WELL by the Numbers: State of the Projects

In a global context increasingly focused on sustainability, the WELL Building Standard certification has become a benchmark for buildings centered on health and occupant well-being. Since its creation by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), this international certification has seen growing adoption in many countries (135 countries in total), including Thailand. Currently, there are 47,870 WELL projects worldwide with 13,059 certified. In Thailand, 26 projects have achieved WELL certification out of 180 registered projects.

The data used in this article is sourced from the IWBI database, downloaded on 17/07/2024, available here.

What is WELL  ?

The WELL Building Standard certification evaluates and certifies buildings based on 10 essential concepts to promote health and well-being of occupants. These concepts are:

• Air: Ensuring superior indoor air quality through effective ventilation and filtration systems.

• Water: Providing high-quality, accessible drinking water, including treatment and filtration.

• Nourishment: Encouraging healthy and balanced diets.

• Light: Optimizing natural and artificial lighting to improve mood and productivity.

• Movement: Promoting physical activity through space design.

• Thermal Comfort: Maintaining optimal temperature and humidity conditions.

• Sound: Reducing noise pollution for enhanced acoustic comfort.

• Materials: Using sustainable, non-toxic materials.

• Mind: Supporting mental well-being through thoughtful design, colors, and decoration.

• Community: Creating environments that encourage social interaction and positive corporate culture.
  

The WELL certification process includes several key steps:

• Registration: Projects must be registered with the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).

• Documentation: Project teams submit documents proving compliance with WELL criteria.

• On-site verification: A WELL assessor conducts a site visit to verify implemented measures.

• Certification and scoring: Projects are rated and certified based on their performance across the ten concepts. However, a WELL certification for a project is only valid for a maximum of three years and therefore requires recertification at the end of this period.

For more information, visit the official site here.

Levels of WELL certification

The WELL rating system is structured into different certification levels, ranging from base certification to Platinum, based on the number of points earned in these categories:

• Bronze: 40 to 49 points

• Silver: 50 to 59 points

• Gold: 60 to 79 points

• Platinum: 80 points and above

Distribution in the World

The above graph shows the distribution of WELL certifications worldwide. The majority of projects achieve Gold (51.6%) and Platinum (34.3%) certifications. Silver certifications represent 13.3% of projects, while Bronze certifications are the fewest at 0.8%.

Distribution in Thailand

The graph above illustrates the distribution of WELL certifications in Thailand. There are 154 registered projects, 7 pre-certified, and 4 Gold certified buildings, with no Bronze, Silver, or Platinum certifications. Additionally, there are 15 Health-Safety rated projects. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an annual rating focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement, and emergency plans to ensure the safety and well-being of building occupants. These data indicate that WELL certification is still in the early stages of implementation in Thailand, with only a small number of projects fully certified, apart from the Health-Safety rating.

WELL by sector

The WELL certification system is designed to be flexible and adaptable to various types of buildings, allowing different sectors to meet well-being standards. There are several WELL certifications for different types of projects, for example:

• WELL Core: For commercial or institutional buildings focusing on the health and well-being of occupants.

• WELL New and Existing Buildings: For new construction projects or major renovations.

• WELL Interiors: For interior design projects.

• WELL Community: For neighborhood development projects aimed at promoting health and well-being on a larger community scale.

These systems enable WELL to be applied globally to various construction or renovation projects, addressing the specific needs of each sector.

Distribution in the World

The above graph shows the distribution of WELL-certified projects worldwide. Most projects are in the commercial sector (83.9%), followed by the residential (7.6%) and healthcare (4.0%) sectors. The industrial and other sectors represent 1.6% and 1.8%, respectively.

Distribution in Thailand

The above graph shows the distribution of WELL-certified projects in Thailand. Most projects are in the commercial sector (83.7%), similar to the global trend. The residential sector is higher at 10.0%, indicating a greater focus on wellness in living spaces. Healthcare projects are at 3.7%, slightly below the global average. The industrial sector and other sectors represent 1.7% and 1.8%, respectively, aligning closely with global figures. This highlights Thailand's alignment with global trends but with more emphasis on residential wellness.

Evolution of WELL Certification Worldwide and in Thailand

The evolution of the number of WELL-certified projects over the years illustrates the growth and increasing adoption of sustainable building practices worldwide and in Thailand.

Evolution Worldwide

The above graph shows the evolution of WELL-certified projects worldwide. From 2014 to 2024, the number of WELL-certified projects has experienced exponential growth, increasing from 6 projects in 2014 to 11,615 projects in 2024. This rise reflects the growing emphasis on well-being and sustainability in the construction sector globally.

Evolution in Thailand

The graph above shows the evolution of WELL-certified projects in Thailand. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of WELL certifications has increased significantly, from 4 projects in 2020 to 26 projects in 2024. This growth underscores Thailand's late but accelerating commitment to health and well-being-focused construction practices.

Conclusion

The WELL certification continues to grow globally, emphasizing the importance of well-being and sustainability in construction. The data shows a strong adoption trend, with notable growth in certified projects in Thailand and worldwide. By focusing on ten key concepts, WELL provides a comprehensive framework for improving the health, comfort, and productivity of building occupants. Trends indicate a growing commitment to high well-being standards, particularly with a significant proportion of projects achieving Health-Safety and Gold certification in Thailand.

Do you want to certify a construction or renovation project? Contact us!