San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Center demonstrates how large-scale transportation infrastructure can integrate health, sustainability, and passenger experience—earning recognition in the 2026 Best in Building Health Awards. Photo Courtesy of Gensler & Kuth Ranieri | Jason O’Rear Photography.

Siam Piwat’s NEXTOPIA demonstrates how health, sustainability, and experiential retail can converge to create a future-ready destination—earning recognition in the 2026 Best in Building Health Awards.

As climate pressures intensify, the built environment plays a critical role protecting both human health and planetary resilience. From green space and climate-responsive design to active transportation and indoor air quality, the most effective strategies deliver multiple benefits at once – advancing sustainability, enhancing well-being, and driving long-term value.

Celebrate the 2026 Best in Building Health winners. CEO Joanna Frank discusses the shift toward health at scale and why health-centered real estate is essential for the future of the industry.

New research confirms that healthy building certifications can generate measurable financial returns, including 4–6% higher rents. A Cambridge University study shows that investing in occupant health drives asset value, tenant satisfaction, and long-term performance. Health is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a strategic real estate investment.

2025 marked a turning point for global real estate as consumer demand reshaped how value is created and measured. Backed by new research, international momentum, and a shift toward real-time verification, this year proved that health-focused buildings outperform—delivering rental premiums, stronger tenant satisfaction, and long-term resilience. From Fitwel’s Smart Scorecard innovations to the resurgence of Active Design, the market made one thing clear: health is no longer a trend, but a fundamental driver of performance and investment.

15 years after NYC's groundbreaking Active Design Guidelines transformed how cities think about health, NYC and CFAD today launched Active Design Guidelines 2.0: Designing for Health and Equity—an updated and expanded toolkit that creates a more holistic set of design strategies that promote physical activity mental wellbeing, social connection, and equity.    

Fitwel and Awair announce a groundbreaking data partnership integrating Awair’s commercial-grade indoor air quality sensors with Fitwel’s healthy building certification platform. The collaboration delivers performance-based verification, reduces documentation, and meets surging tenant demand for healthier, more sustainable indoor environments. 

Fitwel’s new Smart Scorecard Wizard uses intelligent automation to make certification faster, smarter, and more accurate. By streamlining scorecard selection and approvals, it reduces manual effort, ensures consistency, and empowers users to focus on impact rather than paperwork.

As GRESB 2026 approaches, now is the time to strengthen your sustainability strategy. Fitwel Star and FSP Scale Certifications are recognized by GRESB—earning full and Partial+ points. Submit by December 14, 2025, to claim the SUCCESS2026 10% discount on certification fees and get ahead of next year’s reporting cycle.

Explore how Fitwel’s FSP certification links climate resilience, health, and financial value—insights from Kayne Anderson’s multifamily portfolio.