WELL Certification – A Guarantee Of Wellbeing

We spend on average more than 90% of our time indoors—be it at home, at the office or at any other type of workplace—so it is important to consider the impact that buildings have on our health and well-being. Architecture must accord respect to the environment, but also to people by promoting their physical and emotional well-being. WELL certification focuses precisely on proving that its impact on people is positive.

WELL certification is a sustainable construction and design standard that focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. This is the only international certification that addresses a key concern that was not being met, namely, turning spaces into environments that promote health.

The other sustainable standards to be found in the market take account of the construction process of a property and its impact on the environment, but fail to consider the impact on building occupants. WELL certification acts on the well-being and health of occupants by integrating a number of measures based on scientific evidence. There are over 100 specific measures focusing on people’s health, such as improving indoor air quality, lighting and acoustic comfort, and many other factors that directly and indirectly impact on the improvement of people’s health and productivity.

This certification scheme was established in 2014 in the US and first implemented in Spain in 2017, mainly as regards office buildings. In light of the fact that the residential and office segments have the greatest impact on our health, WELL certification is most widespread on those two segments. However, very few residential schemes are WELL-certified in Spain.

The Perks Of A WELL-Certified Home

WELL-certified homes are properties that contribute to improving the health, comfort, and mood of their residents via the inclusion of various strategies, programmes, and technologies.

Residing in a WELL-certified home can benefit the occupant in many ways. Firstly, a WELL-certified property is a healthy and safe home. This means that it has been designed and built so as to promote the health and well-being of its occupants. For example, it may be equipped with adequate ventilation and air filtration systems to reduce the risk of respiratory diseases, and may also feature construction materials and finishes that do not release toxic substances.

Another perk of living in a WELL-certified home is that it can help improve the quality of sleep and rest. For example, the property may be equipped with light-blocking blinds and shutters to create a dim, relaxing environment. In addition, it may guarantee comfortable indoor temperature and adequate humidity levels to ensure a good night’s sleep.

In addition, a WELL-certified home can also improve air and water quality. It is highly likely that the property is fitted with water filtration systems to remove impurities and pollutants, and waste water treatment systems to reuse the water used for washing and scouring.

Finally, living in a WELL-certified home can also generally improve the quality of life for its occupants thanks to the outdoor spaces to enjoy fresh air and natural light, or to the facilities intended for exercise and to promote an active lifestyle.

The advantages of a WELL residential scheme go well beyond occupants. They also affect the developer or potential investors. A WELL-certified project can help increase the value of the asset and reduce operating costs in the long term.

Health And Well-Being – The Key Pillars Of Sphere Sotogrande’s Residences

Sphere Sotogrande is an innovative project in many respects, among which its unwavering pursuit of comfort and well-being for its residents. Proof of this is the fact that the scheme will be assessed against the WELL Building Standard TM™ in the area of residential projects, and aims to earn a WELL Gold rating.

Sphere seeks to positively impact the health of its residents by promoting healthy nutrition and an active lifestyle, and by implementing measures aimed at achieving superior lighting, water, and air quality, and ensuring outstanding acoustic properties. Sounds pretty good, right?

An abundance of natural light inside the homes is the common feature across the project. For its part, artificial lighting is aligned with the circadian rhythm, directly influencing the physical and mental health of residents. Furthermore, the use of home automation and sensors, which can be individually adjusted, will create unique experiences.

Indoor air quality is another of Sphere Sotogrande’s top priority for creating a healthy and comfortable environment. In addition to benefitting from advanced indoor air filtration systems, residents will be able to check in real time the ambient conditions in their homes and in the common spaces.

Sphere Sotogrande will further implement drinking water treatment systems to ensure the cleanness and appealingness of water, and avoid the intake of harmful substances.

We will take account of any aspects that can negatively impact health and will act upon them. That is why Sphere will have protective barriers against disease agents in place, and will further ensure that common spaces are smoke-free. In addition, it will promote healthy lifestyles by providing information of interest to users and creating facilities that foster active living.