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WELL vs. LEED vs. BREEAM: Key Differences and Focus Areas
Xander van Baarsen
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WELL Certification, LEED Certification, and BREEAM are three prominent frameworks in the sustainable and healthy building movement, but they focus on different aspects of building design and operations.
1. Overview of WELL Certification
WELL Certification, developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), focuses on promoting the health and well-being of building occupants. It evaluates how building features affect human health through air quality, water quality, lighting, comfort, and more.
- Core focus areas: Air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.
- Goal: Create environments that improve physical and mental health.
- Applicability: Ideal for businesses prioritizing occupant well-being, such as offices, healthcare, and educational institutions.
2. Overview of LEED Certification
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), focuses on sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of buildings. LEED evaluates energy efficiency, resource use, and sustainable building practices.
- Core focus areas: Sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priority.
- Goal: Reduce a building's carbon footprint and environmental impact.
- Applicability: Broadly applied to all building types, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
3. Overview of BREEAM
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), developed in the UK by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), is one of the world's leading sustainability assessment methods for buildings and infrastructure. It focuses on environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
- Core focus areas: Energy, health and well-being, innovation, land use, materials, management, pollution, transport, waste, and water.
- Goal: Promote environmental responsibility and reduce operational impacts.
- Applicability: Widely used in Europe and internationally for new construction, renovations, and in-use buildings.
4. Key Differences
| Aspect | WELL Certification | LEED Certification | BREEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Health and well-being of occupants | Sustainability and environmental performance | Comprehensive sustainability framework |
| Measurement Areas | Human-centric: air, water, light, mental health | Environmental-centric: energy, water, materials | Broad: energy, waste, materials, health |
| Certification Levels | Silver, Gold, Platinum | Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum | Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding |
| Core Audience | People-oriented industries (health, offices) | Environmentally conscious developers | Developers, property managers, urban planners |
| Operational Focus | Building performance impacting health | Lifecycle impact on the planet | Global environmental and operational standards |
5. Synergies Between WELL, LEED, and BREEAM
These certifications can complement each other. For example:
- Overlap: All address aspects like air quality, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials.
- Combined impact: A building certified under WELL, LEED, and BREEAM achieves a holistic approach to sustainability and occupant well-being.
6. Which Certification Should You Pursue?
- Choose WELL if: Your priority is improving employee well-being, tenant satisfaction, and creating a healthier workplace.
- Choose LEED if: Your focus is on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.
- Choose BREEAM if: You want a comprehensive sustainability framework that addresses environmental, social, and economic factors.
Many forward-thinking organizations pursue multiple certifications to maximize building performance across environmental and human-centric metrics. Contact Rhino to learn how our remote monitoring solutions can streamline sustainability and wellness goals while achieving compliance with certifications like WELL, LEED, and BREEAM.
Ready to create healthier, greener spaces? Contact Rhino’s sales team today!
