WELL CERTIFICATION
WELL Certification is a system based on measuring, monitoring and certifying the performance of the built environment that impacts human health and well-being through fundamental concepts and 3 building characteristics: behavior, operation and design.
This system, based on the WELL Building Standard, was born after seven years of in-depth medical research on the connection between buildings and the impact on the health, well-being and productivity of their occupants.
The main objective of this certification is to create a positive experience in human beings, reflected in an increase in their capacity for contemplation, concentration and productivity, reinforcing the social sense of individuals and motivating their sense of belonging to the environment. WELL Certification contributes to the built environment improving nutrition, physical well-being, behavior, sleep patterns and productive performance of the occupants.
WELL V1, WELL V2 AND WELL CORE
Several versions of WELL Certification are currently available: version 1 (WELL v1), version 2 (WELL v2) and WELL Core (variant of WELL v2). Although these versions have the same objective, each of them implies a particular style and workflow for each team.
The WELL methodology consists of the fulfillment of preconditions (mandatory) and optimizations (to be chosen by the work team), distributed within the categories called Concepts.
– WELL v1 is the first available version of the WELL Certification. It consists of 7 different concepts: Air, Water, Nutrition, Lighting, Physical Wellness, Comfort, Mind.
– WELL v2 is the most updated version of this certification, with a methodology that encompasses more universal preconditions with more flexible optimizations for all projects. It consists of 10 different concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Lighting, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community and Innovations.
– WELL Core is a special adaptation of WELL v2. It is ideal for projects that seek to implement healthy features in the base building for the benefit of tenants. This mode of WELL is available in buildings where at least 75% of the area is occupied by one or more tenants or serves as common space for all tenants.
HOW TO ACHIEVE WELL CERTIFICATION?
To obtain the WELL certification in any of its versions, the project must demonstrate a correct compliance with all the preconditions and the number of optimizations dictated by the version in which the project is registered and the level it wishes to achieve.
The preconditions of the scale are mandatory, while the optimizations are voluntary, i.e., the project team defines which of these to apply, identifying the most cost-beneficial for the project and its occupants. Higher certification levels require the approval of a greater number of optimizers.
WELL V1 CERTIFICATION LEVELS
Compliance with 100% of the preconditions of its typology + minimum 40% of the applicable optimizations.
Compliance with 100% of the preconditions of its typology + minimum 80% of the applicable optimizations.
WELL V2 CERTIFICATION LEVELS
(WELL Core Bronze)
Compliance with a minimum of 40 points. Exclusive level for projects under WELL Core.
Compliance with a minimum of 50 points.
Compliance with minimum 60 points.
PLATINUM LEVEL:
Compliance with minimum 80 points.
WHICH ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE WELL CERTIFICATION?
Some of the benefits enjoyed by buildings with this certification are:
● An improved environment for employees, customers, and visitors.
● Increased employee productivity and satisfaction; and consequently, their retention within the company.
● Avant-garde corporate image with a notorious attraction or retention of both clients and collaborators that inspire happiness, identity, and culture.
● Company leadership through quality assurance.
● Differentiation from competitors.
● Invaluable marketing added value.
● Attractive return on investment.
What is the cost overrun and ROI of Well certification?
The additional cost involved in WELL Certification is variable for each project, depending on its type and scale, as is the return on investment.
Many elements required by WELL are not more expensive but are simply more conscious and elaborate selections.
According to a pilot test application of WELL Building Certification in Los Angeles, California, high standards were achieved concerning occupant experience. With only a +1.7% cost overrun versus the original budget, an environment was achieved where 83% of occupants felt more productive and 90% of occupants stated that this new space has created a positive effect on their health, and work performance and promoted interaction between co-workers.
Cundall (an engineering consulting firm) designed its London office in 2016 to be the first building in Europe to be WELL Gold Certified. The company attributes about $80,000 of the total costs to WELL retrofits. However, it reports a 50% reduction in absenteeism and a 27% decrease in staff turnover, which more than offset the WELL costs in just one year.
A WELL Certified building tends to develop an increase in employee happiness and well-being, experiencing a sense of employee satisfaction and engagement and, with it, a 25% to 65% lower staff turnover. Employee retention is extremely valuable to companies due to the high costs to the company of employee departures.
WELL Health & Safety Rating
The WELL Health-Safety rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all types of facilities, focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols, with emergency plans and education to address a post-COVID-19 environment and broader health and safety issues in the future
Operational policies
Adoption of policies and procedures to facilitate a safe and healthy workplace or facility.
Education and engagement
Regular communications, education and signage that capture important updates, activities and information.
Emergency plans
Development of emergency plans and protocols that, when implemented, help protect building users.
Maintenance Procedures
Implementation of facility management and maintenance protocols designed to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission.
WHY DOES THIS RATING MATTER NOW?
Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and consisting of operational interventions that can be undertaken to help mitigate its spread, including the five key topics covered in the qualification:
● Cleaning and disinfection procedures.
● Emergency Preparedness Programs
● Health services resources
● Air and water quality management.
● Stakeholder engagement and communication
REOPENING WITH CONFIDENCE
Flexible
Large and small organizations alike can achieve WELL Health-Safety qualification in any type of facility.
Scalable
Health and safety protocols can be implemented across multiple properties with simplified documentation and a scalable pricing model.
Credible
WELL Health-Safety Rating is based on IWBI’s WELL Building Standard (WELL), the world’s leading framework for advancing healthy buildings and spaces.
Accessible
Affordably priced, with a focus on interventions that require little or no capital expenditure.
TYPOLOGIES
Entries are accepted for all types of buildings and types of facilities (offices, restaurants, hotels, warehouses, stadiums, theaters, schools, etc.).
SEARCH FOR THE SEAL
The WELL Health-Safety seal can be placed on spaces that have achieved qualification as a visual mark to indicate the work the organization has done to implement assigned measures that help support the health of people in a post-COVID- 19 world.
The WELL Health-Safety label highlights the commitment
to support the health of people in your space.
WELL CERTIFICATION IN MEXICO
The project ≪Oficinas Bioconstrucción≫, being the central offices of Bioconstrucción y Energía Alternativa, located in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, became the first project to obtain this avant-garde recognition in Mexico. Bioconstruction Offices becomes a pioneer case study in the country, which has been disseminated internationally.
In August 2019, the International WELL Building Institute directory shows 21 WELL projects in its directory, of which only 2 are certified. Around the world, there are more than 3,300 registered projects and more than 210 certified.
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