We design homes that actively support residents’ health, comfort, and well-being. That philosophy is on full display in our latest milestone: two residences in Magleby Development’s Velvaere wellness community in Park City, Utah, have earned the WELL Residence seal from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). These homes are among the first in the nation to achieve this distinction, and they earned the highest score of any project in the WELL for residential pilot program.
Helping Shape the WELL for Residential Program
As a pilot participant, Think Architecture had the unique opportunity to provide expert insight during the development of the WELL for residential framework. This collaborative role helped shape how health-focused home design strategies are applied to single-family residences, ensuring the program addresses real-world needs and opportunities.
What WELL Residence Certification Means
WELL Residence certification is an evidence-based, third-party verified standard designed to transform the way homes are designed, built, and maintained to promote human health. Out of more than 200 points available, a project must achieve at least 40 to earn certification. The Velvaere homes each scored an impressive 114 points.
This isn’t just a one-time recognition; WELL certification for homes continues for the life of the building. Ongoing performance verification, such as continuous air quality monitoring, ensures that these residences continue meeting the high standards they were built to achieve.
Design Strategies That Promote Well-Being
The Velvaere homes integrate a wide range of wellness-driven design strategies that support physical, mental, and emotional health, including:
- Clean Indoor Air: MERV-13 air filters, UV light treatment of cooling coils, and a sealed building envelope to reduce pollutants.
- Natural Light and Sleep Support: Circadian lighting design aligned with natural light cycles.
- Low-Toxin Materials: Use of low-emission finishes to minimize chemical exposure.
- Clean Water: Filtered drinking water available at every faucet.
- Personal Wellness Spaces: A dedicated health and wellness sanctuary in each home with a cold plunge, infrared sauna, and space for spa treatments or personal fitness.
- Connection to Nature: Outdoor living areas and expansive views that support mental well-being.
- Active Lifestyle Amenities: Access to skiing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and a community Wellness Center with cryotherapy, hyperbaric chamber, massage, experience showers, gym, meditation garden, and yoga.
A Movement Toward Healthier Homes
The Velvaere project joins a growing global community of homes and communities using the WELL framework to positively impact resident health. By focusing on the WELL Building Standard’s ten concepts (Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, and Community), Think Architecture and Magleby Development are helping set a new benchmark for healthy home design in Utah.
As Principal Johnny Shirley puts it:
“Achieving WELL Residence certification at Velvaere reflects our commitment to designing places that actively promote health, comfort, and resilience. We’re proud to be part of a movement that raises the standard for what people can expect from their homes.”
Interested in WELL Certification for Homes in Utah?
Think Architecture is an early leader in healthy home design and WELL for Residential certification, particularly here in Utah. If you’re a developer or homeowner considering WELL certification for homes, we’d be glad to share our experience navigating the pilot process and delivering wellness-first design solutions.
Explore more of our work on the Velvaere project page, view our residential architecture services, and get in touch to learn how WELL-certified design can elevate your residential developments.
