Primary and Secondary Space Types

The International WELL Building Standard™ uses a space category, which is defined as some or all of a building that is typified by a specific use or function. Spaces are tied to specific standards. Spaces are designated as either primary or secondary. Primary spaces are those that can apply to an entire project, whereas secondary spaces are always affiliated with a primary space.

A project therefore could be comprised of one space, meaning it applies one standard, or it could be comprised of multiple spaces and apply multiple standards. For example, a school with a cafeteria would consist of a primary space using the Educational Facilities pilot standard and an affiliated secondary space using the Commercial Kitchen pilot standard.

In order to achieve WELL Certification through the pilot program, the entirety of the project space must be evaluated. Every project is anchored by a primary space’s standard. If the entirety of a project space falls under the purview of a single primary space’s standard, only that standard is required for WELL Certification. If there are spaces within the project scope that meet the definition of another, existing pilot secondary space’s standard, then the project must adhere to the requirements of that secondary space’s standard as well. This ensures that any distinct spaces within the project scope that may require unique considerations will only be held to those requirements appropriate for that space.

These pairing requirements are only applicable to standards of the same class: either both the primary and secondary spaces must be pilot standards, or both must be graduated (i.e., non-pilot) standards. For example, a project whose primary space refers to the commercial and institutional offices will not be required to adhere to any pilot secondary space standards. However, if the primary space refers to a pilot standard, and there are applicable secondary spaces that fall under the purview of any existing pilot secondary space’s standards, then the project will be required to pursue both the pilot primary and pilot secondary space standards.