About Fitwel
Who We Are
Our Team and Advisors
A group of rigorous researchers, innovative urban planners, and detail-oriented architects, the Fitwel Team is committed to a collaborative process that brings together expertise from a wide range of professions including public health, design, development, statistics, and research.
We leverage our partnerships with public agencies and private companies, Champions, and members of the Fitwel Councils and Advisory Board to assist us in strengthening Fitwel, maintaining its scientific credibility, and ensuring its long-term impact and rigor.
Center for Active Design
The Center for Active Design (CfAD) is the preeminent global not-for-profit organization working at the intersection of health and the built environment. We transform design and development practice to support health and ensure equitable access to vibrant public and private spaces that support optimal quality of life.
CfAD was launched by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2011, to transform New York City’s groundbreaking Active Design program into an international movement. Over the last five years our work has gone global, reaching over 180 countries and informing the design of buildings and public infrastructure projects around the world.
The Fitwel Certification System marks a new chapter in our work. By providing a standard for the building industry, Fitwel supports widespread adoption of health promoting strategies through a user-friendly digital portal. This comes at a time when health has become increasingly important to building owners and developers, in response to growing demand from consumers. Thanks to this demand and our partners’ enthusiasm and innovation, Fitwel is continuing to quickly expand, reaching an ever-growing number of individuals and communities.
CfAD was selected by the Federal government to be the licensed operator of Fitwel, leading future development and use within the private and public sectors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remains our research and evaluation partner for Fitwel. The General Services Administration continues to provide leadership on the development of Fitwel, and is currently using Fitwel to certify buildings from all 11 regions of its portfolio.
Leadership Advisory Board
The Fitwel LAB advises the Center for Active Design on maintaining Fitwel’s vision and strength of product by providing direction and input into its continuous growth.
Fitwel LAB Members
We are thankful to our founding members, Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. and Tishman Speyer, whose leadership is critical to Fitwel’s transformative impact on the building industry.
Advisory Council Members
We are also proud to welcome the members of the Fitwel Advisory Council, whose commitment is advancing Fitwel’s global impact.
Why Use Fitwel?
Responding to Demand
49% of building owners are willing to pay more for buildings demonstrated to have a positive impact on health.
Fitwel Certified buildings respond to the growing market demand for spaces designed to support healthier lifestyles.
Staying on Trend
Responsible investing is on the rise, with today’s investors increasingly looking to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance when making investment decisions.
Fitwel offers strategies for developing and maintaining optimum health-promoting environments, helping companies significantly boost their ESG scores, and associated ratings including GRESB.
million buildings
million occupants
Impacting Humans
Fitwel has a vision of impacting health within all buildings, regardless of budget, size, year built, or location.
Join us to make a difference in the lives of more than 120 million employees and 34 million residents who live and work in the U.S. alone.
research studies reviewed
years of research
Sticking to Science
Fitwel was developed by experts in public health, facility management, and design, and is supported by over 3,000 research studies.
You can feel confident that Fitwel offers what the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers as the most impactful strategies based on science.
Keeping it Simple
We’ve leveraged technology and common sense to streamline the certification process, ensuring that you have access to the information and performance data you need to certify a project and celebrate its impact.