11 November 2024

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If you are working towards attaining a WELL certificate and want a concise overview of the WELL Building Standard concepts, this article will provide you with the essential details.

As a commercial washroom company that provides compliant washroom solutions for architects, developers, and contractors, Dolphin has extensive experience helping our clients design WELL compliant washrooms and guiding them through the WELL Building Standard.

Here is a brief overview of the current WELL Building Standard, and its 10 concepts.

WELL compliant washroom at Space House London

What is the WELL Building Standard?

The WELL Building Standard evaluates building attributes that influence occupant health and sets strategies to enhance health and wellbeing through thoughtful design and operational practices.

The WELL Standard is organised around 10 core concepts, each with specific health-related goals and follows a points-based system to assess performance in each project scorecard.

These concepts consist of features that are categorised as either preconditions, which are mandatory, or optimisations, which offer additional opportunities to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

well air concept icon 1. Air

The WELL Air concept focuses on maintaining high indoor air quality throughout a building’s life by using a variety of strategies, such as reducing or eliminating pollution sources, designing and operating buildings efficiently, and encouraging healthy habits.

well water concept icon 2. Water

The WELL Water concept focuses on the quality, distribution, and management of water in a building. It includes features that ensure safe drinking water and control contaminant levels, while also managing water to prevent damage to materials and the environment.

Commercial washroom design and washroom products fall within this WELL Building Standard concept.

well water concept icon 3. Nourishment

The WELL Nourishment concept ensures access to fruits, vegetables, and clear nutritional information. It promotes food environments where making the healthiest choice is the easiest option.

well light concept icon 4. Light

The WELL Light concept encourages exposure to light and aims to create lighting that supports visual, mental, and biological health.

well movement concept icon 5. Movement

The WELL Movement concept encourages physical activity by integrating movement opportunities into our culture, buildings, and communities through design, policies, and programmes.

well thermal comfort concept icon 6. Thermal Comfort

The WELL Thermal Comfort concept aims to boost productivity and ensure maximum comfort for all building users by improving Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and accommodating individual temperature preferences.

well sound concept icon 7. Sound

The WELL Sound concept enhances health and well-being by identifying and addressing acoustic factors that affect comfort in the built environment.

well materials concept icon 8. Materials

The WELL Materials concept focuses on limiting human exposure to harmful chemicals during building construction, remodelling, furnishing, and operation.

well mind concept icon 9. Mind

The WELL Mind concept supports mental health through policies, programs, and design strategies that address various factors affecting cognitive and emotional well-being.

well community concept icon 10. Community

The WELL Community concept promotes access to essential healthcare, fosters a culture of health for diverse needs, and creates an inclusive, engaged community.

Where to find the latest WELL building standard v2

The WELL v2 Standards can be found on the WELL website and the newest version is currently WELL v2, Q1-Q2 2024.

The WELL Building Standard concepts are reviewed throughout the year and may be updated so it is important that you keep up to date with them.

WELL compliant special finished accessible washroom at Saint Martin's Le Grand

Do commercial washrooms fall under WELL certification criteria?

Public and commercial washrooms fall under the Water Concept within the Hygiene Support Feature of the WELL Building Standard.

To achieve the full 4 points in this Feature, the requirements must be met in the following Parts:

Part 1: Provide Bathroom Accommodations
Part 2: Ensure Bathroom Accommodations
Part 3: Support Effective Handwashing
Part 4: Provide Handwashing Supplies and Signage

Achieve a WELL compliant washroom

Understanding the WELL Building Standard empowers architects to design spaces that promote health and safety, sustainability, and appeal to both occupants and clients.

While achieving WELL Certification can seem daunting due to the many requirements in the WELL Building Standard, partnering with an experienced commercial washroom company can streamline the process.

If you are pursuing WELL accreditation and need help with earning points under the Hygiene Support Feature, our knowledgeable washroom consultants are here to guide you through every step.

Let us contact you