WELL Air
The WELL Building Standard was developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI a California-registered public benefit corporation) in 2013 and is now a globally recognised standard. It overarchingly aims to create environments that support the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of their occupants.
WELL Air aims to achieve high levels of indoor air quality across a building’s lifetime through diverse strategies including:
- source elimination or reduction.
- active and passive building design and operation strategies
- human behaviour interventions.
- People spend approximately 90% of their time in enclosed spaces where exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to negative of health and wellbeing outcomes.
- Severe outcomes include asthma attacks, infection with Legionella bacteria, cancers, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Indoor air pollutants include combustion sources leading to CO, NO2 and particulates
- Building materials, furnishings, fabrics, cleaning products, hygiene products and air fresheners can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs).
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.