This topic guide looks at the growing importance of wellbeing in the built environment, including information on building assessment schemes. It supersedes TG 10/2016.
The built environment plays a significant role in health and wellbeing. Physical characteristics of the built environment such as functional design, air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, adaptability, future-proofing, access to green spaces and facilities all contribute to building users’ health and wellbeing.
This topic guide considers what wellbeing means, how this has changed over time and what people need for their wellbeing. It looks at how growing recognition of the built environment’s influence on wellbeing has positively influenced approaches to health, mental health and overall wellbeing across the industry.
The guide discusses how wellbeing has featured more prominently in building assessment schemes including BREEAM before becoming central to the WELL and Fitwel schemes. The multiple assessment elements for wellbeing in these schemes are outlined, demonstrating their broad and equitable approach to optimising buildings for wellbeing.
TG 10/2025 supersedes TG 10/2016.
Explore BSRIA's range of wellbeing services