Creating a healthier built environment by translating research into action. 

The Center for Active Design is the leading non-profit organization committed to transforming the built environment to foster healthy and engaged communities.

Winnersh Triangle, Reading, United Kingdom | Image Courtesy of Frasers Property UK

MIT found that rents were between 4.4% and 7.7% higher for certified healthy buildings when compared with non-certified peers.

40% of an individual’s health outcomes are determined by the physical environment and health behaviors.

The Fitwel Standard is supported by more than 7,000 studies, has been adopted by more than 7,000 assets, and impacts more than 5 million people.

Bridging Research and Practice

Translating Public Health Evidence into Built Environment Solutions

Learn more about how the Center for Active Design leverages a century of public health evidence to translate research into actionable solutions to create a healthier built environment. This work drives the evolution of the Fitwel Standard and tackles pressing questions about designing environments that support health and well-being.

Connect Health in the Built Environment with Value

Investing in health isn’t just good for people, it’s good for business. Research shows that health-focused strategies enhance tenant satisfaction, boost retention, and can even increase property values while mitigating risk. Our work delves into the relationship between health and financial performance, highlighting how investments in well-being can maximize ROI and support longterm resilience. As the demand for healthier spaces continues to grow, prioritizing well-being is no longer just an amenity — it’s a strategic advantage for stakeholder across the built environment.

Publications

As a nonprofit committed to a research-driven approach, CfAD explores and shares insights about the built environment and its global impact on people. Through partnerships with academics, government agencies, and the business community, we advance knowledge on the intersection between public health and the built environment. Explore our publications below.

Active Design Guidelines

Provides architects and urban designers with a manual for creating healthier buildings, streets, and urban spaces.

Assembly: Civic Design Guidelines

A playbook for creating well-designed and well-maintained public spaces as a force for building trust in local communities.

Healthcare: A Cure for Housing

Identifies the ten best practices for investing in affordable housing.

Education

Fitwel Ambassador Program

Gain valuable insight into the history and importance of the built environment in supporting health and equity and learn how to leverage these insights in your own work.

Additional Resources 

Dig deeper into courses, publications, and other resources aimed at building knowledge and skills to support you in your efforts to create health-promoting spaces and places. 

Certification

The Fitwel Standard

Originally developed through a partnership with the federal government, the Center for Active Design won operating rights of the Fitwel Standard in 2016 with the mandate to expand Fitwel globally.

The Center for Active Design currently leads the development of the Fitwel Standard and the certification of projects against the Standard, ensuring that it remains rigorous, reflects the latest public health evidence, and meets real estate stakeholders needs, all with the intention of creating a healthier, more resilient built environment.