What is the WELL Standard?
It is a certification that aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of people, both for buildings and for communities. Within that certification, we have 10 concepts and those range from air quality and water quality to acoustic, nourishment, movement/fitness, mental health, and wellbeing.
Why are people starting to rethink how they inhabit the world?
Going back to our earliest days on earth, we had a dependent relationship on what the planet gave us. Then we started building these boxes around ourselves to keep it all out. Now we’re returning to the [idea] that there are intricate and interconnected relationships between humans and the environments in which we live.
How does this holistic approach to wellness affect building design?
The future of buildings will be human-centered and allow us to live our best lives, and perhaps, our longest lives. We spend 90 percent of our time indoors, so we now also have an increasing understanding of the profound impact that those environments have on our health and wellbeing.
How can a WELL-certified building impact someone’s life?
A woman in a WELL-certified office lost 40 pounds because they have hydration challenges, active workstations, standing desks, fitness challenges, better food, and transparency around nutritional attributes. We’re not in the business of certifying buildings; we’re in the business of market transformation. When we put it through that lens, we approach the opportunity differently.
How can the standards enhance hospitality spaces?
We like to start from the notion of intent. Is it to help a busy traveler get a better night’s sleep? We can help you with circadian lighting, adding blackout shades on the windows, and enhancing air quality. Those benefits extend way beyond the guest’s stay. When was the last time you checked yourself into a hotel room and felt like you left a healthier person?
