WELL Building Standard (WELL) is a healthy building certification program, developed by the International WELL Building Institute PCB (IWBI), a California registered public benefit corporation.
The WELL Building Standard began in 2013 by Paul Scialla of Delos company, becoming the first well-being focused standard. By 2016, over 200 projects in 21 countries adopted the certification.[1] In 2014, Green Business Certification Inc. began to provide third-party certification for WELL. By 2024, WELL is being used across more than 5 billion square feet of space in 130 countries, supporting an estimated 25 million occupants in nearly 74,000 commercial and residential locations.[2]
Principles & concepts
WELL v2 met best practices on four tenets: evidence-based, verifiable, implementable, and feedback-focused. The principles in WELL v2 are equitable, global, evidence-based, technically robust, customer-focused, and resilient. WELL is a performance-based system which Performance Verification is completed by an authorized WELL Performance Testing Agent.
Certification
There are two types of certifications, the WELL Certification for Owner-occupied and the WELL Core Certification. The WELL Core is for the building that provide tenant occupation more than 75%, and not needed to achieve minimum points from every subjects.[3]
The WELL Silver, Gold, and Platinum level must achieve at least 1, 2, and 3 points per subject, but the WELL Bronze has no minimum points' rule. For WELL core, there are no minimum point.[3]
The optimization point requirement from the WELL Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum are ranging from 40, 50, 60, and 80 points. The rating system limits 12 points per subject, except the Innovation which limit under 10 points. Total points must not be over 100.[3]
Assessment
The WELL certificated buildings must pass all precondition requirements and they could get optimization points available from extension subjects.[3]
Because users spend 90% time in interior, they can expose to indoor air pollutions that lead to headaches, dry throat, eye irritation, runny nose, asthma attacks, infection with legionella bacteria and carbon monoxide poisoning. It leads to thousands of cancer death and 100,000 of respiratory issues annually. Avoidable costs in the U.S. could be over 100 billion dollars annually 45% from radon and tobacco and 45% from lost productivity, and 10% respiratory diseases. Combustion sources such as candles, tobacco, stoves, furnaces, fireplaces producing carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and small particles are common. Furnishings, fabrics, cleaning product emit volatile organic compound (VOCs). It could be resolved by eliminate problem sources and design solutions. Air pollution leads to 7 millions premature deaths, around 600,000 of those were children under 5 years old in 2012.
A01-A04 Precondition
A01 Air Quality topic, the WELL conducts to limit level of particulate matter both PM2.5 and PM10 under 15 and 50 for normal region or 25 and 50 microgram/cubic metre or 30% of 24–48 hours average of outdoor levels for polluted region and thresholds for volatile organic compound (VOC) such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene to 10, 50, and 300 microgram/cubic metre or total VOC of 500 microgram/cubic metre. Inorganic gases such as carbon monoxide and ozone are also limited to 10 milligram per cubic metre and 100 microgram/cubic metre. Radon is limited under 0.15 Becquerel/Litre. WELL makes sure that all air quality shall be monitored with a digital platform, except for radon parameter.[3]
A02 Smoke-free Environment topic, smoking and using of electronic cigarette indoor is not allowed, except for outdoors at only ground level further than 7.5 m from project apertures including air-intake area.[3]
A03 Ventilation Design topic, the WELL assured building to have existing or new mechanical ventilation systems following ASHRAE 62.1-2 or EN standard 16798-1 or AS 1668.2 or CIBSE Guide A: Environmental Design. Naturally ventilation can also be used without mechanical ventilation system if the design follows Natural Ventilation Procedure in ASHRAE 62.1, CIBSE AM10, AS 1668.4 at least 90% of the project area. Ventilation monitoring can be only solution if carbon dioxide level is met under 900 ppm indoor and 500 ppm outdoor.[3]
A04 Construction Pollution Management topic, the contractor is to ensure that ducts are cleaned and protected from contamination. Contractor shall filter with more than 70% efficiency for particles 3-10 micrometers on the installed ventilation system during construction. Contractor must implement dust and moisture management such as using of temporary barriers, dust guards for saws, walk-off mats on entryway.[3]
A06 Enhanced Ventilation Design topic threshold of mechanical and natural ventilation or with demand controlled ventilation (DCV) or engineered natural ventilation system to keep CO2 levels low, or at least 50% of workstations are supplied in the breathing zone with an airspeed under 50 fpm at user's head receives 2 points. Displacement ventilation system implement or air diffusers located 2.8 m above the floor receives additional 1 points.[3]
A07 Operable Windows, providing openable windows to access to outdoor air, available to access outdoor air by 75% of regularly occupied areas or 4% of the occupied areas of there are many floors receives 1 point, another 1 point, if there is outdoor air quality for PM2.5, temperature, relative humidity display near windows.
A08 Air quality monitoring and Awareness topic, installing air quality sensor and submitting data to WELL provides 1 point and display screens available in the building to promote awareness provides another 1 point.
A09 Pollution Infiltration Management topic, entrance way design such as 3 meters' air door and to slow movement of air from outdoor to indoor by building vestibule or revolving doors, air curtain and management by wet cleaning once a week, vacuuming once a day provides 1 point and envelope of building that is designed to mitigate outside air pollution provides another 1 point.
A10 Combustion Minimization topic, combustion restriction indoor or keeping away from building 3.3 meter and vehicle running limitation of 30 seconds.
A11 Source Separation topic by to remove the sources by design separately closed door, negatively pressurized or exhaust fans such as the return air to outdoor of all bathrooms, kitchens, cleaning and chemical storage, high-volume printers and copiers provides 1 point.
A12 Air Filtration topic by using media filters in ventilation system or standalone device by appropriate efficiency to filter outdoor air, the higher PM2.5, the higher efficiency from 35% to 95% and keep replacing annually provides 1 point.
A13 Enhanced Supply Air topic by ventilating occupied spaces with all outdoor air or cleaning devices such as activated carbon filter with efficiency of 75% or media filter or Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) under UL 2998 Zero Ozone Emissions Validation or Intertek Zero Ozone Verification provides 1 point.
WELL Water aims to increase the rate of adequate hydration in building and reduce risks due to contaminated water. Human's body is two-thirds water, recommended water intake around 2 - 3.7 litres per day to let respiration, perspiration and excretion works. Water with high nitrate can impair oxygen transport in infants, causing neurodevelopment impair. Trihalomethane (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) in water can cause cancer. Legionella control is needed in cooling systems and hot tubs. Materials must not support mold growth. Well bathroom design, better hand washing leads to reduce risks enteric and respiratory diseases.
For W03, Basic Water Management, annually monitoring is required such as turbidity, pH, residual free chlorine. Legionella management must be determined in the building.
W05, Drinking Water Quality Management provides total 3 points. For 2 points, the project needs pre-testing water quality on the farthest water dispenser for every 10 floors such as turbidity, coliform bacteria, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), chlorine, residual (free) chlorine, arsenic, lead, copper, nitrate, benzene at least one month before Performance Verification and monitoring piped water that delivers drinking water, testing water from dispensers quarterly. Turbidity must be equal or less than 1.0 NTU. pH must be between 6.5 and 9.0. TDS must be equal or less than 500mg/L. Total Chlorine must be equal or less than 5mg. L. Residual (free) chlorine must be equal or less than 5mg/L. Total Coliforms must not be detected in a 100 ml sample. Lead must be equal or less than 1 micro gram/L. Sampling frequency can be reduced to once a year, if the results are under limit two consecutive times. Copper must be equal or less than 2mg/L. Sampling frequency can be reduced to two a year. If the results are under limit four consecutive times, then there is no need to monitor anymore. The test result must be submitted to WELL annually. Last part is display of water management information to promote drinking water transparency provides another 1 point.
For W06, Drinking Water Promotion, encouraging people to drink water easily by provide water dispenser minimum one per floor within 30 meter of all users and in all dining areas, designing for water bottle-refilling with maintenance provides 1 point.
W07, Moisture Management provides total 3 points, to limit the bacteria and mold growth, the project needs building envelope that incorporates site drainage and storm water management, air tightness testing, vapor pressure differentials, entryway strategies to minimize water permeation, drainage plane from interior to exterior cladding, limiting wicking in porous materials by using non-porous materials such as closed-cell foams, waterproofing membranes, metal between porous meterials or free-draining spaces, provides 1 point. Using protection or implementing measures to eliminate condensation on cold surfaces such as basement, slab-on-grade floor and liquid water as interior housewrap such as basement, bathroom, kitchen provides another 1 point. Label or manual at point-of-connection to shut-off pipe and all water treatment devices need backflow prevention system such as air gap or backflow preventer valve. The last 1 point is to manage moisture by scheduling inspection, notification system in the building and to submit all inspection result to WELL annually.
W08 Hygiene Support, the highest points in the Water subject, total 4 points. Part 1, 1 point, bathroom needs trash receptacle in toilet stall if toilet paper cannot be flushed, free of 50% subsidized sanitary pads, storage support in toilet stalls, at least one bathroom has wheelchair bathroom, one bathroom per project for infant changing table, syringe drop box, single-user bathroom needs occupancy signage, self-primed liquid-seal trap in floor drain. For public projects such as airport, family bathroom are required, containing changing table for infant, child size toilet and sinks, motion sensor for lights, slip-resistant floor, grab bars, hook or shelf for bags in toilet stall, wheelchair accessibility by local code. Part 2, 1 point, bathroom needs hands-free flushing toilet, contactless soap dispenser and hand-drying, hands-free exiting door, sensor-activated, programmable line-purge faucet. Part 3, 1 point, faucet design avoiding flowing directly into the drain, splash limited inside the sink, minimum width of 23cm sink size, flowing column of water minimum 20cm and at least 7.5cm away from sink edge. Part 4, 1 point, handwashing supply must has fragrance-free liquid soap through sealed dispensers, paper towels or hand dryers with HEPA filter or fabric towel rolls and signage with proper hand washing steps.[3]
Nourishment
WELL Nourishment concept supports healthy and sustainable eating patterns by accessing to fruits and vegetables more and limiting highly processed foods, nudging users to choose better choices. Poor nutrition responses to one in five people death globally. Unhealthy eating is worse than combining of drug, alcohol, and tobacco. Diets usually is low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, but instead flood with highly processed foods such as refined sugars and oils. In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission developed best food option. By developing environment conditions that influence users to change diets with holistic approach, supportive policies.
N01 - N02 Precondition
N01 Fruits and Vegetables, WELL ensures to operate food outlet for at least two varieties of fruits and non-fried vegetables that would be clearly be seen by users. Each food outlets are at least 50% of food options are fruits or non-fried vegetables.
N02, Nutritional Transparency, other type of foods such as packaged food and beverage must display the total calories per serving, macronutrient, and sugar content. Owner must communicates users on food allergy. High sugar foods or over than 25 grams of sugar per serving is banned from the menu in dining spaces or at least identified in the items for users to make a decision.[3]
N03 - N13 Optimization
N03 Refined Ingredients, restriction of sugars by limit beverage under 25 g of sugar per container, at least 25% of beverages contain no sugar, and non-beverage food except fruit contain sugar under 25 gram per serving receives 1 point. Whole grains promotion by 50% of grain-based food contains whole grain the most receives another 1 point.
N04 Food Advertising, eliminating sugar drink, deep-fried food advertising, and sale area promotes water, fruits and vegetables consumption instead, receives 1 point.
N06 Portion Sizes, dining space promoting healthy size of food receives 1 point by limiting portion below 650 kCal or over 650 kcal menu under 50%, and dish or bowl size must not be over certain area or volume. Primary school students, secondary school students, and adults plate size are no more than 20, 25, and 30cm diameter.
N08 Mindful Eating provides 2 points by dedicating eating space within 200 meters walking distance of the boundary of the project that contains tables and chairs to 25% of users at peak, protects from outdoor climate hazard, provides variety of seating options from small to large group of people, and if there is employees or students then they would provides daily 30 minutes break for meal.
N09 Special Diets, alternative food providing to food allergen person, total 2 points. For part 1, 1 point, providing food at least does not include peanut and tree nuts or gluten and wheat or soy or sesame or animal products including seafood, dairy, and eggs. For part 2, 1 point, clearly labeling on packaging, menus, signage that the food contains peanut, fish, shellfish, soy, milk, egg, wheat, tree nuts, sesame, gluten.
N10 Food Preparation, providing space for user's meal such as cold storage, countertop, sink for dish and hand washing, microwave or toaster, reusable plates, garbage bin receives 1 point.
N11 Responsible Food Sourcing, sourcing 50% foods that are certified organic and 25% animal product lines that are certified organic by Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI) or Seafood Certification Scheme by labeling for sustainable receives 1 point.
N12 Food Production receives 2 points by providing garden or greenhouse with food-bearing plants or edible landscape or hydroponic or aeroponic farming which is accessible to users in regular hours and growing area both horizontal and vertical at least 0.09 sq. m per user or 0.05 sq. m per student, except hydroponic and aeroponic farming can be half of normal system, and users can access to food growing tools, in which the area is within 400 meter walking distance.
N13 Local Food Environment, supporting local food by locating the project near fruit and vegetable supermarket or farmers' market that open at least once a week within 400 meters walk distance, or serving local agriculture program or hosting weekly sale of fruits and vegetables receives 1 point.
Light
WELL Light concept aims to create lighting that reduces circadian disruption to improve sleep quality and mood and productivity. Humans are diurnal driving by circadian systems or internal clock. Disruption of it leads to obesity, diabetes, depression, breast cancer, metabolic and sleep disorders. Insufficient light can lead to disruption.
L01 - L02 Precondition
L01 Light Exposure, daylighting design hugely integrates in the project by daylight simulation technique such as the Spatial Daylight Analysis that shows how much daylight illuminates throughout working hours. Adequate daylighting level can be decided on the interior layout or the building design such as a distance from windows. For the project that finds it difficult for daylight access, circadian lighting design can replace daylight such as an Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) receiving enough light at least 150 Melanopic Lux (EML)[3]
L02 Visual Lighting Design, WELL still keeps visual lighting design which is conventional lighting method for user's visual comfort and acuity. Lighting design standard in WELL follows Illuminating Engineering Society Lighting Library or EN standard 12464-1&2 or ISO 8995-1 or Chinese Standard GB 50034 or CIBSE SLL Code for Lighting. Alternately WELL allows light level threshold from U.S. General Services Administration's facilities standards.[3]
L03 - L09 Optimization
L03 Circadian Lighting Design, if the project chose precondition part of circadian lighting, the project receives 1 point automatically. For the project that achieves at least 275 Melanopic Lux (EML) it will add more 2 points.
L04 Electric Light Glare Control, limiting glare from indoor artificial light, receiving 2 points, by using 100% upward lighting or fixture classified Unified Glare Rating (UGR) equal or under 16 or all fixtures does not exceed 6,000 candela/sq.m at angle between 45 and 90 degrees from bottom, it can be done in lighting calculation software that results in UGR equal or under 16.
L05 Daylight Design Strategies, providing daylight exposure indoors through design strategies. Daylight plan for the project receives 1 point for workstations near the window within 7.5 meters, but if positioned within 5.5 meters, it receives 2 points instead. Integrating of solar shading system with manual control receives 1 point, or with automated control system throughout year receives 2 points instead.
L06 Daylight Simulation, daylight calculation that results equal or higher than 55% of project occupancy area that receives 300 lux more than 50% of annual time of use will receive 1 point, but if it results equal or higher than 75%, then it will receive 2 points.
L07 Visual Balance receives 1 point by either design by at least three of five parameters of luminance ratio of horizontal and vertical plane at maximum 10 times, 0.4 ratio of minimum illuminance and average illuminance on horizontal task plane, using automation system by changing light characters at least light levels over a period at least 10 minutes, using consistent Correlated color temperature (CCT) plus and minus 200 Kelvin, or the project is designed by lighting professional that takes those ratios in account.
L08 Electric Light Quality, for quality of light fixtures, total 3 points, all light fixture, except decorative lights and emergency lights, that color rendering is equal or over color rendering index (CRI) of 90 or CRI of 80 with R9 equal or over than 50 or TM-30 of color rendering fidelity (Rf) equal or more than 78 and color rendering gamut (Rg) equal or more than 100 with Rcs,h1 from -1% to 15%, will receive 1 point, and that flicker of luminaires classified as "reduced flicker operation" or defined 1, 2, 3 recommended practices by IEEE standard 1789-2015 LED or short term light flicker (Pst LM) and Stroboscopic Visibility Measure (SVM) equal or under 1.0 and 0.6 per NEMA 77-2017, will receive 2 points.
L09 Occupant Lighting Control, providing individual control of light for one per 60 sq. m or one per 10 occupants receives 1 point, but if there are one per 30 sq. m or one per 5 occupants, then it receives 2 point, with the project has lighting control in each zone was setup at least three lighting levels, able to change group of lights with different light beams or color or CCT, all users be able to control light manually by keypad or digital interface, and separately control of lighting for presentation. Task light provided with no cost to employees and light levels and direction can be controlled by users independently under shielded light source receives 1 point.
Movement
To promote physical activity by creating opportunities through spaces is a substantial impact to decrease risk of death by 10% and 25%, which more than half a million and one million people globally would not have died because of inactivity. Global lifespan could increase by 0.68 years. Physical inactivity leads to pre-mature death and chronic illness, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, stroke, dementia and cancer. 23% of adult globally are inactive caused by rising urbanization and economic development. Sitting or sedentary globally average 3–9 hours daily among adults that linked to mentioned illnesses.
V01 - V02 Precondition
V01 Active Buildings and Communities, the summary of optimization points which WELL requires the project to achieve as least one point from four optimization features specifically V03 Circulation Network for visible, open to access and aesthetic stair circulation, V04 Facilities for Active Occupants such as cycling network with bike parking or showers, lockers and changing rooms, V05 Site Planning and Selection such as pedestrian-friendly environment or mass transit within walking distance, V08 Physical Activity Spaces and Equipment such as free sport opportunities and facilities or green space for outdoor activities.[3]
V02, Ergonomic Workstation Design, intended for users to adjust furniture freely such as monitor position, work surface height, chair, standing desk and foot support including user's orientation or instruction.[3]
V03 - V10 Optimization
V03 Circulation Network provides total 3 points, designing aesthetic staircase by music, artwork, designed to have light levels of at least 215 lux in use, windows or skylights that provide daylight or nature views, natural design elements, gamification receives 1 point. Integrating point-of-decision signage on stair area such as motivational element receives 1 point. Promoting visible stair that close to the entrance receives 1 point.
V04 Facilities for Active Occupants, providing cycling network and parking for bikes with shortterm and longterm with basic bike maintenance tools and minimum Bike Score® of 50, 200 m walk distance of an existing cycling network receives 2 points, and with showers, lockers, and changing facilities 16 places plus one for every 1,000 occupants receives another 1 point.
V05 Site Planning and Selection, site planning for walking and connection to public transportation minimum Walk Score® of 70 or within a 400 m distance of the project boundary, by selecting sites with friendly streets and friendly footpath receives 2 points, and with walkable distance to mass transit receives another 2 points.
V06 Physical Activity Opportunities, providing physical activity for occupants at no cost, by qualified professional, not in form of punishment by at least one 30-minute event per week or one 60-minute per week for school students receives 1 point, and for not less than total 150 minutes per week or not less 60 minutes per day for school students receive 2 points.
V07 Active Furnishings, providing at least manual or electric work surface or treadmill or stationary bicycle or step machine, and with 50% ot 90% of workstations receives 1 point ot 2 points in this active furnishing.
V08 Physical Activity Spaces and Equipment, providing indoor fitness space at no cost receives 2 points either the space includes two types of exercises or equipment that allow use by at least 5% of occupants at any time or has minimum size of 25 sq. m plus 0.1 sq. m per occupant until 930 sq. m, but WELL also allows if the project gives free pass to access fitness facility within 200 meters walking distance instead.
V09 Physical Activity Promotion receives only 1 point, if the project offer at least two of five activities to employees such as prize from sport competition, subsidy for employee sport member, reducing of health care cost, flexible work hours, paid time off at least four days per year physical activity, and either utilization of incentive program for 50% or improvement at least 10%, and if students are in account, it needs program to reduce TV viewing, computer or smartphone use, gaming, and to teaching physical activity or movement or physical activity breaks.
V10 Self-Monitoring Support, receive only 1 point by providing free fitness tracker at no cost or at least 50%, measuring at least two physical activities and at least one additional activity such as sleep or mindfulness.
Thermal comfort
Holistic approach and intervention to help design building that focus on individual thermal discomfort, which is subjective under the same conditions. One-size-fits all does not suit for large people. Personal thermal control should be used to improve productivity and decrease sick building syndrome. Due to large number of people, thermal comfort conditions should create baseline satisfaction for the largest number of people. It is greatly influencing users and one of the biggest impact to motivation, alertness, focus and mood. It should provide acceptable thermal environment to minimum 80% of users, in fact only 11% met accepted human satisfaction in the U.S., and 41% were dissatisfaction which detrimental to business. Employees perform 15% poorer in hot conditions and 14% poorer in cold conditions.
T01 Thermal Performance Precondition
The first part, WELL ensures thermal indoor environment to be controlled. For HVAC control system (mechanically conditioned space), acceptable thermal comfort by PMV/PPD model must be in between -0.5 and 0.5 over 90% of regularly occupied spaces. For naturally conditioned system, the minimum prevailing mean outdoor temperature (tpma (out)), calculated from average outdoor temperature entire day, must be 10 degrees Celsius and indoor temperature of 31% of the tpma (out) plus 14.3 degrees Celsius. The maximum tpma (out) must be under 33.5 degrees Celsius and indoor temperature of 31% of the tpma (out) plus 21.3 degrees Celsius. For example, the tpma (out) 33.5 degrees Celsius, the indoor temperature shall not be over 31.7 degrees Celsius. If tpma (out) is over than 33.5 degrees Celsius then a mechanically conditioned space would be in place. WELL allows the project to use optimization points from T06 Thermal Comfort Monitoring with dry-bulb temperature data or it can be only thermal comfort surveys by achieving 2 points from T02 Verified Thermal Comfort, 80% satisfaction survey of thermal comfort.
T02 Verified Thermal Comfort, if surveying from user results in 80% satisfaction receives 2 points, and 90% satisfaction receives 3 points, with responses significant 35% of 45 users or 15 from 20 users or 80% of 20 users with sample template.
T03 Thermal Zoning, providing thermostat control point one per 60 sq. m and per 30 sq. m or one per 10 users and 5 users would receives 1 and 2 points, by presenting with digital interface on computer or phone, with temperature sensors apart from exterior wall, windows, doors, direct sunlight, air supply diffusers, mechanical fans, heaters, other significant sources of heat or cold.
T04 Individual Thermal Control, giving personal thermal control for both heating and cooling receives each 1 point, for cooling, implementing user-adjustable thermostat, desk fan or ceiling fan, chair with mechanical cooling system, other solution that affecting PMV change of -0.5 within 15 minutes without changing the PMV for other occupants, for heating, implementing user-adjustable thermostat, electric parabolic space heater, electric heated chair or foot warmers, personal or shared blankets, other solution that affecting PMV change of -0.5 within 15 minutes without changing the PMV for other occupants, thus allowing flexible dress code receives another 1 point.
T05 Radiant Thermal Comfort, radiant thermal comfort management for both heating and cooling receives each 1 point by implement radiant ceilings, walls, floors, radiant panels at least 50% of regularly occupied project area.
T06 Thermal Comfort Monitoring such as dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity receives 1 point with display screen and website or mobile application every 500 sq. m of regularly occupied space, and submitting data annually to WELL with proof of calibration.
T07 Humidity Control, control of humidity receives 1 point by having mechanical system that can maintain relative humidity 30% to 60% at all times or submitting document that modeled relative humidity levels in space from 30% to 60% for at least 98% of all business hours or by meeting thermal comfort monitoring (T06) with relative humidity levels from 30% to 60% except high-humidity spaces.
Sound
Providing holistic approach to address acoustical comfort of a space, measuring satisfaction of users by human response to mechanical vibrations through a medium, such as air. Sleep disturbance, hypertension, reduction of mental arithmetic skills in children are caused by exterior noise and HVAC, appliances noises. Myocardial infarction risk can be cause by traffic noise at night. Bad reverberation times and background sound levels can affect speech intelligibility in educational areas where aural comprehension is vital for memory retention. The planning and commissioning of an isolated and balanced HVAC system is firm baseline for anticipated background noise level. Adding facade elements such as mass and glazing, sealing gaps and providing airspace between enclosed spaces can increase occupant comfort. Replacing hard surfaces with absorptive materials improve speech projection and acoustical privacy. Consistent background sound levels is provided by sound masking system, increase the signal-to-noise ratio to increase privacy.
S01 Sound Mapping Precondition
For labeling acoustic zone, interior design must have a design of acoustics zoning label such as loud zone, quiet zone, mixed zone, and circulation zone to mitigate a sound transmission from loud zones to quiet zones.
For providing acoustic design plan, the design concept shall incorporate acoustical comfort, background noise, speech privacy, and reverberation time and/or impact noise within the project boundary, or it can be an acoustical engineering professional in acoustic to evaluate existing sounds and to recommend solutions and measurements.[3]
S02 - S06 Optimization
S02 Maximum Noise Levels, limiting background noise levels over period of five minutes and average sound pressure levels do not exceed tier 1, receiving 1 point, that average Sound pressure level (SPL) for category 1 to 4, 40 dBA to 55 dBA and 60 dBC to 75 dBC, and maximum SPL from 50 to 65 dBA or 70 to 85 dBC. For tier 2, receiving 3 points instead, that average SPL for category 1 to 4, 35 to 50 dBA and 55 dBC to 70 dBC, and maximum SPL from 45 to 60 dBA or 65 to 80 dBC.
S03 Sound Barriers, sound barriers that designed for sound isolation at walls and doors meets Sound transmission class (STC) or Weighted Sound Reduction (Rw) values from minimum 40 STC to 60 STC, and doors with minimum 30 STC would receives 1 point. Achieving minimum Noise Isolation Class (NIC) or Weight Difference Level (Dw) for each wall type from minimum 35 NIC to 55 NIC, or the sum of NIC or Dw combined with Noise Criteria Rating (NC) or Weighted Sound Pressure Level (LAeq) with minimum 70 to 85 NIC + NC or Dw + LAeq would receive 2 points.
S04 Reverberation Time, maintain persistence of voices in the room receives 2 points, for example, area for music rehearsal for maximum 1.1 seconds, area for learning for maximum 0.6 seconds that could be verified by technical document or performance test.
S05 Sound Reducing Surfaces, furnishing quality surfaces of room that meets criteria of tier 1 or 2, receiving 1 or 2 points, for example, open workspaces, minimum noise reduction coefficient (NRC) OR Alpha-w of 0.75 or 0.90 and minimum furniture height and NRC OR Alpha-w with minimum height of 1.2 m above finished floor and minimum 0.70, cumulatively at least 10% of occupied project area.
S06 Minimum Background Sound, artificial background sound by making sound masking system receives 1 point to increase privacy that produce 1/3 octave band output signal and minimum frequency spectrum of 100 Hz to 5Hz. Providing enhanced speech reduction automatically receives 1 point by achieving 2 points from S03 or S05, and S06 part 1.
Materials
Promoting the use of low-hazard cleaning products and practices that reduce health impact, mitigation of contamination and public health, management of waste, low-hazard pesticides. For some toxic, prone to bioaccumulation materials carrying old chemicals such as lead that accounted of a one million deaths in 2017. CCA in wood structures can leach arsenic in soil where children can be exposed. New materials such as perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFCs), orthophthalates, some heavy metals and halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) are superior but cause negative health impact. Volatile organic compound (VOCs) are so common in insulation, paints, coatings, adhesives, furniture and furnishings, composite wood products and flooring that cause respiratory issue and cancer risks. Two solutions are to increase knowledge of materials and to promote assessment and selection to minimize impacts.
For X03 CCA and Lead Management, outdoor materials such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is banned. Lead hazard over the limit in bare soil, turf, artificial turf, recycled tire, and paint shall be examined and be removed or replaced.[3]
X04 - X11 Optimization
X04 Site Remediation, assess and mitigate site hazards by remediation process of a risk-based approach to sustainable remediation receives 1 point.
X05 Enhanced Material Restrictions, material of at least 50% of furniture, millwork, fixture is limited 100 Parts-per notation (ppm) of halogenatedflame retardants (HFR), polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), lead, cadmium, mercury, or do not contain textiles and plastic at all, and all electrical products have RoHS restrictions would be awarded 1 point. For flooring products are limited 100 ppm of HFR, PFAS, orthophthalates, and insulation products are limited 100 ppm of HFR, and ceiling and wall panels are limited 100 ppm of HFR and orthophthalates, and pipe and fittings are limited 100 ppm of orthophthalates would receive 1 point.
X06 VOC Restrictions, Volatile organic compound restriction from wet-applied products and furniture, architectural and interior products receives 4 points.
X07 Materials Transparency, selecting products with disclosed ingredients, enhanced ingredient disclosure, and third-party verified ingredients receives 1 point for each, total 3 points.
X08 Materials Optimization, at least 25 distinct products having ingredients inventoried to 100 ppm and free of compound listed in the Living Building Challenge's Red List or the Cradle-to-cradle design list or REACH Restriction and Substance of very high concern (SVHC) lists, or products purchased for future repair would receive 1 point. For optimized products, at least 15 distinct products are certified under the Cradle to Cradle Certified, the Living Product Challenge, and the Global GreenTag.
X09 Waste Management, implementing a waste management plan by identification of roles, sources, protocols to clean and track wastes receives 1 point.
X11 Cleaning Products and Protocols, developing cleaning plan receives 2 points.
Mind
Mental health issue is estimated 14.3% of deaths worldwide, 8 million death per year, including substance use affect 13% of the global burden of disease and 32% of years lived with disability. Alcohol and drug use is significantly premature death, alcohol alone affect 3.3 million deaths and 5% global burden of disease. Depression and anxiety ranking first and sixth place global burden of disease, with depression accounting for 4% global burden of disease and caused the largest disability worldwide.
Global economy lost from depression and anxiety 1 trillion dollars due to lost productivity, 18% of adults experience the condition, over 30% of adults will experience it during their lifetime, despite that, spending to fight the issue were less than 2 dollars per person. High income and low income country, people experience the issue 35-50% and 76-85% without treatment which causes suicide more than 800,000 deaths per years worldwide. Even that, people with the issue have mortality rate 2.2 times higher than normal and a median loss of 10 years life.
The issue could be mitigated by policies, programs, design in workplace promotion, prevention, interventions. Reducing stigma, promoting positive work environments, stress management programs, and strategies, substance services and treatment, optimal sleep, increasing nature contact can improve overall mental health.
M01 - M02 Precondition
For M01 Mental Health Promotion, WELL ensures that users receive at least two from five options such as education on mental health quarterly, trainings annually, mindfulness program weekly, healthy working hours, a space for relaxation. The project also sends users some form of communication such as annual communication and onboarding to address mental health and well-being benefits with resources.
For M02 Nature and Place, common spaces, rooms, and circulation routes must integrate natural elements related subjects such as natural shape material, plants, water, nature views. The project must designed to provide a celebration of culture and social cognition, celebration of place, integration of art, and human delight that connect to place, by Living Building Challenge 4.0, Core Imperative 19 - Beauty + Biophilia hypothesis topic.[3]
M03 - M11 Optimization
M03 Mental Health Services, offering mental health screening for depression and substance use, providing licensed mental health professional, guidance process for next step for 1 point. Mental health services such as clinical screening, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, prescription medication at no cost or subsidy, information on benefits coverage, consultation receives 1 point. Supporting sick leave, shortterm and longterm leave, interpersonal support, adjustment work schedule, adjustment of workplace to quieter area receives 1 point. Mental health recovery by trauma-focus psychotherapy, psychological first aid (PFA), bereavement counseling, information on benefits coverage to additional services receives 1 point.
M04 Mental Health Education, mental health education for regular occupants by managing personal mental health at work, providing in-person or virtually education receives 1 point, and health education for managers by reducing workplace stress, burnout, motivation receives additional 1 point.
M05 Stress Management, develop stress management plan by assessing overwork by more than 48 hours per week, absenteeism, not using paid time off, performance, turnover rates, survey results, improvement of employee stress to change of organization, employee participation receives 2 points.
M06 Restorative Opportunities, supporting healthy working hours by provide minimum 11 consecutive resting hours per day, 24 consecutive hours off per week, 48 hours for those who in shift work, and for eligible employees, minimum 20 days paid time off per year, no work during time off, sick to vacation clearly defined, accrual policy is defined, and for school, do not start earlier than 8:30 am receives 1 point, and additional 1 point for nap allowing and good acoustically separated nap area for 1% of eligible employee at least 30 minutes.
M07 Restorative Spaces, providing break space for users to restorative and encourage relief from fatigue with minimum 7 sqm plus 0.1 sqm per regular users or 186 sqm, with calming adjustable lighting, sound intervention of natural features, thermal control, movable lightweight chars, cushions, natural elements, subdued colors, visual privacy including signage explaining its purpose receives 1 point.
M08 Restorative Programming, for restorative programming such as mindfulness training course, yoga, digital mindfulness offering receives 1 point.
M09 Enhanced Access to Nature, floor plan that at least 75% of workstations have a sight to natural elements winthin 10 meters receives 1 point, and providing outdoor nature access and to one green space or blue space within 200 meter walk distance from boundary, and total green space at least 0.5 hectare receives additional 1 point.
M10 Tobacco Cessation, providing resources and motivation, rewarding, counseling, tobacco prescription for tobacco quitting and limiting of tobacco receives 3 points.
M11 Substance Use Services, education of drug use receives 1 point, and additional 1 point for clinical services.
Community
Estimated 235 million urban families live in low standard housing, leading to poor health outcomes like asthma, infectious disease and cardiovascular. Only 55% of U.S. companies see diversity as a priority, in UK, women earns 80.2% of men's. Spaces usually are not design for diverse needs. Surveying can bring more returns on investment. Fostering civic engagement and espouse can increase employee rentiontion and attraction and financial returns. Design plays critical role to let all users access.
C01 - C04 Precondition
C01 Health and well-being promotion by provides WELL feature guide and regularly communicates to the users. C02 Integrative design by incorporating all stakeholders to set the health and well-being goals for the project. C03 Emergency preparedness by implementing emergency management planning and post-occupancy evaluation are also required. C04 Occupant survey by implement survey program to users.[3]
C05 - C14 Optimization
C05 Enhanced Occupant Survey, total 4 points by using additional survey and analysis for 1 point, using comparison pre and post survey for 1 point, implementing aspirational satisfaction and unmet satisfaction plan for 1 point, focus group activity by interview and evaluate result for 1 point.
C06 Health Services and Benefits, providing employees with a health benefits policy at no cost or subsidized, offering on-demand health services, offering sick leave, supporting vaccinate program receives each 1 point, total 4 points.
C07 Enhanced Health and Well-Being Promotion, promoting culture of health by communications and promotion group receives 1 point. Having at least one dedicated executive-level employee to plan and promote heathy activities receives 1 point.
C08 New Parent Support, offering new parent leave support receives 1, 2, 3 points for paid leave at least 12, 18, 30 weeks. For breastfeeding support, such as break time and giving insulated cooler or refrigerator access receives 1 point. C09 New Mother Support, providing lactation room at least 2.1 x 2.1 m with appropriated elements in the building receives 2 points.
C10 Family Support, childcare support services, offering family leave, offering bereavement support receives each 1 point, total 3 points.
C11 Civic Engagement, promoting community engagement and community space for employees receives each 1 point, total 2 points.
C12 Diversity and Inclusion by creating Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) assessment and action plan, DEI system, DEI hiring practives each receives 1 point, total 3 points.
C14 Emergency Resources, providing emergency information or procedures, building notification system, Automated external defibrillator (AEDs), first aid kit, and emergency training for medical emergencies and security team or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, AED usage trainings receives 1 point. Providing opioid pain relieve kit for emergency such as naloxone receives 1 point.
Innovation
I01 - I05 Optimization
This category has no requirement but it can provide additional points such as new intervention for maximum 10 topics, each receives 1 point. If one member of the project team has WELL AP, it automatically receives 1 point. Offering WELL educational tours at least six times per year receives 1 point. If the project commits in any well-being or health program that approved by IWBI and it was completed within three years, it receives 1 point. If the project achieve any green building certification that approved by IWBI, it receives 5 points of rating.
Performance
As WELL becomes increasingly popular, research papers provide information about the standard’s performance. A challenge when assessing the performance of WELL-certified buildings is deciding how indoor environmental quality (IEQ) parameters are compared. Some studies choose to compare the same building pre- and post-certification, while others compare entirely different buildings.[4]
In 2020, researcher Christhina Candido (et al.) analyzed 1,121 post-occupancy evaluation surveys conducted in nine offices, two of which were WELL-certified and seven of which were non-well certified. The study concluded with mixed results, with higher occupant satisfaction in the WELL-certified buildings for spatial comfort, thermal comfort, noise and privacy, personal control, and workspace comfort, but lower satisfaction for visual comfort and connection to the outside. The mixed findings may be attributed to the types of non-WELL certified buildings used in the comparison, as they may already be high-performance buildings in other regards.[5]
In 2021, researchers Dusan Licina and Serra Yildirim compared the results of three rounds of occupant satisfaction surveys with the IEQ reported by a group of employees who moved from three non-WELL (two BREEAM and one conventional) to three WELL-certified office buildings. For two out of the three building pairs, there was a statistically significant increase in building and workspace satisfaction after relocation to WELL buildings. However, for 55% of compared cases, there was insignificant difference upon relocation. Results found higher occupant satisfaction for building cleanliness and furniture, but no increase in satisfaction with noise and visual comfort.[6]
Another 2021 study by Dusan Licina and Sarka Langer investigated indoor air quality (IAQ) before and after relocation to WELL-certified office buildings. The results indicated there was no significant concentration difference for the majority of measured air pollutants between non-WELL and WELL buildings. However, higher concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were detected in WELL buildings, exceeding upper recommended standard thresholds. A decrease in these concentrations 7 to 8 months after relocation indicates it is likely the result of chemical off-gassing from newly installed indoor materials, particularly paint. Despite this, there was a statistically significant improvement in IAQ satisfaction after relocation into WELL buildings regardless of the air pollution levels.[7]
In 2022, researcher Nasim Ildiri (et al.) conducted a pre- versus post-occupancy evaluation of approximately 1,300 workers transitioning to WELL certified offices from non-WELL certified offices. WELL v1 Feature 86 requires all New and Existing Buildings and Interiors projects with 10 or more occupants to administer a post-occupancy evaluation survey annually. The survey must be completed by at least 30% of occupants. This study used these surveys to specifically study occupant perceived health and well-being. Overall satisfaction rates improved from 42% pre-occupancy to 70% post-occupancy across all parameters. The largest increases in satisfaction were for cleanliness and access to nature, while occupants were most satisfied with maintenance and lighting in WELL-certified offices.[8]
In 2023, architect Samin Marzban (et al.) analyzed 1403 post-occupancy evaluation surveys from 14 open-plan offices (10 of which were WELL-certified and four of which were uncertified) in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. The five offices that achieved the highest satisfaction in interior design, indoor air quality, privacy and connection to the outdoor environment were WELL certified. No significant differences in health were found between WELL-certified and non-WELL certified buildings.[9]
A 2024 study by Michael Kent (et al.) compared IEQ in WELL-certified and LEED-certified buildings. Overall building and workplace satisfaction was found to be high in WELL-certified buildings (94% and 87%). Statistical analysis revealed that there is a 39% higher probability of finding an occupant that is satisfied with the building overall in a WELL-certified building than a LEED-certified building. Although satisfaction was found to be higher in WELL-certified buildings, satisfaction in LEED-certified buildings with the building, workspace, and most IEQ parameters was still relatively high.[4]
Related Research Articles
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC system design is a subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. "Refrigeration" is sometimes added to the field's abbreviation as HVAC&R or HVACR, or "ventilation" is dropped, as in HACR.
Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, skylights, other openings, and reflective surfaces so that direct or indirect sunlight can provide effective internal lighting. Particular attention is given to daylighting while designing a building when the aim is to maximize visual comfort or to reduce energy use. Energy savings can be achieved from the reduced use of artificial (electric) lighting or from passive solar heating. Artificial lighting energy use can be reduced by simply installing fewer electric lights where daylight is present or by automatically dimming or switching off electric lights in response to the presence of daylight – a process known as daylight harvesting.
Ventilation is the intentional introduction of outdoor air into a space. Ventilation is mainly used to control indoor air quality by diluting and displacing indoor pollutants; it can also be used to control indoor temperature, humidity, and air motion to benefit thermal comfort, satisfaction with other aspects of the indoor environment, or other objectives.
A life-support system is the combination of equipment that allows survival in an environment or situation that would not support that life in its absence. It is generally applied to systems supporting human life in situations where the outside environment is hostile, such as outer space or underwater, or medical situations where the health of the person is compromised to the extent that the risk of death would be high without the function of the equipment.
Building science is the science and technology-driven collection of knowledge in order to provide better indoor environmental quality (IEQ), energy-efficient built environments, and occupant comfort and satisfaction. Building physics, architectural science, and applied physics are terms used for the knowledge domain that overlaps with building science. In building science, the methods used in natural and hard sciences are widely applied, which may include controlled and quasi-experiments, randomized control, physical measurements, remote sensing, and simulations. On the other hand, methods from social and soft sciences, such as case study, interviews & focus group, observational method, surveys, and experience sampling, are also widely used in building science to understand occupant satisfaction, comfort, and experiences by acquiring qualitative data. One of the recent trends in building science is a combination of the two different methods. For instance, it is widely known that occupants' thermal sensation and comfort may vary depending on their sex, age, emotion, experiences, etc. even in the same indoor environment. Despite the advancement in data extraction and collection technology in building science, objective measurements alone can hardly represent occupants' state of mind such as comfort and preference. Therefore, researchers are trying to measure both physical contexts and understand human responses to figure out complex interrelationships.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification program used worldwide. Developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods, which aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.
The Center for the Built Environment (CBE) is a research center at the University of California, Berkeley. CBE's mission is to improve the environmental quality and energy efficiency of buildings by providing timely, unbiased information on building technologies and design techniques. CBE's work is supported by a consortium of building industry leaders, including manufacturers, building owners, contractors, architects, engineers, utilities, and government agencies. The CBE also maintains an online newsletter of the center's latest activities called Centerline.
Thermal comfort is the condition of mind that expresses subjective satisfaction with the thermal environment. The human body can be viewed as a heat engine where food is the input energy. The human body will release excess heat into the environment, so the body can continue to operate. The heat transfer is proportional to temperature difference. In cold environments, the body loses more heat to the environment and in hot environments the body does not release enough heat. Both the hot and cold scenarios lead to discomfort. Maintaining this standard of thermal comfort for occupants of buildings or other enclosures is one of the important goals of HVAC design engineers.
Council House 2 (also known as CH2), is an office building located at 240 Little Collins Street in the Melbourne central business district, Australia. It is used by the City of Melbourne council, and in April 2005, became the first purpose-built office building in Australia to achieve a maximum Six Green Star rating, certified by the Green Building Council of Australia. CH2 officially opened in August 2006.
Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) has its origins in Scotland and the United States and has been used in one form or another since the 1960s. Preiser and colleagues define POE as "the process of evaluating buildings in a systematic and rigorous manner after they have been built and occupied for some time".
Green building on college campuses is the purposeful construction of buildings on college campuses that decreases resource usage in both the building process and also the future use of the building. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions, energy use, and water use, while creating an atmosphere where students can be healthy and learn.
Underfloor air distribution (UFAD) is an air distribution strategy for providing ventilation and space conditioning in buildings as part of the design of a HVAC system. UFAD systems use an underfloor supply plenum located between the structural concrete slab and a raised floor system to supply conditioned air to supply outlets, located at or near floor level within the occupied space. Air returns from the room at ceiling level or the maximum allowable height above the occupied zone.
Sustainable refurbishment describes working on existing buildings to improve their environmental performance using sustainable methods and materials. A refurbishment or retrofit is defined as: "any work to a building over and above maintenance to change its capacity, function or performance' in other words, any intervention to adjust, reuse, or upgrade a building to suit new conditions or requirements". Refurbishment can be done to a part of a building, an entire building, or a campus. Sustainable refurbishment takes this a step further to modify the existing building to perform better in terms of its environmental impact and its occupants' environment.
ENERPOS is the first educational net-zero energy building in the tropics and one of the 13 Net ZEBs in the tropics thanks to its bioclimatic design. Its name comes from the French "énergie positive". ENERPOS is located on Réunion Island, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. Building an energy-efficient building in such a climate is particularly challenging, but the energy expectations with regard to ENERPOS have been reached, even largely exceeded. ENERPOS is not only an energy-efficient building but also displays various passive methods to reduce energy consumption while providing a comfortable environment for its users. Classes are hosted for both undergraduate diploma and degree courses as well as for the Department of Construction and Energy at the Graduate Engineering School of Réunion Island.
Passive survivability refers to a building's ability to maintain critical life-support conditions in the event of extended loss of power, heating fuel, or water. This idea proposes that designers should incorporate ways for a building to continue sheltering inhabitants for an extended period of time during and after a disaster situation, whether it be a storm that causes a power outage, a drought which limits water supply, or any other possible event.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy is an American National Standard published by ASHRAE that establishes the ranges of indoor environmental conditions to achieve acceptable thermal comfort for occupants of buildings. It was first published in 1966, and since 2004 has been updated every three to six years. The most recent version of the standard was published in 2023.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Headquarters is the corporate headquarters of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, located in Los Altos, California. The Packard Foundation was created in 1964 by David Packard and his wife Lucile Salter Packard, one of the top 100 grant-making foundations in the United States, with the goals of improving the lives of children, enabling the creative pursuit of science, advancing reproductive health, and conserving and restoring the Earth’s natural systems. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Headquarters is designed by EHDD to be the largest net zero energy building in California, and it has successfully reduced the energy use by 65% over conventional buildings.
Healthy building refers to an emerging area of interest that supports the physical, psychological, and social health and well-being of people in buildings and the built environment. Buildings can be key promoters of health and well-being since most people spend a majority of their time indoors. According to the National Human Activity Pattern Survey, Americans spend "an average of 87% of their time in enclosed buildings and about 6% of their time in enclosed vehicles."
Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions. Used at both the building and city-scale, it is argued that Biophilic design offers health, environmental, and economic benefits for building occupants and urban environments, with few drawbacks. Although its name was coined in recent history, indicators of biophilic design have been seen in architecture from as far back as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. While the design features that characterize Biophilic design were all traceable in preceding sustainable design guidelines, the new term sparked wider interest and lent academic credibility.
Occupant-centric building controls or Occupant-centric controls (OCC) is a control strategy for the indoor environment, that specifically focuses on meeting the current needs of building occupants while decreasing building energy consumption. OCC can be used to control lighting and appliances, but is most commonly used to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). OCC use real-time data collected on indoor environmental conditions, occupant presence and occupant preferences as inputs to energy system control strategies. By responding to real-time inputs, OCC is able to flexibly provide the proper level of energy services, such as heating and cooling, when and where it is needed by occupants. Ensuring that building energy services are provided in the right quantity is intended to improve occupant comfort while providing these services only at the right time and in the right location is intended to reduce overall energy use.
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