WELL building standard

Define WELL, what does it evaluate and it’s main aim?

WELL is the first building standard developed specifically to focus on human health and well-being within buildings.

It evaluate is how the building design influences physical health, mental well-being, comfort, productivity, and user satisfaction.

The main aim is to improve quality of life for building occupants

What is the reason why the WELL building standard was developed in terms of time spent indoors

Modern lifestyles mean people spend larger amounts of time inside the buildings research showing 90% of time spent indoors.

As a result, building environments have major impacts on health, well-being and productive

What are the health impacts on poor indoor environments due to most of the time spent indoors?

Poor building environments can contribute to poor indoor air quality, thermal discomfort, stress, fatigue, reduced productivity and increased sickness absence.

Evidence shows that the UK average sick leave is around 9.1 days per year, costing UK companies £29 billion.

What are the reasons that the standard was developed in terms of workplace performance and well-being?

Study suggest that 90% of employees reported that workplace quality negatively impacts the attitude towards work which include lower productivity, reduce satisfaction and poor well-being

What is the difference between traditional sustainability systems and WELL building standard?

Many environmental standards focus mainly on carbon emissions, energy use and resource efficiency however they often give less attention to human health, comfort and psychological well-being which is why WELL assesses that

What are the main concepts that WELL assesses during the buildings impact on occupant health and well-being? There are 10

Air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community

What is the assessment process?

There are preconditions which are mandatory requirements that all projects must satisfy such as indoor air quality requirement, water, quality standard and thermal comfort conditions

What is the performance verification?

What are some examples of measured factors?

After construction, independent assesses perform site inspections, environmental testing and performance measurements.

VOC concentrations, carbon dioxide levels, air quality, temperature, humidity, and lighting quality

Explain the Cundall Office case study

This is Europe’s first WELL-certified building designed specifically around occupant well-being principles.

They use natural materials throughout like solid oak and Douglas fir which was selected with negligible or zero VOC content.

The benefits were an improved air quality and reduce harmful emissions.

What are some examples of design factors affecting well-being?

Air quality, connection to nature, lighting and visual comfort, collaboration spaces, movement, healthy foods, acoustic comfort, temperature controls and flexible spaces

What is the scoring system?

Buildings will be scored individually for each concept and the certification levels are silver, gold and platinum

WELL can also work alongside what certification systems?

LEED, BREEAM and Living Building Challenge

How does air quality encourage WELL

Air quality requirements are reduced pollutants, reduce VOC exposure and continuous air quality monitoring.

Pollutants include VOCs, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde,NOx, Ozone, CO2 and relative humidity

How does lighting and visual comfort encourage WELL

The objective is to maximise daylight, improve visual comfort and reduce eye strain. We used to achieve this is through natural daylight, appropriate material reflectance and glare reduction.

How does thermal comfort encourage WELL

The goat is for a comfortable indoor temperature, use the control over the environment and reduce discomfort. This can be done through ventilation control and temperature control systems.

How does space planning and well-being encourage WELL?

Design strategies like dynamic workspace design, communal areas, spaces for social interaction and fitness and well-being facilities help improve collaboration, better social well-being and increase occupant satisfaction.

The requirement is 30% of staff are provided with communal eating spaces

What is the definition of Biophilic design?

What are some examples and the benefits?

Integration of nature into buildings.

Plants, natural materials, green walls and local planting to improve well-being, reduce stress and improve productivity

What is the material selection require requirements for WELL?

WELL encourages low VOC materials, natural materials and healthy interior finishes.

For example, solid oak, Douglas fir and recycled materials.

The objective is to reduce harmful emissions and improve indoor air quality

What are the design features encouraged by WELL?

Air quality, lighting and visual comfort, thermal comfort, space planning and wellbeing and biophilic design