Flexibility
Fitwel is a practical certification standard for organisations and projects that want to integrate health in an uncomplicated way.
A healthy building with Fitwel or the WELL Building Standard
Whether working in an office, recovering in a hospital, or learning in school, a healthy environment adds value for both the building user and the owner.
Research has shown that a healthy and pleasant living and working environment contributes to the performance, level of satisfaction and well-being of building users.
We see that caring properly for people is becoming an increasingly important element of sustainability. Thinking, for example, of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, of which goal 3 aims to promote health and well-being. Another reference is the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, which has extended the Taxonomy Regulation to include social taxonomy, with a specific focus on social investments and objectives.
When developing a healthy building it is important to consider the building itself, its users, and the surroundings during the decision-making process. But how do you know whether the choices you are making are healthy ones? Various certification standards have been developed for this purpose, with each offering guidelines to promote the health and well-being of building users. Two well-known standards in this context are the WELL Building Standard and Fitwel. In this blog we compare these two certification standards and investigate which is most suitable in which situation.
WELL Building Standard as a holistic approach
The WELL Building Standard is a globally recognised certification standard which focuses on the health and well-being of building users. It provides insight into ten aspects of buildings affecting people's health, namely: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, acoustics, materials, mind and community.
The WELL Building Standard is characterised by its holistic approach. Health and well-being are considered by tackling various aspects of a building. This results in advice including both technical and organisational measures. The aim is to create an environment which promotes the health and well-being of building users and local residents.
The ten health aspects of WELL
The WELL Building Standard can be applied to a broad range of buildings and can be used for both new and existing ones. It is also possible to distinguish between measures for the building shell and the fit-out. That distinction can be made thanks to the extensive requirements of the WELL Building Standard on each aspect. The method sets a high bar, which results in certified buildings standing out from others. This requires good planning, implementation and monitoring to meet the standards. An integrated, multidisciplinary approach is important for successful completion.
Fitwel as a flexible and practical alternative
Fitwel is another certification standard focused on promoting the health and well-being of building users. It provides guidelines for buildings on the themes of location, building access, outdoor spaces, entrances, stairs, indoor environment, building facilities, water supply, prepared food areas and emergency preparedness. Compared to the WELL Building Standard, Fitwel offers more flexibility because it is a modular system. This allows users to choose from various categories and measures which best align with their needs and goals.
Fitwel is also simpler to implement, thanks to the less detailed requirements compared to the WELL Building Standard. This makes it easier, cheaper and more accessible to organisations in terms of implementing the measures and acquiring the Fitwel certificate, particularly for existing buildings. Although the requirements are less stringent, they still refer to various themes relating to healthy buildings. In contrast to WELL, Fitwel specifies the requirements for various building types in more detail. As a result, the requirements are better aligned with the building's use.
Which standard is most suitable in your situation?
Choosing the right certification standard depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of building, the organisational goals and the available resources. Although every situation is unique, we notice that, thanks to their differences, one certification standard can be more suitable in certain situations and buildings than the other. It may also occur that a broader insight into building design is desired than WELL and Fitwel can offer. When it is clear which health ambitions are important for your building, a tailor-made program of requirements may be even more appropriate, which our advisors will gladly help you compile.
When choosing between the WELL Building Standard and Fitwel it is also important to take into account the specific situation and requirements of the building and its users. Several considerations are:
Ambition
Is health a high priority for your building? With the WELL Building Standard, you can demonstrate that you fulfil detailed requirements.
Benchmarking
WELL certification gives you the possibility to compare the performance of your building in relation to other buildings within a variety of sectors.
Budget
WELL certification is more expensive due to the requirements related to documentation and performance testing, while Fitwel is flexible and cost-effective thanks to its modular approach.
Taking into account the complexity, flexibility, specific focus and cost factors will enable you to make a carefully considered choice between the WELL Building Standard and Fitwel. Your decision will, of course, depend on the needs and possibilities of the building and its users, but you’re not alone in this decision. Our experts would be more than happy to share ideas and help you make the best decision based on the specific situation of your building.
If you have any doubts about whether one of the two certification standards is feasible, we can use our quick scan to clarify your options. For more information, please contact one of our experts. Would you like to know more about how we are developing healthy buildings? Read more on our page about a healthy, safe, and comfortable built environment.
If you have any doubts about whether one of the two certification standards is feasible, we can use our quick scan to clarify your options. For more information, please contact one of our experts. Would you like to know more about how we are developing healthy buildings? Read more on our page about a healthy, safe, and comfortable built environment.
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