What is the WELL Skybridge?
The WELL Skybridge tools are tables that outline approved feature language substitutions between different versions of the WELL Building Standard. The tool is designed to help project teams evaluate versions of the WELL Building Standard and determine key similarities and differences across guidelines, features and concepts. It can be leveraged to assist projects in the following ways:
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Projects using WELL v1 or WELL v2 pilot can leverage approved feature language substitutions in place of the corresponding WELL v1 or WELL v2 pilot features.
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WELL v1 projects that are upgrading to WELL v2 pilot, or WELL v2 pilot projects that are upgrading to WELL v2 can utilize the tool to simplify the transition.
There are two WELL Skybridge tools available:
Who is WELL Skybridge for?
The WELL Skybridge tools are for any project team looking for approved feature language substitutions when transitioning projects between WELL v1 and the WELL v2 pilot or WELL v2 pilot and WELL v2.
Note: There is not a WELL Skybridge tool available for projects looking for approved feature language substitution between WELL v1 and WELL v2.
How to determine if WELL Skybridge is right for your project
First, evaluate where you are in the WELL Certification process and how much work you and your team have done to meet WELL v1 or the WELL v2 pilot requirements. WELL v2 pilot projects that have not yet submitted documentation are welcome to upgrade to WELL v2 for no additional cost. However, projects that have already submitted at least one round of documentation may be subject to additional review fees.
If your project is registered under WELL v1, explore the WELL v2 features to identify similarities between WELL v1 and WELL v2 features and determine if upgrading to WELL v2 would allow you to achieve your targeted certification level. If your project is registered under the WELL v2 pilot, use WELL v2 Skybridge to see the formalized alignment between the WELL v2 pilot and WELL v2 features and determine if upgrading to WELL v2 would allow you to achieve your targeted certification level.
Lastly, we recommend exploring WELL v2 pricing. Projects that upgrade to WELL v2 will follow the WELL v2 pricing structure for all subsequent fees. (Please note, any invoices that were already paid under WELL v1 or WELL v2 pilot will not be refunded or credited.) You can create a pricing quote here and compare it to your existing pricing estimate in your project dashboard in your WELL online account.
How does the WELL Skybridge tool work?
Here are some basic tips for using a WELL Skybridge tool:
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When using WELL Skybridge tool substitutions, projects are required to use a complete substitution of feature or part language and performance verification methods unless otherwise noted in the tool.
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The project team must indicate in their preliminary documentation submission in WELL online if they are using the tool and which features or parts they are using the tool for.
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The substitutions do not impact whether a feature is an optimization or precondition in the WELL version that a project is certifying under. Substitutions only affect the requirements and verification methods.
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A full set of guidelines is located in the introductory section of each WELL Skybridge tool.
Why is it important?
With a WELL Skybridge tool in hand, project teams can easily reference the new language in a different version of the WELL Building Standard and use it as a guide to help transition or upgrade between versions.
How much does it cost to use WELL Skybridge?
There are no additional costs associated with using a WELL Skybridge tool. The project team must simply indicate in their preliminary documentation submission in WELL online if they are using the tool and which features and/or parts they are using the tool for.