Fitwel: the international certification that turns well-being into real estate value

Certified developments increase perceived value, strengthen positioning and raise competitiveness in the market.

Up to 18%

faster sales

(DODGE DATA 2021)

Up to 25%

residential premium

(GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE)

Up to 18%

tenant retention

(MIT. 2021)

WE ARE

In the high-end market, superficial differentiation no longer supports price

For premium developers, certification directly impacts:

+4.6 – 4.8%

rent premium

+$55.26/m²

in added value

86%

of building owners are motivated to adopt health strategies.

87%

of institutional investors report growing demand for healthy buildings.

*Source: University of Cambridge, Center for Active Design

ABOUT HYGGE

Hygge is an architectural engineering and sustainability consultancy that specializes in turning developments into more valuable, healthy and efficient spaces.

We work strategically on Fitwel implementation, connecting health, well-being and real estate value to create real differentiation in the market.

As a Fitwel Champion + Provider, we hold one of the highest partnership levels with the Center for Active Design, ensuring greater technical alignment, predictability and security in the certification process.

+900

Projects delivered

4

Countries served

Fitwel tailored to your development

The certification adapts to your building type:

Planned neighborhoods, residential communities and industrial parks.

Focus on mobility, green areas, safety and healthy infrastructure.

Residential, commercial, retail, senior living.

Focus on air quality, lighting, physical activity and well-being policies.

Corporate floors, clinics, coworking spaces and retail.

Ideal when you control only the interior.

Growth of Fitwel worldwide

Your next launch can sell quality of life with scientific evidence

Today whoever decides the purchase looks at more than floor area or finish standard

The buyer assesses: 

Air quality | Thermal comfort | Natural light | Impact on daily routine

Get a preliminary strategic assessment of your development's Fitwel potential

Response time: 1 business day

Frequently Asked Questions

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

What is Fitwel?

Fitwel is an international certification created to assess how spaces affect the health, comfort and quality of life of the people who use a development. Unlike certifications focused mainly on environmental efficiency or technical performance, Fitwel was developed with a focus on the human experience within spaces. The certification considers factors such as:

Air quality
Natural light
Comfort
Encouraging movement
Well-being
Shared spaces
User experience

In practice, Fitwel helps developers structure projects that are better aligned with today's buyer behavior, strengthening perceived value and market differentiation.

Is Fitwel only for large developments?

No.
Fitwel can be applied to different project types and scales, including:

Residential
Corporate
Mixed-use
Planned neighborhoods
Retrofit
Urban spaces

However, the strategic impact tends to be greater in developments where differentiation, positioning and user experience directly influence the purchase decision. Especially in the upper-mid and high-end segments, attributes related to quality of life now carry significant weight in how the product is perceived.

Is Fitwel a sustainability certification?

Fitwel should not be understood merely as a “sustainability seal”. Although it includes points related to the built environment and the quality of spaces, the certification's main focus is on people and how they live, work and experience the development. While other certifications focus more on environmental efficiency, energy use and ecological impact, Fitwel mainly addresses attributes linked to:

Health
Well-being
Comfort
Quality of life
User experience

That is why it speaks directly to the end buyer and strengthens the development's positioning in a way the market can more readily see.

What is the difference between Fitwel and other seals?

What is the difference between Fitwel and other seals? Each certification has different objectives. Some focus primarily on environmental sustainability and technical efficiency. Fitwel, on the other hand, was structured to assess how a development positively influences people's experience and well-being. In practice, this means Fitwel tends to have a more direct connection with:

Perceived value
Resident experience
Product positioning
Sales narrative
High-end differentiation

In addition, Fitwel is usually easier for the end buyer to understand, because the benefits show up in everyday use of the development.

At what project stage should Fitwel come in?

Ideally, Fitwel should be considered at the early stage of the project. When the strategy comes in early:

There is greater freedom of decision
Less need for adaptation
Lower risk of rework
Greater potential for differentiation

When certification only comes in at the end of the process, many strategic opportunities have already been lost. That is why projects that consider Fitwel from the outset tend to get more value from the certification.

Does Fitwel help increase the development's value?

Developments that incorporate strategies linked to health and quality of life tend to strengthen their perceived value in the market. International studies point to links between healthy buildings and factors such as:

Greater appeal
Competitive differentiation
Better perceived quality
Rent premium
Value per square meter

Beyond the numbers, there is one important factor: experience. Today's premium buyer does not assess only floor area or finishes. They look at how the development connects with their routine, comfort and lifestyle. Fitwel helps structure these attributes strategically.

Does my development have to be high-end?

Not necessarily. But Fitwel tends to have more impact on projects where:

Differentiation influences sales
Experience is part of the product proposition
There is a drive for premium positioning
The buyer has higher expectations

In the high-end market, attributes linked to quality of life are no longer complementary and have become part of what the market expects.