WELL, WELL, WELL - BREEAM, BREEAM, BREEAM

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27 January 2018 | Updated 01 January 1970

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) have released a new, improved briefing paper that outlines how projects may achieve both a certified BREEAM rating and WELL Certification.

Assessing Health and Wellbeing in Buildings - Alignment between BREEAM and the WELL Building Standard - was developed using industry feedback from professionals working to achieve joint certification of BREEAM and the WELL Building Standard (WELL). To simplify the process for project teams pursuing both standards, BRE and IWBI have worked together to compare performance requirements, harmonise evidence and identify opportunities to streamline the process of achieving dual certification.

Specific improvements and enhancements to the guidance document include instructions for projects that clarify how to use the crosswalk, minor amendments to the alignments and overlaps between the two standards and a simplified labelling system. The new crosswalk also features useful notes and comments to clarify these alignments. 

Additionally, the project types and schemes for both certification programs have expanded. Extra guidance is now included for Core & Shell projects targeting dual certification, to ensure that all WELL project types – New and Existing Buildings, New and Existing Interiors and Core & Shell – have a clear roadmap. BREEAM schemes in the crosswalk include BREEAM New Construction UK and International, BREEAM Refurbishment & Fit Out, BREEAM-In-Use and now BREEAM USA -  In-Use. 

“Our friends working to deliver sustainable, healthy buildings in the UK and Europe have given us specific and thoughtful input that helped inform this update. We’re pleased to continue our collaboration with BREEAM to make it easier for project teams to link their sustainability initiatives to WELL,” said IWBI Chairman and CEO Rick Fedrizzi. “Through this enhanced crosswalk, together we can advance the positive impacts we can have on both people and the planet."

“We welcome this feedback from the early adopters of the Crosswalk. Since its development over 25 years ago health and wellbeing factors like air quality, lighting, ventilation and ecology have been a key part of the BREEAM standard," said Alan Yates, Technical Director of BREEAM. "WELL introduces further complementary factors and post occupancy measurement. We look forward to working together to drive further progress in delivering a built environment that enhances the lives of people and the planet,”

Originally published in January 2017, the document demonstrates the significant synergies between the two methods and the efficiencies that exist between their assessment and certification processes. It highlights the BREEAM credits that can be used to demonstrate compliance with WELL features and conversely, the WELL features that can be used to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM assessment issues. 

WELL is a global standard and addresses a number of issues already covered by regulations in the UK and across the EU. For this reason, the document also sets out the areas where WELL requirements are aligned with UK and/or EU regulations. 

BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for masterplanning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It is now applied in 77 countries around the world with over 2.2million buildings registered under its schemes. 

This work forms a part of an ongoing collaboration between BRE and IWBI to work together to harmonise their approach to health and wellbeing in the built environment across their standards, research programmes and services generally.

Picture: The BRE Innovation Park, Watford for illustration purposes only

About BRE

BRE has been raising the standards of the built environment since 1921, and in the last few years has grown significantly, both through the achievements of our people and the acquisition of businesses with beliefs and goals aligned with our own. Our multi-disciplinary teams include leading experts – working in world-class facilities – in virtually every element of the built environment. They operate internationally, with offices, representatives and partners around the globe, and at our Head Office and major facilities in the UK. Our long heritage of putting progressive thinking into practice means that our customers and partners, wherever they are in the world, trust us to deliver. BRE is part of the BRE Trust, which uses the profits we make from our services to fund new research and education programmes.

About the International WELL Building Institute

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is leading the global movement to promote the health and wellness of people in buildings and communities everywhere. IWBI delivers the cutting-edge WELL Building Standard and the WELL Community Standard, performance-based systems for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of buildings and communities that impact the health and wellness of the people who live, work, and learn in them. It also supports the growing number of professionals who seek WELL accreditation, as third-party administered by GBCI. www.wellcertified.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 27 January 2018

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