WELL Building Standard: A New Approach to Thoughtful Design

Have you ever heard of the WELL Building Standard?

In today’s post, we are diving into this forward-thinking standard in the world of architectural design. Consider this your crash course on WELL, which has become one of our firm’s favorite frameworks for thinking about intentional design.

What Is WELL?

Put simply, the WELL Building Standard helps architects like us create healthier interior spaces. While LEED and Green Buildings focus on the ever-important sustainability of buildings, WELL measures various attributes of a building to improve occupant health and wellbeing. By emphasizing user experience, WELL helps individuals improve their productivity, increase learning, and boost their physical and mental health.

While the WELL Building Standard was first created in 2013 by Paul Scialla of Delos company, new research from September of 2023 has further emphasized the importance of obtaining a WELL Certification. The study compares the performance of occupants in WELL-Certified versus non-Certified workplaces. Its authors conclude, “Our findings show that benefits related to satisfaction, health, productivity, and creativity may be achieved by following the WELL Building Standard.”

The Seven Concepts

For context, let’s cover the seven different elements, or Concepts, for monitoring, measuring, and certifying a health-promoting building.

1. Air

The main goal here is to optimize air quality. Some strategies include removing airborne contaminants and preventative maintenance.

2. Water

Water should both be high quality and accessible. Strategic placement, treatment, and filtration can help reach these goals.

3. Nourishment

The goal of this Concept is to encourage better eating. This can be achieved through design that encourages healthier food choices and habits.

4. Light

Daylighting helps increase natural light while minimizing disruption to the body’s circadian rhythm. Strategic window placement, for instance, can boost occupants’ energy levels, mood, and more.

5. Fitness

The goal of this Concept is to encourage physical activity. Building design technologies and research-based strategies can enable occupants to work out or remain active throughout the day.

6. Comfort 

Next, occupants should find their space productive, peaceful, and free of distractions. One way to achieve this is by increasing thermal and acoustic controllability.

7. Mind

Last but not least, a space should support its occupants’ mental and emotional health. There are many ways to meet this goal, but designated spaces to relax, for instance, are just one way intentional design can support inhabitants’ minds.

Our Team’s Take on WELL

Honestly? We love it! We think the very best design considers both sustainability and the occupant experience. Using the health-promoting WELL Building Standard, we aim to design buildings that honor their inhabitants. Rather than centering our approach around a flashy publishable exterior, MoDE considers the people who will spend time in our buildings first and foremost–because they deserve a space that allows them to thrive.