The Future of Flourishing: A First Look at the Unified WELL Standard
We believe the environments we inhabit should do more than house our daily activities; they should actively support our well-being. This philosophy is why we closely follow the evolution of the WELL Building Standard, the global benchmark for health-centric design.
Recently, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) shared a significant milestone: the next version of the WELL Standard is now open for public comment through May 1. This "One WELL" vision is a thoughtful reimagining of how we create, measure, and sustain spaces that put people first.
A Unified Vision for Health
The most significant shift in this update is the move toward a unified, harmonized standard. Previously, different types of projects, from commercial offices to residential spaces, navigated separate frameworks. The new preview consolidates these into a single cohesive system.
This "One WELL" approach ensures that whether we design a private sanctuary or a community hub, the core principles of human health remain consistent and accessible. It’s a more intuitive way to look at the building blocks of wellness, making it easier for designers and inhabitants to understand how a space supports them.
What is Changing?
While the rigorous, evidence-based strategies that define WELL remain the foundation, the way we interact with them is becoming more streamlined. Key updates in this preview:
Integrated Ratings and Certification: In a shift that honors every effort made toward health, the new structure ensures that "every step forward counts." Points earned toward specific health, safety, or equity ratings now count toward full WELL Certification.
Thematic Groupings: Strategies are now organized into intuitive themes. This allows design teams to pinpoint goals, such as mental health support or restorative lighting, with greater precision.
Clearer, Global Language: The requirements have been rewritten to be clearer and more scannable. This shift away from dense technical jargon makes the standard more adaptable across global markets and easier for homeowners and business owners to implement with confidence.
Rewarding Progress: Preconditions, the mandatory baseline requirements, will now qualify for points across the board. This recognizes the value of these fundamental health features and rewards projects for their commitment to baseline excellence.
Designing for the Whole Person
At its heart, the evolution of the WELL Standard is about making "people-first places" the norm rather than the exception. By refining the concepts we've championed, like air, light, mind, and community, this update makes it simpler to weave wellness into the fabric of a building.
For example, the updated standard continues to prioritize:
Restorative Spaces: Creating opportunities for quiet reflection and connection to nature to mitigate daily stress.
Environmental Quality: Ensuring the invisible elements, the air we breathe and the water we drink, are held to the highest purity standards.
Inclusive Design: Expanding the community concept to ensure spaces are equitable, accessible, and welcoming to all, regardless of physical abilities or backgrounds.
Why Your Voice Matters
The IWBI is seeking feedback from the community of designers, architects, and occupants who live and work in these spaces. The public comment period is an opportunity to ensure the standard remains practical and impactful for real-world application.
By participating in this process, we contribute to a future where our buildings are tools for longevity and joy. As this new version moves from preview to final release, it promises to make the journey toward a healthier home or workplace more efficient and rewarding.
Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV, and many other publications. In 2017, Sarah was honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
References & Further Reading
For those interested in the rigorous science and evolving frameworks behind the One WELL vision, the following resources provide the foundational data and official guidelines used to develop these health-centric strategies:
Primary Sources
International WELL Building Institute (2026). The WELL Building Standard: Concept Directory. An overview of the eleven core categories of human health in the built environment.
International WELL Building Institute (2026). One WELL: A Unified Vision for the Future of Health. Official announcement regarding the harmonization of WELL programs and the public comment period.
IWBI Public Comment Portal (2026). Standard Preview and Feedback Forum. The active platform for reviewing side-by-side comparisons of v2 and the upcoming enhancements (Open through May 1, 2026).
Foundational Research
Allen, J. G., & Macomber, J. D. (2020). Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity. Harvard University Press. A key text often cited by IWBI regarding the economic and cognitive benefits of healthy offices.
World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality. The scientific basis for many of the Air and Materials requirements found within the WELL Standard.
Global Wellness Institute. Wellness Architecture & Design Initiative. Research exploring the intersection of the built environment and holistic human health.
Designing a Compassionate Community: How Designers Can Create Mutually Beneficial Relationships with Non-Profits
Sarah Barnard will be presenting at SCALE the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) National Student Summit in Los Angeles on February 23-25. Hailed as “the must-attend event of the year for interior design students” SCALE is an excellent resource for both students and educators who care about the impact of design on human life. Students of interior design will gain exclusive insights into a variety of professional roles, and educators will explore current topics and resources to expand their programs. Students studying other built environment professions such as architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning will also benefit from the multi-disciplinary speakers and diversity of topics presented at SCALE.
As a recent ASID Scholar award winner, Sarah Barnard LEED A.P. has been selected amongst a highly curated roster of speakers to discuss her interior design practice and methodology for creating mutually beneficial relationships with non-profit organizations. “The potential for sustainability and growth is the product of symbiotic systems,” says Sarah Barnard. “Designing a compassionate community is about building relationships that are long-lasting.”
Sarah has been committed to helping organizations that protect and advance our society as well as our humanity, standing firm in a quest to aid institutions such as The Heritage Square Museum, the Santa Monica Conservancy and the Olmstead Preservation Association which work to protect architectural and cultural histories. Additionally, she has served the Downtown Women's Center which provides permanent supportive housing to homeless women; the National Immigration Law Center which protects immigrants, low-income workers and people of all genders and sexual orientations; Life Rolls On/ Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation which aids and inspires people with disabilities.
Sarah says, "These types of organizations have never been more important to our well-being, yet in present times, are at great risk. I understand that by providing pro-bono design services, securing donations of goods and services and by always continuing to encourage growth and expansion of a compassionate community, we can encourage each other to create a better world, with hope, beauty, and dignity."
SCALE The ASID National Student Summit with be held at the Sheraton Grand located downtown at 711 S. Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90017.
Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.
To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.
Sarah Barnard: LEED AP, Interior Designer, ASID Scholar Award Winner
Sarah Barnard has been recognised by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) as a rising leader in the interior design industry demonstrating exceptional leadership and a willingness to push the boundaries of the profession. Awarded with the highest honor of Scholar, the ASID recognises Sarah's commitment to fostering connectivity and growth throughout the community.
"As a LEED AP, I design healthy, sustainable interiors for non-profit organizations that work to protect our architectural and cultural heritage and fight for social and environmental justice."
Sarah has been committed to helping organizations that protect and advance our society as well as our humanity, standing firm in a quest to aid institutions such as: The Heritage Square Museum, the Santa Monica Conservancy and the Olmstead Preservation Association, working to protect architectural and cultural histories; the Downtown Women’s Center providing permanent supportive housing to homeless women; the National Immigration Law Center providing protection for immigrants, low-income workers and people of all genders and sexual orientations; Life Rolls On-Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, aiding and inspiring people with disabilities.
"These types of organizations have never been more important to our well-being, yet in present times, are at great risk. I understand that by providing pro-bono design services, securing donations of goods and services and by always continuing to encourage growth and expansion of a compassionate community, we can encourage each other to create a better world, with hope, beauty and dignity."
Sarah Barnard is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and is recognized by the International Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology as a Building Biology Practitioner (BBP) and by the United States Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). She has served on the Santa Monica Conservancy's board of directors and specializes in sustainable interior design and historic preservation.
Undertaking a broad range of projects, all of which are grounded in smart design and mindful of healthy living, Sarah’s diverse body of work includes upscale private residences, chic restaurants, luxurious spas and impressive corporate headquarters. Her projects have been featured in local and national publications, and have placed prominently in several noted design competitions. Sarah holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Claremont Graduate University as well as undergraduate degrees in Art and Interior Architectural Design. Her interior design practice is the culmination of education and interests in art, architecture, textiles and the environment and she has written several articles for important publications including the USGBC, United States Green Building Council.
Sarah Barnard, WELL AP and LEED AP, designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that connect deeply to nature and art. Empathy and mindfulness are the foundation of her practice creating healing, supportive environments that enhance life.