Universal Design Principles Published in New WELL Building Standard (WELL v2)
June 1, 2018
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has formally adopted Universal Design (UD) principles into the new and improved WELL Building Standard version 2 (WELL v2). Inclusion of the UD concepts were proposed by Steven Winter Associates’ Accessibility Team in February of 2017. SWA is thrilled at the news of this achievement, solidifying Universal Design as an option for anyone wishing to pursue the WELL v2 certification.
“We’re proud to have created the link between Universal Design and Health and Wellness in WELL v2, a standard that continues to gain momentum in the industry,” said Peter Stratton, Managing Director, Accessibility Services.
Universal Design is the concept that refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products, and environments that are inherently accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
The WELL Innovations Proposal submitted to IWBI highlights the connection between Universal Design and health. A portion of the proposal which outlines Universal Design strategies including physical access, developmental and intellectual health, wayfinding, inclusion, technology, and safety, has been published as part of Feature C13: Accessibility and Universal Design. The proposal also provided two options for implementation, both featuring revisions to the original WELL Standard.
As Universal Design continues to garner interest from all corners of the industry, it is hoped that WELL will become a mainstream design standard. As a company, SWA continues to advocate and educate through its consulting services, and is proud to help pave the way for lasting success.