Transforming Homes for Health: IWBI's WELL for Residential Program Revolutionizes Living Spaces Worldwide
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and ARCHETYPE Investments jointly announced today that ARCHETYPE Investments, a Charlotte, NC-based investment and development company specializing in retail and multifamily properties, has embraced IWBI's WELL for residential program as an early adopter. This program, now open for enrollment, is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reshaping the design, construction, and maintenance of homes to prioritize human health and well-being. Specifically, ARCHETYPE Investments will integrate WELL strategies into the renovation of its Continuum 115 Apartments to foster positive impacts on the health of residents.
The WELL for residential program is unprecedented, being an evidence-based, third-party verified certification initiative that seeks to revolutionize the approach to home development. Rooted in the scientifically supported principles of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and its 10 core concepts, the program encompasses over 100 health strategies applicable to both new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings. In its initial phase, IWBI collaborates with industry leaders, including ARCHETYPE Investments, encompassing architects, builders, developers, operators, and owners, to drive global transformation in the residential market, making healthier and more resilient homes accessible to a broader audience.
“By integrating evidence-based WELL for residential standard into our already health and wellness focused strategies at Continuum 115 Apartments, we give residents an elevated sense of confidence that their inspiring and WELLIFIZE-technology-enabled homes are made even more healthy and resilient for them to enjoy,” said Jaykant Patel, ARCHETYPE founder and managing principal.
“The WELL for residential program takes a holistic approach to address health and wellbeing in the home environment,” said Liz Miles, vice president for stakeholder relations at IWBI.
“We applaud ARCHETYPE, the first developer to introduce the WELL for residential program in North Carolina, for leading the charge to elevate best practices in the residential sector.”
The development of the WELL for residential program was shaped by two years of industry collaboration, market insights, and expert recommendations from IWBI’s WELL for residential advisory. This advisory consists of over 100 globally recognized subject matter experts, including leading builders, developers, architects, engineers, public health and building scientists, government officials, academics, and other real estate professionals. Companies seeking the WELL Residence seal for their residences undergo third-party review and verification of selected strategies. To earn certification, a home must attain a minimum of 40 points. Projects also have the opportunity to gain pre-certified WELL Residence status for participating units through preliminary design review, allowing them to communicate their achievement before construction is completed.
In the United States alone, the residential sector comprises more than 120 million homes, totaling approximately 224 billion square feet of real estate. The focus on creating healthier residential environments has become a priority for homeowners.
The WELL for residential program expands the WELL ecosystem, offering a fresh approach to creating people-centric residences. Building on IWBI's previous work in the multifamily sector through WELL Certification and WELL ratings, the program acknowledges and commends the leadership demonstrated by multifamily residential developers and owners who have pursued WELL Certification. Their experiences have played a crucial role in informing and inspiring the development of the new WELL for residential program.
While studies indicate an increasing demand for healthy homes, regulations and standards centered on resident health in homes are largely insufficient. The WELL for residential program aims to address this gap by transforming the global residential market, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to a home that promotes health and facilitates healthier decisions.
The WELL ecosystem encompasses various components, including WELL Certification under the WELL Building Standard, a library of building and organizational strategies focused on health, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Performance Rating, WELL Equity Rating, and certification under the WELL Community Standard. This holistic and evidence-based approach has provided organizations with a roadmap to enhance human and social capital performance and integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies. Consequently, thousands of organizations, including nearly 30% of Fortune 500 companies across almost 130 countries, have adopted WELL strategies, covering almost five billion square feet of space in more than 40,000 locations.
The WELL for residential program is unprecedented, being an evidence-based, third-party verified certification initiative that seeks to revolutionize the approach to home development. Rooted in the scientifically supported principles of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and its 10 core concepts, the program encompasses over 100 health strategies applicable to both new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings. In its initial phase, IWBI collaborates with industry leaders, including ARCHETYPE Investments, encompassing architects, builders, developers, operators, and owners, to drive global transformation in the residential market, making healthier and more resilient homes accessible to a broader audience.
“By integrating evidence-based WELL for residential standard into our already health and wellness focused strategies at Continuum 115 Apartments, we give residents an elevated sense of confidence that their inspiring and WELLIFIZE-technology-enabled homes are made even more healthy and resilient for them to enjoy,” said Jaykant Patel, ARCHETYPE founder and managing principal.
“The WELL for residential program takes a holistic approach to address health and wellbeing in the home environment,” said Liz Miles, vice president for stakeholder relations at IWBI.
“We applaud ARCHETYPE, the first developer to introduce the WELL for residential program in North Carolina, for leading the charge to elevate best practices in the residential sector.”
The development of the WELL for residential program was shaped by two years of industry collaboration, market insights, and expert recommendations from IWBI’s WELL for residential advisory. This advisory consists of over 100 globally recognized subject matter experts, including leading builders, developers, architects, engineers, public health and building scientists, government officials, academics, and other real estate professionals. Companies seeking the WELL Residence seal for their residences undergo third-party review and verification of selected strategies. To earn certification, a home must attain a minimum of 40 points. Projects also have the opportunity to gain pre-certified WELL Residence status for participating units through preliminary design review, allowing them to communicate their achievement before construction is completed.
In the United States alone, the residential sector comprises more than 120 million homes, totaling approximately 224 billion square feet of real estate. The focus on creating healthier residential environments has become a priority for homeowners.
The WELL for residential program expands the WELL ecosystem, offering a fresh approach to creating people-centric residences. Building on IWBI's previous work in the multifamily sector through WELL Certification and WELL ratings, the program acknowledges and commends the leadership demonstrated by multifamily residential developers and owners who have pursued WELL Certification. Their experiences have played a crucial role in informing and inspiring the development of the new WELL for residential program.
While studies indicate an increasing demand for healthy homes, regulations and standards centered on resident health in homes are largely insufficient. The WELL for residential program aims to address this gap by transforming the global residential market, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to a home that promotes health and facilitates healthier decisions.
The WELL ecosystem encompasses various components, including WELL Certification under the WELL Building Standard, a library of building and organizational strategies focused on health, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Performance Rating, WELL Equity Rating, and certification under the WELL Community Standard. This holistic and evidence-based approach has provided organizations with a roadmap to enhance human and social capital performance and integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies. Consequently, thousands of organizations, including nearly 30% of Fortune 500 companies across almost 130 countries, have adopted WELL strategies, covering almost five billion square feet of space in more than 40,000 locations.
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