What is Fitwel?
Encouraging physical activity, offering healthy food and providing access to nature are just a few examples in Fitwel’s certification.
Fitwel is a building certification system focused on promoting health and well-being within buildings and communities. It was developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA) in collaboration with experts from public health, design, and real estate sectors. Fitwel provides guidelines and strategies for creating healthier environments by addressing factors such as indoor air quality, access to healthy food options, physical activity opportunities, and mental well-being support.
Fitwel certification takes into account various aspects of a building's design, operations, and policies to ensure that it supports the health and well-being of its occupants. Some key features of Fitwel include:
Physical Activity: Encouraging active transportation options, providing amenities such as fitness centers or walking paths, and promoting stair usage to increase physical activity levels.
Healthy Food Access: Offering healthy food options in cafeterias or vending machines, promoting water consumption, and supporting food security initiatives.
Indoor Environment: Improving indoor air quality, optimizing lighting conditions, and incorporating features that enhance thermal comfort and acoustics.
Mental Health and Well-being: Creating spaces that support stress reduction, providing access to nature, and offering resources for mental health support and relaxation.
Fitwel certification aims to have a positive impact on human health by fostering environments that promote healthier lifestyles, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and enhance overall well-being. By integrating evidence-based design and operational strategies, Fitwel-certified buildings and communities can contribute to improving the health outcomes of their occupants.
Triple Bottom Line
The "triple bottom line" refers to the concept that businesses should not only measure their success based on financial performance but also consider their social and environmental impact. Fitwel aligns with this concept by promoting health and well-being alongside economic considerations. Essentially, Fitwel certification helps organizations address the triple bottom line by creating healthier environments that benefit people, the planet, and profit:
People: Fitwel-certified buildings prioritize the health and well-being of their occupants, leading to increased productivity, satisfaction, and overall quality of life.
Planet: Many strategies encouraged by Fitwel, such as energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and access to public transportation, contribute to reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability.
Profit: While initial investments may be required to implement Fitwel strategies, the long-term benefits, including improved employee retention, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced marketability, can lead to financial gains for building owners and organizations.
In summary, Fitwel certification supports the triple bottom line by promoting healthier environments that benefit people, the planet, and profit simultaneously.
Fitwel.org
To receive a Healthy Building Certification, The Fitwel Standard provides tailored scorecards for “existing or new buildings” such as:
Senior Housing
Retail
Multi-Tenant Whole Building
Multi-Tenant Base Building
Single-Tenant Building
Commercial Interior Space
Multi-Family Residential
And for “Sites” there are two certifications:
Community
Commercial and Industrial
*FITWEL & Design is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Participation by The Center for Active Design and/or any other organization does not imply endorsement by HHS. Outside the United States, the FITWEL service marks are owned by the Center for Active Design, Inc.
