{"id":211733,"date":"2025-05-02T11:00:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T15:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=211733"},"modified":"2025-05-27T10:09:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T14:09:20","slug":"from-leed-to-well-certifying-healthy-resilient-and-sustainable-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/from-leed-to-well-certifying-healthy-resilient-and-sustainable-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"From LEED to WELL: Certifying healthy, resilient, and sustainable buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Alan Scott, FAIA, LEED Fellow, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, WELL AP, CEM<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Bright,<\/a>
Photos courtesy Intertek<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The priorities guiding today\u2019s construction industry extend beyond traditional structural integrity and visual appeal. The focus now includes how well a building serves its occupants and the environment, especially in the face of increasing climate challenges. Engineers, architects, and specifiers are under growing pressure to design and deliver spaces that prioritize sustainability, occupant well-being, and resilience. At the forefront of this transformation are frameworks such as LEED, the WELL Building Standard, and property resilience assessments (PRAs), which help guide and certify projects that meet elevated benchmarks of environmental responsibility, health-centered design, and climate adaptability.<\/p>\n

Integrating sustainability and health with LEED and WELL<\/h2>\n
\"Modern<\/a>
A roof uses vegetation to manage stormwater, improve insulation, and reduce the urban heat island effect. It supports LEED strategies for site development, thermal comfort, and long-term building performance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The U.S. Green Building Council\u2019s LEED certification has long been recognized as the standard for sustainable building practices. LEED promotes strategies that reduce energy and water use, minimize waste, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, all while improving indoor environmental quality. Incorporating resilient and sustainable features can also help reduce long-term operational risks and improve a building\u2019s value.<\/p>\n

Complementing LEED is the WELL Building Standard, administered by the International WELL Building Institute. While LEED focuses mainly on the building\u2019s environmental footprint, WELL zeroes in on the people inside. WELL-certified buildings are designed to support and improve the health, comfort, and performance of their occupants. This includes attention to air and water quality, illumination, nourishment, fitness, thermal comfort, and acoustics.<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/a>
Flexible meeting areas within open offices help teams connect while supporting overall productivity. Acoustic zoning and material choices can reduce noise disruptions in these collaborative environments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As building occupants seek healthier indoor environments, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, standards such as WELL have become essential tools in the designer\u2019s toolkit. WELL provides a measurable and science-backed framework for implementing design and operational strategies that directly affect the physical and mental health of occupants.<\/p>\n

Why indoor air quality matters more than ever<\/h2>\n

Perhaps no building feature has drawn as much attention in recent years as indoor air quality (IAQ). The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of how airborne contaminants can affect our health. As a result, IAQ has become a critical design and operational consideration, especially in high-traffic and high-vulnerability settings such as schools, offices, and healthcare facilities.<\/p>\n

A building that prioritizes clean, healthy air not only supports the immediate health of its users but also improves productivity and reduces absenteeism. IAQ criteria under the WELL Building Standard focus on comprehensive filtration strategies, effective ventilation design, humidity control, and the elimination or reduction of indoor pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, carbon monoxide, and CO2.<\/p>\n

\"Aerial<\/a>
Flooding can disrupt operations, damage infrastructure, and put occupants at risk. Assessing site vulnerabilities early in the design process helps teams plan for natural hazards and climate-related threats.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Specifiers and architects should consider the integration of HVAC systems that exceed ASHRAE 62.1 standards, employ MERV 13 or higher filtration, and offer dedicated outdoor air systems. For WELL certification, Feature A01 requires air filtration systems to meet at least MERV 13 performance and be verified through operational testing. In LEED v4.1, EQ Credit: Enhanced IAQ Strategies provides points for additional particle filtration and CO2 monitoring. Materials and finishes should be selected based on low-emitting certifications, such as GREENGUARD Gold or FloorScore, to minimize VOC contributions. Post-occupancy IAQ testing is often required for WELL certification and recommended for LEED v4.1 EQ credits, to meet thresholds for formaldehyde, PM2.5, PM10, ozone, and TVOCs. In addition, airtight construction and proper commissioning verify that air handling systems operate as designed, maintaining proper air changes per hour and limiting pollutant ingress from adjacent zones.<\/p>\n

Water quality is another key IEQ-adjacent concern. Specifiers should incorporate point-of-use filtration systems, select plumbing fixtures that are compliant with NSF\/ANSI standards, and plan for regular testing protocols to detect contaminants such as lead, copper, and Legionella bacteria. This is particularly important in facilities with vulnerable populations, such as schools and medical buildings.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Monitoring HVAC system performance in real-time helps teams track air quality and energy use. Mobile tools make it easier to stay on top of system operations and maintain building performance over time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The role of acoustics in occupant wellness<\/h2>\n

Another frequently overlooked but equally critical component of occupant well-being is acoustic quality. Poor acoustic environments can lead to chronic stress, reduced productivity, disrupted sleep, and diminished cognitive performance. For design professionals, acoustic planning is an increasingly important metric for both occupant wellness and compliance with WELL certification.<\/p>\n

Effective acoustic strategies begin with understanding the building program and associated user needs. For example, schools benefit from low background noise and clear speech intelligibility, while healthcare facilities prioritize patient rest and privacy. Office environments require a balance between collaborative spaces, speech privacy, and concentration zones. ANSI S12.60 recommends maximum background noise levels of 35 dBA for classrooms to support speech intelligibility and student engagement. For open offices, WELL recommends a maximum of 50 dBA for ambient noise in collaboration zones and
\n40 dBA in focus areas.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Regular water quality testing helps identify contaminants such as lead, copper, and Legionella, supporting health and safety, especially in schools and healthcare settings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Specifiers should reference standards such as ANSI S12.60 for classrooms and the WELL Sound concept performance metrics to address these needs. Design approaches may include:<\/p>\n