Bogotá has declared air quality alert episodes during the dry season in recent years, when the combination of biomass burning, traffic, and the savanna's topography pushes PM2.5 levels well above recommended limits. For companies based along the Calle 100 financial corridor or the international business district, that's a problem they can't solve from outside the building — only from inside it. Colombia is also fighting a talent war in Bogotá and Medellín's tech, BPO, and financial services sectors, where retaining specialists takes more than a competitive salary. WELL certifies exactly that variable: the quality of the air and water employees breathe and consume, and the space design that affects their focus, sleep, and mental health — with performance testing verified on site, not just design documentation.
Initial diagnosis: we assess the building's current air quality, water, and thermal comfort levels against WELL v2's ten concepts.
Strategic prioritization: we determine which concepts — Air, Mind, and Community are usually top priority in Bogotá's context — deliver the highest impact at the lowest implementation cost.
On-site performance verification: we coordinate the physical air and water quality tests an IWBI-accredited performance testing agent must carry out before the certificate is issued.
Certification and maintenance: we manage issuance through GBCI and the three-year recertification cycle WELL requires to keep the seal active.
IWBI's fees are calculated by built-area range, plus the cost of on-site performance verification — air and water quality tests physically carried out by an accredited agent — which is exclusive to WELL and doesn't exist in the LEED or EDGE process. This makes WELL's total budget higher for comparable square footage, though predictable once the project's scope is defined. The full process takes 12 to 18 months from registration and requires recertification every three years to keep the seal active.
It's exactly the clearest use case. WELL requires filtration systems with measurable PM2.5 thresholds and continuous monitoring, protecting occupants on alert days without depending on outdoor air quality improving.
It's still an emerging market compared to LEED and EDGE, which have had a longer presence in the country. That's an opportunity: the first WELL buildings in Bogotá and Medellín stand out more clearly because there's still little certified supply.
Yes, through WELL v2's Existing Buildings and Interiors pathway, which adjusts cleaning protocols, air and water quality, and wellness policies without requiring major renovation.
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