Get to know WELL beta features

At IWBI, we aspire to transform our buildings and communities in an effort to help people thrive. One way that we continue to evolve and enhance WELL is through the release of WELL beta features. Beta features introduce new, emerging or yet-to-be-addressed strategies into WELL, providing even more opportunities to maximize health and well-being in the spaces where we work, learn and live.

Read on to learn about the key components that define WELL beta features.

Structure and points

• All beta features are optimizations and include the essential structural elements and rules found within existing WELL v2 features, such as a number, name, intent, background and requirements.
• Any project with the appropriate space or occupant types may pursue a given beta feature.
• Points earned from a beta feature count towards the required two-point minimum (or one-point for WELL Core) and the 12-point maximum per WELL concept.
• All new beta features are released with the quarterly WELL addenda.

Importance of project feedback

Project insights are an essential component of the ongoing improvement of WELL. We truly value your input, which is why we are asking projects to provide an implementation feedback form for every beta feature pursued. This feedback supports IWBI in determining next steps for the standard, which may include:

• Continuing to keep the feature in beta to acquire additional project input
• Modifying the feature requirements to better support project implementation
• Evolving the feature out of beta and integrating it into the larger WELL v2 feature library

We look forward to working alongside our projects in shaping beta features to ensure they are best able to drive positive change in WELL buildings across the world.

Highlighting our first beta features

Our first two beta features can be found within the Sound and Community concepts. These new features were developed in close collaboration with WELL concept advisors, and were released with the Q3 2019 addenda.

S06β Impact Noise Management
This Sound beta feature is intended to provide an effective pathway for noise control in buildings by requiring projects to meet minimum Impact Insulation Class (IIC) or Normalized Impact Sound Rating (NISR) at floor-ceiling constructions. Typical impact noise derives from objects impacting a floor (e.g., footfall, machinery, gym equipment), often resulting in workplace distractions, sleep disturbance or disrupted focus.

By requiring projects to fulfill certain impact noise reduction criteria, this feature aims to significantly reduce overall noise levels and thus, foster more comfortable environments for living, working, learning and sleeping.

C17β Housing Equity
This Community beta feature is intended to promote housing equity by requiring projects to designate affordable housing units and reduce housing costs for low-income tenants. An estimated 235 million urban families around the world live in substandard housing—in the United States alone, there is a deficit of 7.2 million affordable housing units. Substandard housing exposes tenants to increased risk of poor health outcomes like asthma and infectious disease, while affordable housing shortages can lead to homelessness and residential instability, increased stress, morbidity and mental health issues.

By requiring projects to provide safe, healthy affordable housing, this feature aims to reduce health risks and improve the overall physical and mental health of low-income individuals and families. In addressing housing equity as a public health issue, WELL seeks to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to thrive.

Questions about beta features?

Registered projects can reach out for WELL coaching support via the support tab of their WELL digital platform account and all others can contact us here.