The WELL Standard was created to work for new construction or existing buildings. For existing buildings not undergoing major renovation, this article will provide some best practices for feature selection across WELL concepts, as well as how to meet required feature verification methods.

What features are applicable to existing buildings?

The WELL Building Standard v2 has more than 120 features, with over 200 available points (note points per project are capped at 110 optimization points). This holistic library of features provides options for all project types - new construction, major renovation or existing buildings - with the aim for each project type to select the features most applicable to their project type. 

Each concept has been designed to provide enough options for existing buildings to pursue WELL Certification. There are features that may be more appropriate for new construction projects and more challenging for existing buildings. However, there are also features or feature parts written specifically for existing buildings.

Feature options for existing buildings 

To achieve a specific feature or feature part, there may be multiple options to choose from. Often, one or more of these options are more appropriate for existing buildings. For example, in the Air concept, feature A03 Ventilation Design requires projects to verify that their building meets ventilation codes. A03 Option 4 provides a performance-based pathway, which allows projects to verify the efficiency of existing ventilation systems by monitoring CO2 levels. This option caters to projects that do not have the required design documentation. 

Another example is A04 Construction Pollution Management, a Precondition that is specific to construction. For projects that have not undergone construction, teams should select Option 2 that indicates that no construction activity has taken place. 

Further features that have options specifically applicable to existing buildings are listed below:

• S03 Part 2, Option 1 or Option 2
• S04.1 Option 2 
• S07.2
• T01.1 Option 3
• A06.1 Option 4

Letters of Assurance

Some WELL features require a Letter of Assurance (LOA) for their verification method, which references a person that is likely best suited to sign off on the feature requirements. Features may require LOAs for owners, designers, engineers and/or contractors. 

Existing projects that do not undergo renovation may not have a designer, engineer or contractor who can sign off on the LOA. In this case, it is possible for existing building projects to choose an alternative person to sign the LOA. For example, a facility manager could review feature requirements addressed to designers and engineers and sign the LOA, such as W08 Bathroom Accommodation or A07.1 Provide Operable Windows. Some features could be verified by the WELL AP. It is up to the project team to identify who is best placed to review the existing building conditions against feature requirements and sign the LOA.

The LOA form notes the following option: If the individual using this form is not in the role of (Owner, MEP, architect, etc.) provide a description of the individual's project role, including justification of their ability to sign off on the above requirements, here. Be sure to add sufficient detail in the statement for the review team. 

Technical documents and professional narratives

Some features require technical documents or professional narratives. For newly designed buildings, these technical documents are likely being created as part of the design process. Existing buildings that do not have access to the design information can retrospectively create these technical documents for the project. Depending on the feature, this can be done by an existing team member (such as WELL AP or Facility Management) or might require hiring a professional expert to verify the technical aspects of the feature and create the technical documentation. Let’s look at some examples.

Feature L02 Option 1 Visual Lighting Design

This feature requires a technical document that outlines which lighting standard the space follows and which target values are set for each area. The aim of the technical document is to set target values for the Performance Testing Agent during Performance Verification. Project teams can retrospectively choose the appropriate local design guideline, review the required lighting levels for the applicable space types within the project and create the technical document to identify which space types need to meet which lighting levels during Performance Verification.

W03.2 Implement Legionella Management Plan

The Facility Management team of an existing building is likely very familiar with the water system in the building and can retrospectively create and implement an legionella management plan as per the feature requirements.

S01.1 Sound Mapping - Label Acoustic Zones

This is an example where the WELL AP or Facility Management can create the technical document. The document does not necessarily need to be completed by an architect or acoustician. The technical document can be a simple as-built drawing showing different acoustic zones within the space. 

C02.1 Integrative Design

This may seem like a design based feature at first glance. However, this feature can be easily followed by existing buildings. The aim of this feature is to discuss WELL strategies for the project, irrespective of the building undergoing design or renovation. For existing buildings not undergoing renovation and not engaging a design team, the Stakeholder Charette would include the owner and facility management as well as employees and other occupants, and discuss the health and wellbeing goals as described in the feature language. 

For other features, such as L07.1 Balance Visual Light and S01.2 Provide Acoustic Design Plan, we recommend that projects engage a professional to create the required technical documentation. 

Materials Concept features

The Materials concept has the most construction or renovation related features within the WELL Building Standard. Let’s look at how to approach these features for buildings that are not undergoing renovation nor installing any new products within the project boundary.

Feature X01 is a specific requirement for projects that install new products, defined as building materials and products installed after project registration. If no new products are being installed in the project, simply upload a narrative confirming this and the Precondition will be met.

For X02 Interior Hazardous Materials Management, the first step existing projects can take is to determine which option is applicable to each feature part, by following these steps:

The approach for X03 CAA and Lead Management is similar to above. Follow the below steps to identify which option is applicable:

For optimizations, the following optimizations are applicable for projects that are not using any new materials:

• X06.2 part d
• X09 Waste Management
• X10 Pest Management and Pesticide Use
• X11 Cleaning Products and Protocols
• X12β - Contact Reduction

The WELL Building Standard v2 provides many options towards certification for existing buildings. In addition to the pathways described above, you may also propose Alternative Adherence Paths as appropriate.