Assessing the Implementation of Wellbeing Rating Systems Among Architectural Firms for Commercial Office Building

Journal Article

2025

Published in: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/163

Human health and wellbeing in the field of design have been a rising focus in the last decade due to the growing recognition of the built environment’s impact on occupant health and productivity. This study aims to assess the implementation of wellbeing rating systems among architectural firms for commercial office buildings, focusing on designers’ perceptions, challenges, and experiences in incorporating these systems. A mixed-methods approach will be used, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from a sample of designers working on commercial office building projects. The quantitative survey will assess designers’ knowledge of wellbeing rating systems. The qualitative interviews will investigate designers’ understanding and awareness of wellbeing rating systems, motivations for using them, and challenges they face during implementation. This study aims to identify potential areas for improvement and recommend strategies to enhance the successful integration of wellbeing rating systems into design practices, ultimately contributing to healthier and more sustainable commercial buildings. Also, findings reveal that 36% of architectural firms in Riyadh expressed an interest in adopting the WELL Building Standard (WELL). Contributing to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the level of adoption of wellbeing rating systems among designers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, providing current challenges and strategies recommendations that are essential in shaping building regulations, guidelines, and tools related to occupant wellbeing.