Fitwel — Embracing the Future: Highlights and Key Benefits of Fitwel v3

AMP 1MQ, Melbourne, Australia | Photo courtesy of AMP and Hassell

As we step into a new era of healthy building, Fitwel v3 has been enhancing the landscape of healthy building certification since its launch as v3 beta in June. This latest version of our comprehensive building health standard reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting health and well-being in the built environment. Fitwel v3 builds on the strengths of previous versions while integrating new research, strategies, platform features, and user feedback to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

1700 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA | Photo courtesy of Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Participate in Our Ongoing Comment Period

We are excited to offer an ongoing opportunity for you to shape the future of Fitwel v3 through our comment period. Your feedback is crucial to help us refine and improve the standard. Please share your thoughts by filling out our Feedback Form. Learn more about the comment period in our Help Center.

Webinar Recap: Insights into Fitwel v3

Access the July 2024 Webinar Recap in our new v3 Webinar Series section of the Help Center. This article includes the full recording and detailed Q&A, offering an in-depth look at the new features and benefits of Fitwel v3.

HERE Building, Thames Valley Park, UK | Photo courtesy of Element Four

What's New in Fitwel v3?

Fitwel v3 offers a range of enhancements designed to make your certification journey more impactful and efficient. Here are some of the key highlights:

1. Enhanced Focus on Climate Adaptation and Resilience:

Climate Change Resilience: Fitwel v3 introduces new strategies to enhance buildings' resilience to climate change. These strategies focus on improving building performance during extreme weather events, ensuring safety and continuity.
Sustainable Practices: Incorporating sustainable practices into building design and operation is emphasized more than ever. This includes energy efficiency measures, water conservation, and waste reduction.

190 Simcoe Street, Toronto, ON | Photo courtesy of Canada Life and GWL Realty

2. Promoting Social Equity:

Equity in Design: Fitwel v3 integrates strategies that promote social equity within and around buildings. This includes enhancing accessibility, promoting inclusive design, and ensuring that building benefits extend to the surrounding community.
Health Impact on Communities: By addressing the needs of diverse populations, Fitwel v3 aims to reduce health disparities and promote equitable health outcomes.

3. New and Improved Strategies:

Expanded Health Categories: Fitwel v3 expands its focus to new health impact categories, including mental health and well-being. Strategies that support mental health, such as access to natural light, noise reduction, and stress management resources, are now integral to the certification.
Innovative Approaches: Fitwel v3 encourages the adoption of innovative approaches to enhance building health, such as biophilic design, active design principles, and the use of health-promoting materials.

Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA | Photo courtesy of HGA & Anton Grassi

4. Improved Implementation Guidance:

Clarifications for Compliance: Fitwel v3 includes detailed clarifications to help project teams understand and meet strategy requirements. Compliance documentation is paired with associated requirements, providing clear guidance on what is needed to verify compliance.
Streamlined Documentation Process: The certification process has been made more efficient with system validation that allows users to input responses for each requirement directly on the Fitwel platform. This streamlines project submissions and ensures accuracy.

5. Strategy Alignment Across Scorecards:

Portfolio Implementation: Fitwel v3 aligns strategies across different scorecards, making it easier for users to implement strategies across their portfolios. This coherence simplifies the certification process for organizations managing multiple projects.

333 Brannan, San Francisco, CA | Photo courtesy of Kilroy

Value of Fitwel v3 for You

1. Evidence-Based Approach: Grounded in the latest public health research, ensuring strategies lead to tangible health benefits.

2. Flexibility to Meet You Where You Are: Allows projects to design their journey without prerequisites, selecting strategies that best fit their unique context and goals. We believe every building can be optimized for the health and well-being of its occupants.

3. Enhanced Health and Well-Being: By adopting Fitwel v3, building owners and managers can significantly enhance the health and well-being of their occupants by Improving indoor air quality, promoting physical activity, supporting mental health, and ensuring access to healthy food options.

4. Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Actively incorporates user feedback to evolve standards and meet industry needs.

How to Get Started with Fitwel v3

Access the Latest Resources: Visit our Resource Library for scorecards, guides, and tools.
Upgrade Your Projects: Consider upgrading existing projects to Fitwel v3. Contact your Relationship Manager or info@fitwel.org for assistance.
Join Our Webinars and Training Sessions: Participate in events for insights and engagement with experts. Sign up for our mailing list for updates.
Share Your Feedback: We value your input! Learn more about our comment period and how to provide feedback here.

Fitwel v3 marks a significant step forward in our mission to promote health and well-being in the built environment. With its enhanced focus on climate resilience, social equity, and innovative health strategies, Fitwel v3 is designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. We are excited to see how our users will leverage these new strategies, tools, and resources to create healthier, more resilient, and more equitable buildings.

Stay tuned for more updates and resources as we continue to support your journey with Fitwel v3. For any questions or assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@fitwel.org.