Analyzing Existing Assessment Tools and WELL Building Standard focusing on Korean Workplace Environment

Modern office workers spend most of their day in indoor workplaces, leading to persistent concerns about physical and mental health. As a result, there is growing demand for assessment tools that can systematically analyze the relationship between workplace environments and employee health; however, related research remains limited. The WELL Building Standard, an international certification system focused on user health, mandates post-occupancy evaluation (POE) and recommends the use of certified third-party survey tools. Yet, such tools pose challenges in Korea. First, many are operated on a closed, fee-based model requiring separate licenses or bundled consulting, making them less accessible to small design firms and general users. Second, most tools are developed in Western contexts and based on English-language platforms, lacking alignment with Korean building regulations, labor systems, culture, and climate. Third, existing surveys focus primarily on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors such as air, lighting, and sound while overlooking architectural and spatial considerations. This study analyzes job satisfaction surveys and WELL design features to develop a foundational framework for assessing architectural elements that affect employee health in Korean workplaces.