Why Sustainability Pioneers Pursue Both Certifications," will be on August 20, 2025. This session will highlight advanced projects showcasing both LEED and WELL certifications, elucidating the synergies between the two and explaining the advantages and practical considerations of integrating both certifications into project planning.

Participants will benefit from expert-led discussions that clarify the distinguishing features and overlaps of LEED and WELL. Understanding these differences is essential for creating high-quality sustainable environments, especially for those contemplating the pursuit of certification.

Seminar Details

• - Date and Time: August 20, 2025 (Wednesday), 17:00 to 18:00 (doors open at 16:30)
• - Networking Event: 18:00 to 19:30 (optional)
• - Format: Hybrid (in-person and online)
• - Venue: Place W, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
• - Online Platform: Teams Town Hall
• - Capacity: 25 participants for in-person attendance (registration closes when full), no limit for online attendees
• - Participation Fee: Free (pre-registration required by August 19, 2025)

Understanding LEED and WELL

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and WELL are essential certifications that cater to sustainability and human health, respectively. While LEED evaluates a project’s environmental performance, WELL focuses on enhancing well-being through human-centered design, promoting both physical and mental health within the built environment.

The certifications are often perceived as distinct, with LEED addressing planetary health and WELL concentrating on individual wellness. However, both approaches are complementary and can be synergized for superior environmental quality. It’s essential to go beyond surface-level interpretations to appreciate their intrinsic values fully.

Both certification bodies, the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC) for LEED and the International Well Building Institute™ (IWBI) for WELL, have established collaborative mechanisms to streamline the certification process for those aiming to achieve both.

Speakers for the Event

The seminar will feature esteemed speakers:

• - Kana Mizutani, Senior Consultant at Von Elf Corporation, has extensive experience in energy efficiency for large buildings and has contributed to research on thermal comfort and productivity. Since joining Von Elf in 2018, she has been dedicated to promoting sustainability through various certification processes.
• - Yoshiko Watanabe, WELL Consultant at Von Elf Corporation, specializes in integrating sensory design into projects to enhance environmental quality. She brings a wealth of experience in guiding projects towards simultaneous LEED and WELL certification since joining the firm in 2020.

How to Register

Interested participants can register for the seminar through the following link: Registration Form. Online attendees will receive a link to participate the week prior to the event.

Upcoming Seminars

Von Elf will continue hosting seminars on sustainability-related topics in both hybrid formats. Following the August seminar, the upcoming sessions include:
1. September 17, 2025: "WELL and Sustainable Finance Practices - New Health Investment Strategies at Scale"
2. October 15, 2025: "LEED v5 Walkthrough & Upcoming Registration Deadlines"
3. November 19, 2025: "Maximizing Asset Value with BREEAM In-Use"

Details for these future seminars and the registration links will be announced on Von Elf's official website.

Archive Access

Participants can also access recordings of previous webinars upon application. A list of the current offerings includes topics like LEED New Construction and WELL Certification, TRUE Certification for Zero Waste, and strategies for building decarbonization.

For inquiries, please contact us at w-contact@woonerf.jp (Attention: Ohtake).

Join us in paving the way towards a sustainable future through education and community engagement!