WELL Certification is one of the leading accreditations in the world of sustainability and wellness, but what does it really mean to earn it?
In this detailed guide, we will explore everything you need to know about WELL certification.
What is WELL Certification?
WELL Certification is an internationally recognized seal that represents a new frontier in the design and management of spaces, both residential and commercial, and puts human well-being at the center of everything.
This certification system is based on the belief that built spaces should advance human health and well-being.
Developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), WELL Certification sets standards for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being.
Since its launch in 2014, it has gained considerable recognition in the construction and building management industry due to its unique and comprehensive focus on the health and well-being of the people who live, work and learn in buildings.
The WELL certification system encompasses 11 areas of study known as “WELL Concepts”, which correspond to the main areas of impact on human health in the built environment.
These concepts are air, water, food, light, movement, thermal comfort, acoustics, materials, mind, community and innovation.
Each of these concepts contains a set of characteristics that specify the design conditions and policies of the building to optimize the health and well-being of its occupants.
For example, in the air concept, the air quality in the building, strategies to eliminate air pollution and ventilation are evaluated.
In the light concept, factors such as natural and artificial lighting and how they affect the building occupants are taken into account.
WELL Certification provides a path to a healthier and more sustainable future, where buildings not only protect, but also improve the health of those who occupy them.
As more firms, architects, and builders realize the importance of these factors, WELL Certification is becoming an increasingly influential and sought-after standard in the design and construction world.
Why is WELL Certification important?
WELL Certification plays a fundamental role in how we understand and apply design and construction strategies to improve the health, well-being and productivity of our societies.
Let’s see why it is so important.
1. Promotes human well-being
First, WELL Certification advocates a human-centered approach to space design and management.
It is based on the belief that the built environment can be a powerful tool for improving human health and well-being.
WELL-certified buildings are designed and operated to support and enhance human health and well-being through the seven fundamental concepts: Air, Water, Food, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Acoustics, Materials, Mind, Community and Innovation.
For example, when it comes to light, research has shown that exposure to natural light during the day can improve mood and productivity.
Therefore, WELL-certified buildings seek to maximize natural light while minimizing disruptive artificial light.
Similarly, factors such as air and water quality, interior design, and provision to promote physical activity and healthy eating are taken into consideration.
2. Promotes sustainability
In addition to improving human health and well-being, WELL Certification also promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices.
WELL-certified buildings use sustainable materials, are more energy efficient and reduce their impact on the environment, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint.
3. Increases the value of buildings
WELL Certification can also increase the value of buildings and attract more tenants or buyers.
In today’s competitive real estate market, WELL-Certified buildings can stand out for their healthy and sustainable features.
According to some reports, WELL-Certified buildings can have higher occupancy rates and higher rental income than buildings that are not WELL-Certified.
4. Improves productivity and performance
Finally, WELL Certification can improve the productivity and performance of building occupants.
Employees working in WELL-certified buildings have reported improvements in their concentration, job satisfaction and overall health, which in turn can lead to higher productivity and job performance.
How to obtain WELL Certification
Achieving WELL Certification is a carefully designed process that involves several steps to ensure that a building or space meets the required standards.
Here’s how you can obtain WELL Certification for your building or project.
1. Project registration
The first step in the WELL Certification process is to register your project with the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
At this point, you must provide detailed information about your project, including the type of building, location, size and scope of the desired certification.
2. Understanding the requirements
After registering your project, the next step is to understand the requirements for WELL Certification.
This involves reviewing the WELL Standard, which details the different ‘WELL Concepts’ and ‘WELL Characteristics’ that your building must meet.
These cover the 11 areas of health and well-being: Air, Water, Food, Light, Motion, Thermal Comfort, Acoustics, Materials, Mind, Community and Innovation.
Each of these concepts contains several characteristics that your project must meet to achieve certification.
3. Documentation and verification
Once you have understood the requirements and implemented the necessary features in your project, the next step is documentation.
You must provide evidence to IWBI that your building meets the required features.
This may involve submitting architectural drawings, operating policies, performance tests and more.
After documentation, your project will undergo a performance review and verification phase.
A Performance testing Agent, an independent third party, will perform a series of on-site tests and evaluations to confirm that your project meets the WELL certification requirements.
4. Certification and beyond
If your project passes the review and verification, then you will be awarded WELL Certification.
But the process doesn’t end there.
WELL Certification requires that WELL features be maintained and regularly verified to ensure that the building continues to meet the standards.
5. Certification Requirements
To obtain WELL Certification, your project must meet a series of requirements covering the seven WELL Concepts: Air, Water, Food, Light, Motion, Thermal Comfort and Mind.
Let’s take a closer look at these requirements.
6. Air
The air concept examines the quality of the air inside the building.
Requirements under this concept may include ventilation systems that reduce CO2 buildup, the installation of air purifiers and filters to remove pollutants, and building policies that avoid the use of building materials and cleaning products that emit harmful volatile organic compounds.
7.Water
In the water concept, requirements may include the availability of high quality, accessible and contaminant-free drinking water.
In addition, periodic water quality testing may be required.
8. Feeding
Food requirements may include the availability of healthy food options in building facilities, nutrition policies, as well as the promotion of healthy eating education and culture among building occupants.
9. Light
This concept refers to both natural and artificial light within the building.
Requirements may include adequate lighting that reduces glare and avoids disruption of circadian rhythms.
Daylighting is also promoted by using design strategies that allow natural light into the building.
10. Movement
Movement requirements encourage physical activity.
This may involve designing a workspace that encourages movement, including on-site sports facilities, or implementing wellness programs that promote physical activity.
11. Thermal comfort
This concept requires a comfortable work environment that controls temperature, humidity and air velocity.
It may include high quality heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as the ability for occupants to control the thermal environment in their immediate workspace.
12. Acoustics
This concept requires a suitable acoustic environment for the building occupants.
Among the main measures, an acoustic project is requested with the noisy and quiet areas to avoid interferences between them, an acoustic improvement plan if required or the use of acoustic insulation materials in partitions and interior finishes.
13. Materials
This concept requires the exclusion of materials harmful to health in the construction phase of the building, such as asbestos, lead, or mercury, and in the event that the building is already constructed, an exhaustive study must be carried out to implement the necessary measures in the event that they are incorporated.
With respect to interior materials and finishes, priority is given to materials with a high recycled content, that guarantee a low carbon footprint embedded in their production or that have low VOC emissions.
14. Mind
The requirements of the mind concept seek to support the mental health and well-being of building occupants.
This may involve the inclusion of quiet spaces, the implementation of mental wellness policies in the workplace, and the provision of support for mental health issues.
15. Community
The requirements of the community concept seek to support the coming together of all those involved in the building design process under a common umbrella of having a wellness goal, as well as providing measures for building occupants to improve their physical and mental well-being both inside the building and in their life outside the building.
Remember that these are just a few examples of the requirements that may be in each of the WELL Concepts and that these may vary depending on the type of building and the version of the WELL standard you are following.
It is important to consult the WELL Standard and work with a WELL Advisor to understand exactly what the requirements are for your specific project.
The Certification Process
The WELL Certification process is a meticulous path that involves a series of steps, each designed to ensure that a building or space achieves the goal of improving the health and well-being of people.
Let’s take a closer look at the steps in the WELL Certification process.
1. Registration
The first step on the path to WELL Certification is registration.
During this step, you will provide information about your project to the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), including details about the type of building, its location, size and the scope of certification you are seeking.
2. Selection of the WELL standard version
Once your project is registered, you will need to select which version of the WELL standard you will follow.
The IWBI regularly releases new versions of its standard based on the latest research.
Your selection will determine which features you should implement in your building.
3. Design and compliance
The next step involves designing and implementing the features necessary to meet the requirements of the selected WELL standard.
You will work with your design team and possibly a WELL Advisor to ensure that your project meets the specific requirements of each of the seven WELL concepts: Air, Water, Food, Light, Motion, Thermal Comfort, Acoustics, Materials, Mind, Community and Innovation.
4. Documentation
Once you have implemented the necessary features, you will need to document your efforts and submit this documentation to the IWBI for review.
This documentation may include floor plans, operating policies, performance tests, and any other evidence that demonstrates that your building meets the WELL Certification requirements.
5. Verification
After documentation, a Performance Testing WELL Agent will perform a series of on-site performance tests to verify that your building meets the WELL Certification requirements.
This verification is essential to maintain the integrity of the WELL standard and ensure that certified buildings actually improve the health and well-being of the people who occupy them.
6. Certification
Once your building has been verified and determined to be in compliance with all requirements, you will be awarded WELL Certification.
However, WELL Certification is not a permanent status.
To maintain your certification, you will need to regularly demonstrate that your building continues to meet WELL requirements through recertification.
The WELL Certification process is a rigorous and often intensive journey, but the rewards for the health and well-being of the people who occupy WELL buildings are enormous.
In the end, you’ll be able to demonstrate that your building is a leader in creating healthy, sustainable spaces.
