The WELL Building Standard, An Overview

The WELL Building Standard was created by Delos, a real estate company with a focus on health and wellness, and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), which was launched by Delos. The goal behind WELL was to create a certification based on improving human health and well-being while integrating existing green building standards like LEED and Living Building Challenge.

WELL considers seven aspects of a space: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. For a building to be WELL certified, it must receive passing scores in every concept, indicating that each feature meets the standard’s requirements for human well-being. Finally, a building may receive Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification.

WELL is third-party certified by Green Business Certification Inc., the same company that administers LEED certifications. A WELL certification is valid for three years, a timeline that encourages a vigilant commitment to the standard. In addition, each WELL certified building is required to submit annual performance data for “select features that require more frequent reporting.” Other ongoing requirements may apply; for example, a WELL certified building may need to furnish proof of maintenance or continual parameter measurements.

To learn more about the WELL Building Standard, you can visit its official website. For more in-depth knowledge, the U.S. Green Building Council offers a course that explains the basics of WELL certification. Finally, WELL maintains a blog that publishes articles on all aspects of the standard and its implementations in the world. As the worlds of architecture and design continue to seek paths that enhance human wellness, there’s no doubt the WELL Building Standard will become an important part of the solution.

 

This information was sourced from the International WELL Building Institute website