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WELL Building Standards aim for healthier, happier, more productive workers, residents and students

Robin Seidman | June 3, 2025

By Ken Osmun, PE, DBIA®, CM-Lean, LEED AP® BD+C, WELL AP 

For many years, building “green” has been at the forefront of construction, as savvy builders, designers and developers seek to construct and operate buildings that address environmental impact and conserve natural resources.

More recently, an additional focus has emerged: the impact those structures have on the people who build and use them.

That’s where WELL comes in. In comparison to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards that address sustainability, WELL Building Standards promote the health, productivity and well-being of those in and around built spaces.

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) launched WELL standards in 2014, and their use in construction has expanded rapidly. In February 2024, the IWBI announced that the standard was integrated in buildings totaling 5 billion square feet across 130 countries. Just a year later, those numbers have grown to 6 billion square feet across 137 countries.

When we at LeChase became aware of WELL’s emerging prominence, I completed the steps required to become a WELL Accredited Professional. While my considerable experience in sustainable and LEED building had already advanced my understanding of a project’s impacts on sustainability, I researched and studied for six months to further master the WELL mission of creating beneficial impacts on those who live, work or study in a building.

Of course, LEED and WELL efforts can overlap. For example, incorporating natural light addresses sustainability by reducing energy use in a building, and it also enhances the environment – promoting the well-being of occupants.

In all, WELL Certification is based on 102 criteria across seven assets and attributes of a building and its services – air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. They cover everything from high levels of air and water quality to distraction-free and soothing environments, to lighting that does not disrupt circadian rhythms – a body’s natural 24-cycle of physical, mental and behavioral changes.

Recently, LeChase completed its first project seeking WELL certification, the Murray-Massenburg Elementary School in Durham, N.C. The school was designed by EVOKE Studio Architecture, which has applied for WELL Gold – a step next to the highest-possible certification level.

EVOKE designed the 800-student school to embrace the relationship between the natural and built environment. It is centered around a courtyard to maintain a compact footprint and to take advantage of the site’s topography.

LeChase, as the project’s construction manager, discussed wellness goals with each subcontractor. When preparing to build on the 33-acre wooded site, we took care to protect and preserve half of the property’s forested areas. This approach not only helped conserve natural resources but also provided an inviting, warm setting for the school.

Similarly, features within the school address a range of WELL criteria. For example:

  • The glazed glass façade maximizes natural daylight while managing indoor temperatures.
  • A 136-foot enclosed bridge incorporates a glass curtainwall for stunning views of the adjacent woods.
  • A green roof, with a student garden, provides outdoor learning space while creating a more comfortable environment in the gym and cafeteria below.
  • Softer finishes, like acoustic cloud ceilings and high-impact drywall, improve sound absorption and minimize noise.
  • Outdoor learning areas and playgrounds provide opportunities for fresh air and exercise during the school day.
  • Color-coding of areas for each grade level helps with wayfinding and create a sense of community among staff and students.


At LeChase, we also recognize that with proper planning, crews on our project sites can also benefit from WELL principles. For example, LEED standards might call for a project site to be smoke-free. Under WELL standards, the construction company might take things a step further and offer programs that encourage workers to quit smoking. We can also embrace WELL principles by ensuring that healthier food options – such as fruit and vegetables – are available to workers.

Having gained experience with WELL through the certification process and in practice, I have learned first-hand the benefit of adhering to WELL standards. With proper planning, they can have a positive impact on health and wellness long before a building is complete, and long after office workers turn on the lights or students sit at their desks for the first time.

Ken Osmun, a project executive with LeChase Construction Services, leads the company’s sustainability and innovation initiatives. Learn more about LeChase at LeChase.com.

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