How WELL Certification Supports Occupant Wellbeing

Creating healthier spaces has become essential for building owners, developers, and organisations aiming to support people at work. WELL Certification helps achieve this by setting clear standards that improve comfort, health, and performance. The framework focuses on evidence-based strategies that enhance how people feel, think, and behave inside a building.

What WELL Certification Means

WELL Certification evaluates how a building impacts the people who use it daily. It covers areas such as air, water, thermal comfort, light, movement, sound, and mind. Each factor shapes overall wellbeing, and research consistently shows that healthier internal environments improve productivity and reduce sick days.

Businesses now recognise that building can influence outcomes just as much as good management. Because of that, demand for WELL projects grows each year. Globally, more than 5 billion square feet of space is now enrolled in WELL programmes¹.

Better Air for Healthier Teams

Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air². Poor ventilation increases headaches, fatigue, and sickness. WELL sets strict limits for pollutants and encourages continuous monitoring.

Buildings that improve ventilation and filtration can help reduce sick leave by up to 35%³. This level of improvement benefits both employees and employers.

Quality Light Improves Focus

Light affects mood, alertness, and sleep. WELL encourages buildings to use lighting that follows natural daylight rhythms. Studies show that workers with more natural light report a 51% drop in eyestrain and a 63% improvement in overall wellbeing⁴.

Good lighting design gives teams the visual comfort they need to focus on throughout the day.

Comfortable and Inclusive Spaces

Thermal comfort remains one of the most common complaints in UK workplaces. Temperatures that are too warm or too cold reduce concentration and increase stress. WELL guidelines help designers set stable conditions that support everyone in the room.

Sound levels also matter. Excessive noise reduces productivity by up to 66%⁵. WELL suggests sound-absorbing materials and layouts that minimise disturbances. These considerations create spaces where people feel calm and able to work.

Supporting Mental Wellbeing

WELL places equal importance on mental health. Design choices like biophilic elements, rest areas, and movement-friendly layouts help occupants feel more balanced. Access to greenery alone can reduce stress by 37%⁶.

The Mind concept within WELL encourages strategies that build connections, encourage breaks, and promote healthy routines. These improvements support long-term wellbeing, especially in high-pressure environments.

A Framework That Supports Better Outcomes

WELL Certification gives building owners a clear roadmap to create healthier environments. It increases asset value, strengthens ESG performance, and helps organisations show commitment to their people.

For developers, partnering with experts ensures that each design stage aligns with WELL requirements. Syntegra’s team provides guidance across environmental engineering, sustainability, and well-being-focused design—helping projects achieve compliance smoothly and efficiently.

Footnotes

1.  International WELL Building Institute – Global WELL Project Registration Data https://www.wellcertified.com/
2.  UK Health and Safety Executive – Indoor Air Quality Guidance https://www.hse.gov.uk/ventilation/
3.  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Healthy Buildings Program https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/
4.  Lighting Research Center (LRC) – Daylight and Occupant Wellbeing Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28526259/
5.  World Health Organization – Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789289053563
6. University of Exeter – Nature & Stress Reduction Study
   https://researchandinnovation.co.uk/