CERTIFICATION
WELL Core
A distinct pathway for core and shell buildings (also known as base buildings) seeking to implement fundamental features to benefit tenants.
WELL Core Certification is a distinct pathway of achievement for core and shell buildings seeking to implement fundamental features in the base building for the benefit of tenants/residents. All building types can register for WELL Core provided that at least 75% of the project area is occupied by one or more tenants/residents and/or serves as common space in the building accessible to all tenants/residents. Note that offices affiliated with the project owner but unrelated to the management of the project property may be considered a tenant so long as additional tenants unaffiliated with the project owner occupy at least 60% of the gross floor area.
Residential buildings must meet one of the additional requirements to able to register for WELL Core:
There is minimal fit-out of the dwelling units, defined as meeting at least two of the following:
- Developer does not install kitchen cabinets.
- Developer does not install stoves/ranges, ovens, or refrigerators.
- Developer does not install showers/baths, toilets, or sinks in the bathroom or kitchen.
- Developer does not install HVAC terminals.
- Project is unable to provide access to dwelling units for performance testing. Projects must submit evidence attesting to why they are unable to test in dwelling units (for instance, dwelling units are already occupied).
Mixed-use buildings where WELL Core is appropriate for at least 60% of the gross floor area may register the entire building for WELL Core. Areas operated/occupied by the project owner are considered “non-leased space” (see Scope and Applicability below). Mixed-use buildings where WELL Core is appropriate for less than 60% of the gross floor area should register one or more portions of the building as individual projects for WELL Certification or WELL Core Certification, as appropriate.
Scope
At least 2.5% of the total building floor area must be available for performance testing. The available testing area must include all common areas and spaces directly under the control of the building management team. If common areas and spaces under owner control comprise less than 2.5% of total building floor area, the project must supplement with tenant spaces to reach this threshold. Testing in leased spaces in these cases can take place before or after tenant occupancy.
Some performance-based optimizations explicitly state that they require testing in tenant spaces in order to be awarded. The project is responsible for identifying and communicating to GBCI and the WELL Performance Testing Agent the particular spaces which are available for testing.
Applicability
WELL Core requires, at minimum, achievement of certain features directed at common areas and spaces under owner control. Some features must be achieved for the entire building in order for the WELL Core project to receive credit. WELL Core projects may earn additional points for achieving those same features for tenants/residents, whether by directly offering benefits to tenants or sizing for tenant capacity. Further guidance on applicability and additional point-earning potential for WELL Core is provided in Appendix Core and Multifamily Residential.
Some features allow WELL Core projects to earn points for applying the feature outside of the leased space and earn an additional point for achieving the requirements for their tenants. Further guidance on applicability and additional point-earning potential for WELL Core is provided in the digital standard. To view this guidance, be sure to select the “WELL Core” view in the digital standard.
Download the Core and Multifamily Residential Appendix
Certification Levels
WELL Core projects must achieve all preconditions as well as a certain number of points to earn different levels of certification:
- WELL Core Bronze Certification: 40 points.
- WELL Core Silver Certification: 50 points.
- WELL Core Gold Certification: 60 points.
- WELL Core Platinum Certification: 80 points.
For WELL Core Certification, projects must earn a minimum of one point per concept. Projects may earn no more than 12 points per concept.
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