IWBI introduces WELL Interiors
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for advancing healthy buildings, organisations and communities, has introduced a WELL Interiors designation, tailored specifically to how interior spaces are designed to support health and wellbeing.
The new designation, which was announced at IWBI’s WELL 2026 London Summit, on Wednesday, will be a specialised subset of evidence-based strategies from the WELL Standard (WELL), and specifically curated for the Architecture and Design community.
By focusing on the physical elements of a space—from furniture specifications to material health—this new designation will empower interior designers, architects and design-build firms with strategies to ensure health-centric design is a core, protected component of every project.
IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon said: “As human-centred design continues to reshape our spaces, health and wellbeing frameworks must evolve to better support architects and designers. Recognising this transformative shift, the WELL Interiors designation arrives at a critical moment, championing people-first places and empowering practitioners to create healthier, more resilient interior spaces.”
By prioritising the first phase of a project’s lifecycle (interior design and construction), the WELL Interiors designation validates people-centric innovation as a standalone achievement, while eliminating the need for broader operational coordination like human resources policies or post-occupancy performance testing.
Jessica Cooper, IWBI Chief Product Officer commented: “Designers have long understood that our spaces should fundamentally be designed to prioritise people, and WELL has always recognised this, too. This new specialty designation now presents an unprecedented opportunity to focus exclusively on design impact – ultimately making it simpler than ever to bring people-first interiors to life.”
Historically, full WELL certifications have presented scope-related challenges for projects in the midst of an interior renovation. The WELL Interiors designation removes these operational barriers, focusing exclusively on physical interior elements that fall directly under the design team’s purview and contractual control. In doing so, this new designation creates a streamlined, design-focused entry point into the WELL ecosystem. The framework draws on strategies across all 10 core WELL concepts, with deep emphasis on Materials, Light, Sound and Movement.
Research shows that health-focused design can safeguard quality specifications through independent, third-party verification and also delivers measurable financial returns. These design initiatives can boost productivity, improve overall occupant satisfaction by nearly 30 per cent, and enhance asset value through rent premiums for commercial spaces featuring high levels of daylight and biophilia.
Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President, EMEA Region at IWBI, who has spearheaded the development process said: “Our primary goal is to support the A&D community with a designation that recognises holistic health and wellbeing achievements, while offering a streamlined documentation process that preserves the health focus through value engineering. We welcome industry input that informs the WELL Interiors designation and helps shape the future of design.”
To ensure the designation seamlessly fits real-world practice, IWBI has convened the WELL Interiors Working Group. This advisory body brings together a diverse group of professionals from around the globe, including designers, engineers, lighting specialists, acousticians and real estate experts, alongside leading global firms. Key industry bodies are also joining the effort, in order to strengthen the bridge between standard design processes and health-based outcomes.
IWBI invites additional industry participation as it prepares to preview and launch this new designation. For more information and to participate in the WELL Interiors Working Group, please register your interest here.