A Study on the Architectural Characteristics and Improvements of WELL Certified Residential Buildings

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify architectural characteristics of WELL certified residential buildings and provide future suggestions. The research methodology involved conducting in-depth case studies on six WELL certified residential buildings. To conduct these case studies, a framework was established by reviewing resources provided by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Major findings of this study are as follows: First, WELL certification deal with not only physical health but also mental well-being of occupants. It encourages to adopt biophilic design and provides various indoor and outdoor amenities to support occupant health. Second, WELL certification provides qualitative standards considering the relationship between spatial design and occupants’ health, including the categories of air, water, and light. However, there are some limitations that need to be addressed for future applications. First, it is necessary to categorize standards based on the function of residential buildings and provide more specific standards for each building type. Additionally, it is suggested that WELL need to provide the ways that existing buildings can be certified, as the certification currently only applies to new buildings. Lastly, post-occupancy evaluations should be conducted to examine how WELL certification affects occupants’ health.