How WELL Building Standards Inspired My Journey as a WELL Accredited Professional
As a student at Indiana University, I took an elective course focused on the WELL Building Standard. This standard is a global framework that evaluates, certifies, and monitors how elements of the built environment—like air quality, lighting, and materials—impact human health and well-being. It is designed to improve the physical and mental health of building occupants by setting performance benchmarks that encourage healthier spaces.
Throughout the course, we applied the WELL performance-based system to a case study project, integrating its features to meet various certification levels.
That course transformed my perspective on what interior designers can achieve. Previously, I believed the role primarily involved space planning, material selection, and lighting design. However, I soon realized how much more interior designers can do to positively impact building occupants—or, on the flip side, compromise their well-being. This realization ignited my passion to not only enhance occupant comfort but to go further and improve their health and wellness through design.
After graduation, I revisited the WELL Building Standard and set my sights on becoming a WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP). The WELL AP credential is awarded to individuals who demonstrate a deep understanding of the WELL framework by passing a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of the standard’s ten core concepts and over 100 associated features. I’m proud to share that I passed the exam this spring, earning the credential that symbolizes my commitment to designing with human health and wellness at the forefront.
The WELL Building Standard addresses ten key concepts through over 100 features applied to building projects: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community. When implemented, WELL can enhance the health and well-being of occupants by improving air quality, ensuring safe drinking water, boosting cognitive function, enhancing sleep, using healthier materials, and promoting daily movement, among many other benefits.
Given that humans spend the majority of their lives indoors, our design decisions carry significant weight. Thoughtful design can affect the physical and mental health of students, increase employee satisfaction, improve workplace productivity, and even support a resident’s circadian rhythm. As a WELL AP, I am excited to apply these principles in my design work. Even if a building isn’t seeking WELL certification, I can still incorporate design strategies that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
