WELL and BREEAM align
In November 2016, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and BRE announced an alignment between the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and BREEAM. Combining the two standards is intended to make it easier for projects seeking to conform with them.
The agreement will involve the identification of specific credits which will be recognised by both organisations, resulting in savings in time and money as project teams will not have to submit the same documentation twice.
The WELL Building Standard was launched in 2013, focusing on human health and wellness. It marries best practice in design and construction with evidence-based medical and scientific research – harnessing the built environment as a vehicle to support human health and wellbeing. Since launching, more than 300 projects encompassing 60 million sq. ft have been registered or certified in 27 countries.
BREEAM sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through design, specification, construction and operation.
Certification in both systems is achieved through the submission of project documentation and on-site post-occupancy performance testing.
WELL's certifying body, Green Business Certification Inc, is working with BRE to identify the applicable credits between the two standards, with an expected completion date of January 2017.
Gavin Dunn, Director of Building Performance Group at BRE, said: “We’re excited about the opportunity to join forces in a way that will advance the inclusion of health and well-being considerations in Europe’s built environment."
Rick Fedrizzi, chairman and CEO, IWBI said: “Since the beginning, IWBI has worked to find ways that WELL can work harmoniously with the world’s leading sustainable building standards, because we believe sustainability and health are synonymous. We look forward to partnering with BRE to advance this important concept by helping project teams who are using both BREEAM and WELL deliver a more sustainable and healthier built environment as efficiently as possible.”
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Assessing health and wellbeing in buildings.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BREEAM.
- BREEAM assessor.
- Building Back Better: Health.
- Closing the gap between design and as-built performance.
- Greenbuild 2017.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED.
- Measuring the wellbeing benefits of interior materials.
- Performance in use.
- WELL Building Standard.
- Wellbeing and buildings.
- Wellbeing considerations for property managers.
Featured articles and news
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.