BRE and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) have released a new briefing paper that outlines how projects may achieve both a certified BREEAM rating and WELL Certification.
The updated crosswalk document, Assessing Health and Wellbeing in Buildings — Alignment between BREEAM and the WELL Building Standard, was developed as part of a commitment to continuous improvement by IWBI and BRE. Using industry feedback from professionals working to achieve joint certification of BREEAM and the WELL Building Standard (WELL), BRE and IWBI have worked together to compare performance requirements, harmonise evidence and identify opportunities to streamline the process of achieving dual certification.
Specific improvements and enhancements to the guidance document include instructions for projects that clarify how to use the crosswalk, minor amendments to the alignments and overlaps between the two standards, and a simplified labeling system. The new crosswalk also features notes and comments to clarify these alignments.
Additionally, the project types and schemes for both certification programs have expanded. Extra guidance is now included for Core & Shell projects targeting dual certification to ensure that all WELL project types — New and Existing Buildings, New and Existing Interiors and Core & Shell — have a clear roadmap forward. BREEAM schemes in the crosswalk include BREEAM New Construction UK and International, BREEAM Refurbishment & Fit Out, BREEAM-In-Use and now BREEAM USA-In-Use.
Alan Yates, Technical Director of BREEAM, commented: “We welcome this feedback from the early adopters of the Crosswalk. Since its development over 25 years ago health and wellbeing factors like air quality, lighting, ventilation and ecology have been a key part of the BREEAM standard. WELL introduces further complementary factors and post occupancy measurement. We look forward to working together to drive further progress in delivering a built environment that enhances the lives of people and the planet.”
Originally published in January 2017, the document demonstrates the significant synergies between the two methods and the efficiencies that exist between their assessment and certification processes. It highlights the BREEAM credits that can be used to demonstrate compliance with WELL features and, conversely, the WELL features that can be used to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM assessment issues.
This work forms a part of an ongoing collaboration between BRE and IWBI to work together to harmonise their approach to health and wellbeing in the built environment across their standards, research programmes and services generally.
BRE and IWBI will continue to work together to update this document as BREEAM and WELL are significantly updated or modified. This will include the launches of BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 and WELL v2.
