On May 31, 2018, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) released the second version of its WELL Building Standard as a pilot program. The second version of the program represents a new paradigm for supporting and advancing human health through better buildings by incorporating key learnings from nearly 1,000 WELL projects. The new program also reflects the current health research and data amassed since the program’s original release in late 2014.
Better buildings to help people thrive
Halletts Point is a mixed-use residential development in Queens, N.Y. Photo by Jeremy Frechette, courtesy Spacesmith.
With people spending approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, buildings can have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing. Jessica Cooper, chief commercial officer at IWBI, New York City, says the way buildings are designed and operated impact the quality of the air we breathe and the quality of the water we drink. “Wondering whether you have the right lighting to lighting to promote your circadian health? Or whether the sounds around you are contributing to a distraction-free environment? The answer lies in our buildings,” Cooper says. “Even our health-related behaviors are impacted by the places where we spend time. Would you be more tempted to take the stairs, rather than wait for the elevator, when the stairs are attractive, inviting and in a prominent location? Where the healthy choice is designed to be the easy choice, we’re enabled to live healthier lives!”
An Updated Program
WELL v2 introduces enhancements to make the program more flexible, inclusive and optimized for all types of projects in every part of the world. Version 2 is founded on the principles of Equitable, Global, Evidence Based, Technically Robust, Customer Focused and Resilient. “We understand that health concerns vary in each corner of the world, which is why we’ve created more pathways in WELL that reflect local realities,” Cooper says.
The new version also expands the number of health-focused concepts that WELL covers from seven to 10, while reflecting up-to-date research. “Taking steps to prepare the market for continuous monitoring ensures that ongoing performance remains a top priority,” Cooper adds. “Through customized scorecards and an evolving feature library, the WELL v2 framework empowers project teams to pursue the features that are most valuable and impactful.”
The interventions are in 10 main areas, each with distinct health intents: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community, plus an additional category that awards Innovation. “This updated, more flexible framework reflects the fact that health does not come with a one-size-fits-all situation,” Cooper explains. “There are a few mandatory requirements, and then project teams are able to build their own holistic set of strategies based on what matters most for their project—whether it’s an office space, school, fitness facility, apartment complex or any other space.”
Measurable Impacts
A year into the WELL v2 pilot program, Cooper says there are more and more examples of the impacts better buildings have on a business’ bottom line. “By investing in employee health and well-being through workplace design and policy, organizations are having measurable impacts on their financial performance,” she says.
Additionally, the year-long pilot and recent launch of the WELL Portfolio program supports organizations in enhancing building performance and improving human well-being at scale. This creates a more streamlined and cost-effective approach, while also recognizing and rewarding incremental improvements as organizations move through their journey with WELL. “From health care systems to community colleges, financial institutions to commercial real estate developers, there are leaders in every sector who are taking their WELL commitments to scale,” explains Cooper. “We’re also finding that companies are attracted to the program because of a desire to improve their ESG (Environmental Social and Governance) goals and, in some cases, support their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Program Evolution
The WELL program is constantly evolving and responding to advances in scientific knowledge and technology, while continuously adapting and integrating new findings in the field. “To make sure WELL remains at the cutting-edge of the building for health movement, we will continue to address trends in emerging health issues and transformative technologies through a system where new features can be introduced as beta features,” Cooper says. “We also have an internal team of Concept Leaders who are experts in each Concept of WELL as well as a team of Concept Advisors from across the globe. These leaders help ensure that WELL aligns with the latest industry and public health research and meets user needs.”
Cooper says IWBI’s aim is that every building and every person can benefit from the research as they expand in response to advancements in research and technology. “The WELL Portfolio program helps companies leverage the evidence-based strategies in WELL across their properties to support and enhance the well-being at scale. We will continue to optimize this program, welcoming new organizations into the network as they begin their journey towards improving human health, and finding new ways to incentivize incremental improvement and reward interim milestones.”
Additionally, IWBI continues to find ways to deliver positive social benefits while minimizing its impact on the environment. IWBI has joined more than 1,000 other organizations on a commitment to support the United Nations Global Compact and have mapped the alignment between WELL and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. “As WELL evolves, so too will the ability for organizations to improve health outcomes for both people and the planet,” Cooper says.
To learn more about the WELL Building Standard, visit www.wellcertified.com. More information on WELL v2 can be found at www.wellcertified.com/certification/v2/.