dowidth.com 
Wellness certification in buildings focuses on enhancing occupant health and well-being through indoor air quality, natural lighting, and biophilic design, differentiating it from BREEAM, which primarily evaluates environmental performance and sustainability metrics such as energy efficiency and waste reduction. The WELL Building Standard emphasizes human-centric features, while BREEAM offers a broader environmental assessment framework applicable to diverse building types. Discover how integrating these certifications can elevate your real estate project's value and sustainability goals.
Why it is important
Understanding the difference between wellness certification and BREEAM in real estate is crucial for aligning building design with occupant health and environmental sustainability standards respectively. Wellness certifications focus on enhancing indoor environmental quality, physical and mental well-being, and occupant productivity. BREEAM primarily assesses a building's overall environmental performance, including energy efficiency, water usage, and carbon footprint. Selecting the appropriate certification ensures targeted benefits and compliance with specific real estate market demands.
Comparison Table
| Aspect | Wellness Certification | BREEAM |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Human health and well-being in building environments | Sustainability and environmental impact of buildings |
| Key Criteria | Air quality, lighting, fitness spaces, mental health, water quality | Energy efficiency, waste management, water use, ecology, pollution |
| Certification Levels | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum | Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding |
| Assessment Type | Performance-based audits and occupant surveys | Third-party audits based on environmental credits |
| Applicability | Primarily commercial, residential, workplaces focusing on occupant wellness | All types of buildings including new and existing developments |
| Global Reach | Growing international adoption, led by WELL Building Institute | Widely adopted in Europe and globally, administered by BRE |
| Benefits | Enhances occupant productivity and health, reduces sick days | Reduces environmental footprint, lowers operational costs |
Which is better?
Wellness certification in buildings focuses on occupant health, air quality, natural light, and overall well-being, making it ideal for projects emphasizing human-centric design. BREEAM, a comprehensive environmental assessment method, evaluates sustainability parameters including energy use, water efficiency, and ecological impact, optimizing a building's environmental footprint. Choosing between the two depends on project goals: prioritize health and comfort with wellness certification or broader sustainability performance with BREEAM.
Connection
Wellness certification in buildings, such as WELL, focuses on occupant health and well-being by addressing factors like air quality, lighting, and ergonomics, while BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) emphasizes sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. Both certifications often intersect in green building projects by promoting sustainable design metrics that enhance occupant comfort and reduce ecological footprints. Integrating WELL and BREEAM standards leads to holistic real estate developments that prioritize environmental responsibility alongside human wellness.
Key Terms
Sustainability Standards
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) primarily assesses environmental sustainability by evaluating energy efficiency, water usage, and waste management in buildings, ensuring reduced ecological impact. Wellness certifications, such as WELL Building Standard, focus on occupant health and well-being by measuring air quality, lighting, acoustics, and biophilic design elements. Explore detailed comparisons of how these certifications address different sustainability dimensions to optimize building performance and inhabitant comfort.
Indoor Environmental Quality
BREEAM certification emphasizes comprehensive sustainability metrics, including energy efficiency and low environmental impact, while wellness certifications like WELL focus specifically on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), prioritizing air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and occupant health. Studies reveal that buildings with WELL certification demonstrate improved cognitive function and employee well-being due to stricter IEQ standards compared to BREEAM's broader criteria. Explore the detailed benefits of combining BREEAM and wellness certification to optimize indoor environments and occupant satisfaction.
Occupant Health
BREEAM certification evaluates building sustainability with an emphasis on environmental impact, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort, while wellness certifications such as WELL prioritize occupant health by focusing on air quality, lighting, and ergonomics. Studies show WELL-certified buildings improve occupant productivity, reduce sick days, and enhance overall wellbeing through biophilic design and advanced ventilation systems. Discover how integrating these standards can elevate building performance and occupant health outcomes.
Source and External Links
BREEAM - Wikipedia - The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a global standard for assessing the sustainability of buildings, first published in 1990.
What is BREEAM? - BREEAM is the oldest green building certification system, renowned for its rigor and currently used in 85 countries to evaluate building sustainability.
What is BREEAM? - NBS - BREEAM is a sustainability assessment method that evaluates buildings across various environmental categories, including energy, land use, and health and wellbeing.