In recent years, there has been a growing focus on creating healthier and more sustainable buildings. The leading method to achieve this is through achieving WELL Building Certification, a performance based system that measures and monitors the impact of buildings on human health and wellbeing.
What is WELL Building Certification?
Developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the Well Building Certification is the most rigorous and in-depth measure of the impact the built environment has on its occupants in terms of heath and wellbeing. Based on 11 research-backed concepts, each concept has specific features and requirements that must be met in order for a building or project to achieve certification.
1. Air
The WELL Air concept aims to achieve high levels of indoor air quality across a building’s lifetime through diverse strategies that include source elimination or reduction, active and passive building design and operation strategies and human behaviour interventions.
2. Water
The WELL Water concept covers aspects of the quality, distribution and control of liquid water in a building. It includes features that address the availability and contaminant thresholds of drinking water, as well as features targeting the management of water to avoid damage to building materials and environmental conditions.
3. Nourishment
The WELL Nourishment concept requires the availability of fruits and vegetables and nutritional transparency. It encourages the creation of food environments, where the healthiest choice is the easiest choice.
4. Light
The WELL Light concept promotes exposure to light and aims to create lighting environments that promote visual, mental and biological health.
5. Movement
The WELL Movement concept promotes physical activity in everyday life through environmental design, policies and programs to ensure that movement opportunities are integrated into the fabric of our culture, buildings and communities.
6. Thermal Comfort
The WELL Thermal Comfort concept aims to promote human productivity and provide a maximum level of thermal comfort among all building users through improved HVAC system design and control and by meeting individual thermal preferences.
7. Sound
The WELL Sound concept aims to bolster occupant health and well-being through the identification and mitigation of acoustical comfort parameters that shape occupant experiences in the built environment.
8.Materials
The WELL Materials concept aims to reduce human exposure, whether direct or through environmental contamination, to chemicals that may impact health during the construction, remodelling, furnishing and operation of buildings.
9. Mind
The WELL Mind concept promotes mental health through policy, program and design strategies that seek to address the diverse factors that influence cognitive and emotional well-being.
10. Community
The WELL Community concept aims to support access to essential healthcare, build a culture of health that accommodates diverse population needs and establish an inclusive, engaged occupant community.
11. Innovation
Innovation features pave the way for projects to develop unique strategies for creating healthier environments.
Benefits of WELL Certification
The benefits for the occupants of a WELL buildings are well documented and include greater satisfaction, increased productivity and creativity, better mental and physical health as well as fostering a greater sense of community.
The developers and owners of WELL certified buildings experience an increased return on investment as well as enjoying increased demand and up to a 7.7% uplift in value compared to their non-wellness counterparts.
Incorporating health and wellbeing into social sustainability goals can significantly enhance a brand’s commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and reporting.
How we can help
We are WELL Accredited Professionals and qualified to deliver projects to the WELL Building Standard. We work alongside other professional consultants and clients to ensure projects striving for wellness accreditation achieve their certification.
By consulting with a WELL AP, project teams can optimise the design, construction, and operation of a building to promote occupant health, well-being, and productivity. The WELL AP’s expertise ensures the integration of the standard’s principles, helping achieve the intended health-related goals within the project.