What are Innovation features?
WELL Innovation features address a novel concept or strategy that is not already included in WELL features. These features embrace new approaches to promoting the creation of healthier spaces that go beyond the current features in WELL.
Who are Innovations for?
Any project registered under WELL v2, WELL v2 pilot, WELL v1, a WELL Rating or the WELL Community Standard is eligible to pursue Innovation features.
WELL Certification and WELL Community projects may earn up to 10 points in the Innovation category, while WELL Rating projects may earn up to 5 points.
How can I use an Innovation feature for my project?
Projects may submit an Innovation feature proposal for review or pursue Innovation strategies that are pre-approved by IWBI.
A submitted Innovation feature proposal must include:
- A narrative describing the details of the proposal
- All supporting documentation and research
- Innovation features are not included among your project's total optimizations (TO), though achieving them will increase Optimizations Achieved (OA). For example, if you've achieved 20 optimization features out of a total of 34 applicable optimizations, and have achieved 3 Innovation features, your total score would be 23 of 34.
Use a pre-approved Innovation feature
IWBI has published various pre-approved Innovation pathways for projects pursuing WELL v1, WELL v2 pilot and WELL v2.
- WELL v1: Pre-approved Innovation features are posted as AAPs for all five Innovation features.
- WELL v2 pilot and WELL v2: Pre-approved strategies are represented in the following features:
Project teams can earn up to five Innovation features for their WELL project. To be awarded an Innovation point, the project’s proposal must include:
- An explanation of the health concern addressed
- A description of how the proposed strategy intends to impact human health
- Scientific, medical and industry research supporting the strategy
Each Innovation submission is analyzed based on the strength of the proposal and supporting documentation. Project teams that include a WELL AP can receive Innovation points as well.
Utilize the WELL Skybridge tool
Table 2 of the WELL v1 to WELL v2 pilot Skybridge tool includes a list of approved WELL v2 pilot features and parts that projects under WELL v1 can pursue to earn up to ten points in Innovation.
Projects will achieve one WELL v1 Innovation feature for meeting the WELL v2 features and/or parts indicated in the table. Any project registered for WELL v1 can use this table as a guide for WELL v2 pilot features and feature parts that count toward points earned under Innovation features.
Note: Project teams must indicate if they used the WELL Skybridge tool as part of their documentation in WELL online during the preliminary documentation review, as well as document the affected features and feature parts.
Why are Innovation features important?
Innovation features encourage project teams to be industry leaders of the healthy buildings movement. As more projects achieve WELL Certification, innovative strategies help deepen our understanding of the evolving body of evidence surrounding the impact of buildings and communities on human health and well-being.
How much does it cost to use an Innovation feature?
There are no additional costs associated with pursuing Innovation features.