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When you earn WELL v1 Certification for your building or community, you signal to the world that you’re putting people first.
Flexible for communities and all building types, with options to customize your approach to fit your goals, WELL offers a framework to help improve health and well-being for everyone that visits, works in, or experiences your building.
Air
The issue
Concentrations of some pollution indicators can be 2-5 times higher indoors compared to outdoors.
Polluted air is the number one environmental cause of premature mortality worldwide. In 2016 alone, poor air quality contributed to about 100,000 premature deaths in the United States and about 6 million premature deaths globally
The intervention
WELL v1 establishes requirements in buildings that promote clean air and reduce or minimize the sources of indoor air pollution.
The impact
The World Health Organization estimates that 12.7% of deaths could be prevented by improving air quality globally.
Decreased air pollution could reduce the burden of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, health-care costs, workforce productivity loss due to illness and increase life expectancy for local populations.
Water
The issue
Being dehydrated by just 2% has been shown to impair cognitive performance.
The Institute of Medicine recommends that women consume at least 2.7 L (11 cups) and men consume at least 3.7 L (16 cups) of water from foods and beverages each day.
The intervention
WELL v1 promotes safe and clean water through the implementation of proper filtration techniques and regular testing.
The impact
Research indicates that thirsty individuals who drink water prior to performing a mental task have faster reaction times than those who do not drink water.
Nourishment
The issue
Over half of the world’s adult population is overweight or obese.
Poor nutrition is a major contributor to preventable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
The intervention
WELL v1 requires the availability of fresh and wholesome foods, limits highly-processed ingredients and supports mindful eating.
Light
The issue
Disruption to the body’s circadian rhythm are associated with chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, and depression.
The intervention
WELL v1 provides illumination guidelines that minimize disruption to the body’s circadian system, enhance productivity and support good sleep quality.
The impact
Studies have found a relationship between proximity to windows and productivity, especially when windows offer an opportunity to connect with the outdoors.
Fitness
The issue
Physical inactivity is highly prevalent worldwide, with 23% of adults failing to meet international exercise and physical activity guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Additionally, WHO notes that individuals who are insufficiently active have a 20-30% higher risk of mortality compared to those who meet international recommendations.
The intervention
WELL v1 promotes the integration of physical activity into everyday life by providing opportunities and support for an active lifestyle and discouraging sedentary behaviors.
The impact
Worldwide, if physical inactivity was reduced by 10% or 25%, over 533,000 and 1.3 million deaths, respectively, could be avoided every year.
Comfort
The issue
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders result in over $2.5 billion in medical and other associated costs, including lost productivity.
Additionally, WHO notes that individuals who are insufficiently active have a 20-30% higher risk of mortality compared to those who meet international recommendations.
The intervention
WELL v1 considers thermal, acoustic, ergonomic, and olfactory comfort to optimize indoor working environments.
Mind
The issue
Various environmental characteristics can have direct impacts on mental health and well-being, such as housing, crowding, noise, indoor air quality and light.
Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders account for 14% of the global burden of disease, and depression alone is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
The intervention
WELL v1 optimizes cognitive and emotional health through design, technology, and treatment strategies.
The impact
Individuals who feel a great sense of psychological support from their organization have greater attachment to the organization.
Lead with WELL
Wellness is the next trillion dollar industry. WELL can help you play an integral role and reap the following benefits:
PRIORITIZE HEALTH
We spend about 90% of our time indoors, and our physical environment impacts our health more than lifestyle, medical care and genetics. For companies, investing in people and helping to improve their physical and mental health is common sense: 90% of corporate expenses are tied to salary and benefits, which means the ROI of healthier and happier employees extends to cost-savings, too.
TAKE A VERIFIED APPROACH
WELL has been vetted through a comprehensive, expert peer review process spanning scientific, practitioner and medical phases - and reflects up-to-date, verified knowledge in the health and wellness sector. The WELL differentiator is performance verification: a data-driven, on-site, third-party assessment of your project to ensure compliance with the standard.
MEET YOUR GOALS
After meeting required preconditions in WELL, select from optional optimization features to advance the healthy building strategies that are most important to you. WELL works in conjunction with global green building rating systems like LEED, BREEAM, GreenStar and Living Building Challenge to enhance building performance for human health and our environment - which we know are intrinsically linked.
FOR PROJECTS OF ALL TYPES
WELL v1 can be applied across many different project types and building sectors, from entire communities to brand new restaurants to office building renovations. Interested in WELL v2? Go here →
Applies to new and existing buildings, addressing the full scope of project design and construction, as well as aspects of building operations. Types include:
- Offices
- Retail spaces
- Multifamily Residential
- Education Facilities
- Restaurants
- Commerical Kitchens
Applies to commercial interior projects in existing buildings. In WELL v1 Certified buildings that have already pursued Core and Shell Certification, some WELL Features may already apply toward New and Existing Interiors Certification - making this achievement more streamlined.
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Applies to projects seeking to implement fundamental features into the entire base building for the benefit of future tenants. It addresses the building structure, window locations and glazing, building proportions, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, and water quality.
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The WELL Community Standard is applicable to district-scale projects. The rating system aims to impact individuals not just within the walls of their home or workplace, but throughout the public spaces that link the buildings where they spend their days.
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At IWBI, we believe that all projects should be able to apply the WELL Building Standard™. That's why we created a pathway for all building type sectors to collaborate with IWBI to adapt the WELL v1 and pilot programs through the creation of a custom scorecard. Our mantra is: all projects in.
Learn moreDon’t see your project type here? We’re happy to work with you. Start now.
2162 projects encompassing over
389 million square feet are applying well across 51 countries.
RESOURCES FOR IMPACT
Read the latest on WELL, attend events and read tips on applying WELL for your project or company.
Presentation
WELL v1
presentation providing an overview of the WELL Building Standard v1, highlighting the benefits of integrating human
WELL v1
Resource
The WELL Building Standard v1
A dynamic technical resource for the application of the WELL Building Standard - all componets are digitized
WELL v1
Course
Intro to WELL v1
An introductory course to familiarize users with the WELL Building Standard v1, covering benefits, structure, and the
WELL v1
Resource
Welcome to WELL tool kit
A comprehensive package for you that includes interior signage, staff communications resources and more
WELL v1 WELL v2The WELL v1 certification process
To learn more about the certification process for buildings, follow the process below. Interested in the certification process for communities? Download the certification guidebook.
Register
Registration signifies your intent to pursue WELL v1 Certification or precertification. You’ll submit basic project information when you register.
Register NowAssess
Next, you’ll meet your WELL coaching contact to talk process, answer technical questions and brainstorm solutions.
Register NowSubmit
Submit documentation to demonstrate that you’ve met the mandatory elements of the WELL Building Standard v1 or WELL Community Standard (preconditions), as well as optional elements (optimizations features) that align with your goals. Once documentation is submitted, you will be assigned your WELL Assessor, who will review documentation and conduct Performance Verification.
Register NowResources
Verify
Complete performance verification with your WELL assessor, who will visit your project and complete visual inspections and performance tests.
Register NowCertify (and celebrate)
Depending on the features you chose to pursue, you can earn certification at one of three levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum.
Register Now