Fitwel Certification

Healthier Buildings, Greater Value

Fitwel is a globally recognized certification that prioritizes well-being and occupant health in the built environment. For developers, property owners, and managers, Fitwel offers a transformative approach to creating healthier, more productive environments while driving both environmental and financial performance.

What is Fitwel?

Fitwel is a globally recognized building certification system designed to optimize buildings for health, well-being, and sustainability. Originally developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA), it provides a science-backed approach to improving indoor environments through better design and operational strategies.

Unlike other green building certifications, Fitwel is cost-effective, flexible, and adaptable to both new and existing commercial spaces. It is widely used in office fit-outs, residential and retail developments, and mixed-use buildings, ensuring healthier workplaces while aligning with ESG goals and sustainability initiatives.

Benefits of Fitwel

🏢 Healthier Work Environments

Fitwel-certified spaces prioritize occupant well-being by integrating better air quality, daylight access, biophilic design, ergonomic furniture, and noise control. These enhancements create healthier workplaces that boost employee satisfaction, cognitive function, and productivity.

💼 ESG & Future-Proofing

As businesses face increasing pressure to improve Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, Fitwel helps meet corporate sustainability goals by embedding energy efficiency, wellness, and carbon footprint reduction into building operations.

📈 Competitive Advantage in Real Estate

Tenants are now actively seeking Fitwel-certified buildings as part of their workplace wellness and sustainability initiatives. Buildings with Fitwel certification experience higher tenant retention, increased demand, and improved rental values, giving property owners and landlords a market-leading edge.

⚡️ Improved Productivity & Reduced Absenteeism

Studies show that well-designed workplaces can lead to a boost in employee productivity, a reduction in stress levels, and fewer sick days. Fitwel-certified offices foster a healthier workforce while driving business performance.

🌍 Cost-Effective & Scalable

Unlike other certification systems, Fitwel is designed for gradual improvements - allowing businesses to integrate changes over time rather than making costly upfront investments. It is a flexible and accessible pathway to creating a more sustainable, wellness-focused workspace.

How Fitwel Works: The Certification Process

Welscape provides a streamlined approach to Fitwel certification, ensuring your project meets leading industry standards while aligning with your budget and ESG objectives.

How is Fitwel Certification scored?

Fitwel uses a three-star rating system to assess how well a building supports health, well-being, and sustainability. Each project is evaluated using a specific scorecard based on its building type, ensuring a tailored approach to occupant wellness and ESG compliance.

Meets baseline wellness standards, showing a commitment to health-focused improvements. Occupants benefit from enhanced air quality, access to natural light, and improved workplace policies.

Demonstrates significant progress in occupant well-being, sustainability, and workplace health initiatives. Employees and tenants experience a more active, comfortable, and health-conscious environment with improved indoor environmental quality and access to fitness and nutrition-focused amenities.

The highest level, awarded to buildings that exceed best practices and fully integrate Fitwel’s principles into their design and operations. Occupants enjoy a high-performance, wellness-focused workspace with optimal air and lighting quality, stress-reducing environments, and strong safety and well-being initiatives.

Key strategies to consider:

✔ Air Quality & Ventilation – Upgrading HVAC systems, adding air purification technology, and increasing natural ventilation to improve indoor air quality.

✔ Lighting Optimization – Enhancing daylight exposure, installing circadian-friendly LED lighting, and reducing glare to create a healthier work environment.

✔ Biophilic & Green Design – Incorporating indoor plants, green walls, and outdoor terraces to improve mental well-being and productivity.

✔ Encouraging Active Lifestyles – Improving staircase accessibility, adding fitness areas, or implementing walking and cycling infrastructure to promote movement.

✔ Noise Reduction & Acoustics – Installing sound-absorbing materials to minimize distractions and enhance focus in open-plan offices.

✔ Workplace Policy Adjustments – Introducing mental health initiatives, flexible workspaces, and stress reduction programs to support employees.

Step 1: Feasibility Assessment

The first step in obtaining Fitwel certification is understanding how your building or office currently aligns with Fitwel’s wellness criteria. We will:

• Conduct an initial site review to evaluate existing air quality, lighting, accessibility, noise levels, and building layout.

• Analyze policies and operational strategies related to employee health, workplace design, and sustainability initiatives.

• Identify gaps and opportunities where improvements can be made to meet Fitwel certification requirements.

Once this assessment is complete, we provide a tailored action plan outlining the most effective ways to enhance occupant well-being and sustainability performance.

Step 2: Implementation Strategy

After identifying key areas for improvement, we work with you to implement Fitwel-aligned design and operational enhancements. These upgrades can be made incrementally or as part of a larger fit-out project, depending on your needs and budget.

Our team ensures that every intervention aligns with Fitwel’s wellness objectives, helping you create a space that enhances health, productivity, and sustainability.

Step 3: Certification Submission 

Once all necessary improvements have been implemented, we handle the certification submission process on your behalf. This includes:

  • Collating all required documentation on building features, operational policies, and wellness initiatives.

  • Preparing the official Fitwel scorecard, detailing how your space meets the certification’s requirements.

  • Submitting the application to the Center for Active Design (CfAD), the official Fitwel governing body.

  • Liaising with Fitwel reviewers to ensure a smooth and efficient approval process.

Step 4: Post-Certification Support

Fitwel certification is valid for three years, meaning businesses must stay proactive in maintaining wellness and sustainability standards. At Welscape, we offer post-certification support to help you:

  • Monitor building performance and adjust operational strategies based on occupant feedback and environmental conditions.

  • Prepare for recertification, ensuring your space continues to meet Fitwel’s evolving guidelines.

  • Implement further improvements to keep your workplace at the forefront of sustainable, health-focused design.

At Welscape, we help businesses achieve higher Fitwel ratings through strategic wellness and sustainability enhancements, ensuring healthier workspaces and stronger ESG performance.

Contact us.

hello@welscape.co.uk
+447542341750

George Michael Kakas
Director @Welscape

Fitwel FAQs

  • Fitwel is a globally recognized certification designed to enhance health and well-being in the built environment by implementing evidence-based operational strategies that improve the lives of occupants.

    Developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA), Fitwel provides a roadmap for optimizing building design and workplace policies to promote occupant health, increase productivity, and support healthier workplaces.

    Unlike other building certification systems, Fitwel is designed to be cost-effective, flexible, and applicable to a variety of buildings, including offices, residential developments, and healthcare facilities.

  • Fitwel certification is awarded in three levels—1, 2, or 3 stars—based on how well a project integrates key health and well-being strategies into the built environment.

    The more operational strategies a building implements to support occupant health and environmental efficiency, the higher the certification level.

    Projects are scored across categories such as air quality, access to nature, building design, and workplace wellness policies, with higher star ratings signifying a deeper commitment to healthier workplaces.

  • Fitwel helps organizations create healthier workplaces by improving building design, workplace policies, and operational strategies that enhance occupant well-being.

    The certification is used by developers, building owners, and corporate tenants to increase tenant retention, employee productivity, and environmental efficiency.

    By focusing on practical improvements—such as enhanced ventilation, increased access to natural light, and promoting physical activity—Fitwel-certified spaces are more attractive to tenants, provide a competitive edge in the real estate market, and support long-term sustainability goals.

  • Unlike some building certification systems that require major structural changes, Fitwel allows for gradual improvements through a mix of design upgrades and policy-based interventions.

    This means organizations can remediate or improve their buildings by implementing small but impactful changes, such as improving indoor air quality, increasing green spaces, optimizing lighting systems, or introducing health-focused workplace policies.

    Fitwel provides a scoring system where buildings can earn additional points over time, making it easy to adopt environmental efficiency strategies at a manageable pace.

  • Yes, Fitwel is highly beneficial for building owners, developers, and tenants looking to enhance occupant well-being, improve workplace health, and align with modern ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies.

    Studies show that healthier workplaces lead to higher employee productivity, reduced absenteeism, and increased tenant retention. Additionally, Fitwel-certified buildings tend to have higher asset value, attract premium tenants, and stand out in a competitive real estate market.

    With growing demand for sustainable and health-focused spaces, investing in Fitwel certification can provide a strong return on investment (ROI) while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

  • Fitwel and WELL are both building certification systems focused on health and well-being, but they differ in approach, flexibility, and verification.

    Fitwel, developed by the CDC and GSA, is a cost-effective, flexible certification that promotes occupant health, productivity, and well-being through practical, research-backed strategies. It uses a points-based system with one, two, or three-star ratings and does not require on-site testing or recertification, making it easier to implement.

    WELL, by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), is a more rigorous, performance-based standard that requires on-site testing, air and water quality monitoring, and recertification every three years. It covers 10 key areas, including air, water, movement, and mental well-being, demanding a higher level of investment and verification.

    Fitwel is simpler and more affordable, while WELL is more comprehensive and data-driven. The best choice depends on project goals, budget, and level of commitment to workplace well-being.

  • While both Fitwel and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are building certification systems, they focus on different aspects of sustainability.

    Fitwel prioritizes health and well-being in the built environment, ensuring that spaces support occupant health, productivity, and mental well-being through building design and operational strategies. In contrast, LEED focuses more on environmental efficiency, measuring factors like energy performance, carbon footprint reduction, and water conservation.

    Many buildings pursue both certifications to achieve a comprehensive approach to sustainability and occupant well-being.

  • The Fitwel score is a numerical rating assigned to a building based on how well it meets the certification’s health and wellness criteria.

    The score reflects a project’s success in implementing key occupant well-being strategies across categories such as air quality, fitness access, mental health support, and sustainability.

    The more Fitwel strategies a building adopts, the higher the score and the better the certification level (1, 2, or 3 stars).

    Unlike other certifications that rely on one-time assessments, Fitwel’s scoring system encourages continuous improvement and ongoing operational strategies to enhance building performance over time.

  • Fitwel is an effective and cost-efficient way to enhance health and well-being in the built environment, making it an attractive choice for commercial real estate owners, tenants, and developers.

    Unlike other certifications that focus solely on environmental efficiency, Fitwel takes a human-centered approach, ensuring that occupants benefit directly from the space they work or live in.

    By integrating proven design strategies and operational policies, Fitwel-certified buildings promote tenant retention, improved employee productivity, and higher asset value, making them highly desirable in today’s competitive real estate market.