WELL Building and Fitwel Certifications: Health and Wellness Beyond LEED Sustainability

WELL Building Standard (WELL) and Fitwel certifications focus on building occupant health and wellness. Distinct from LEED (sustainability focused) — health, fitness, mental wellbeing, social connectivity focus. WELL by IWBI (International WELL Building Institute) and Fitwel by Center for Active Design. Substantial growth post-COVID with increased focus on health. Understanding wellness certifications helps construction firms respond to growing market demand.

This post covers WELL Building and Fitwel certifications.

WELL Building Standard

WELL substantial wellness certification:

WELL Building Standard substantial wellness certification. 10 concepts including air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, community. Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum levels through certification. Performance-based with testing required for many features (vs prescriptive only). Substantial scope covering substantial occupant aspects. International with substantial global adoption. Specific to project type with project-type specific features.

Fitwel

Fitwel alternative wellness:

Fitwel alternative wellness certification. Strategy-based vs WELL feature-based approach. 1, 2, 3 Star levels through certification. Lower-cost certification typically vs WELL (substantially less expensive). Specific scorecards per project type (commercial interior, multifamily, etc.). Substantial commercial adoption growing. Specific evidence-based strategies derived from research. Distinct from WELL's substantial detailed approach.

Air Quality

Air quality substantial focus:

Air quality substantial focus in wellness certifications. Substantial filtration MERV 13+ typical (vs MERV 8-10 standard). VOC limits on materials reducing off-gassing. Substantial outside air per ASHRAE 62.1+ levels. Air quality monitoring continuous in some certifications. Specific to certification requirements. Post-COVID emphasis substantial as building owners respond to indoor air quality concerns.

Lighting and Circadian

Lighting circadian focus:

Lighting circadian focus in wellness. Daylight access for substantial portion of occupants. Circadian lighting with color temperature varying through day (cooler morning, warmer evening) supporting natural rhythms. Substantial illumination levels per task. Glare control supporting comfort. Specific to space type (office, residential, healthcare). Substantial wellbeing impact through quality lighting.

Movement and Fitness

Movement encouragement:

Movement and fitness encouragement substantial. Active design with stairs prominent vs hidden encouraging use. Walking/biking infrastructure including bike storage, showers. Fitness facilities sometimes (gym, yoga studio in office). Sit-stand workstations supporting movement. Specific to certification requirements. Substantial behavioral influence on occupant activity.

Materials

Materials substantial:

Materials substantial wellness focus. Low-VOC throughout building. Specific material restrictions (substantial chemicals avoided). Health Product Declarations (HPDs) documenting material content. Specific to certification requirements. Substantial documentation supporting compliance.

Bottom Line

WELL Building and Fitwel certifications focus on occupant health beyond LEED sustainability. WELL substantial detailed standard with 10 concepts. Fitwel alternative strategy-based approach. Air quality substantial focus. Lighting and circadian focus. Movement and fitness encouragement. Materials substantial focus. For construction firms, wellness certifications growing market opportunity. Quality wellness expertise positions firms for growth. Worth substantial attention.