From Thesis to WELL Certification: How Sustainability and Wellness Shaped My Design Journey

From Thesis to WELL Certification: How Sustainability and Wellness Shaped My Design Journey

By: Denille Teh, Associate Design Principal, WELL AP

If someone had told me back in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic that I would not only pursue but also successfully pass the WELL AP certification exam two years later, I would have thought they were joking.

Back then, WELL was still a relatively new concept—a framework focused on promoting health and wellness in buildings. LEED was the big name in sustainability, while WELL was just starting to gain momentum. Version 2 of the WELL Standards had just been released, and in the Philippines, MENARCO Tower was one of the first to pilot WELL Certification, paving the way for more projects to follow.

On a personal note, jumping into a whole new framework of ideas and concepts felt pretty intimidating at first. It had been years since I’d taken on something as challenging as my interior design board exam, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little out of practice when it came to something as structured as WELL. Yet, here I am today as a WELL Accredited Professional and interior designer, and the journey has been nothing short of transformative.

For me, the decision to pursue WELL was deeply personal. It brought me full circle to my college thesis, which explored sustainable practices in retail design. At the time, I came across the concept of “Sick Building Syndrome” (SBS)—a condition where poor indoor environments contribute to acute health symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and irritation. This idea struck a chord with me. Considering that we spend most of our time indoors, SBS highlighted just how much our indoor spaces influence our health.

Initially, I had thought of sustainability and well-being as concerns mostly tied to architecture—natural light, ventilation, and eco-friendly building materials. But during my research, I discovered there were layers of sustainability and wellness that were deeply specific to interior design. Elements like air quality, materials selection, and even lighting design could profoundly impact the well-being of occupants. 

I had no idea that years later, this little seed of curiosity would create depth in what would soon become my WELL journey. The best thing about becoming a certified WELL AP is that it has allowed me to combine my passion for design with a commitment to improving the spaces where people live, work, and thrive

Blueprint for Wellness: The Anatomy of a WELL-Designed Home

When I first came across WELL, its principles were mostly focused on large-scale projects like multi-family buildings and commercial spaces. Given the scope and complexity of the concepts, it made perfect sense.

But as I thought more about it, I started to wonder—could WELL’s strategies also work for single-family homes? After all, our firm works with a lot of residential clients, many of whom are interested in design concepts that focus on health, safety, and overall well-being.

Then, just this past September, WELL introduced customized strategies tailored specifically for single-family and multi-family homes. Inspired by our recent residential projects, I’d like to share how we can apply these WELL concepts to elevate key spaces in a home

The Kitchen

The kitchen is undeniably one of the most important spaces in any home. As the center of food preparation, nutrition, and daily sustenance, it’s a natural focus for incorporating WELL Building Standard concepts. It’s a space where indoor air quality, access to clean water, and thoughtful design to foster a deeper connection to nutrition and well-being. 

Here is an image illustrating interior design related WELL concepts for a Kitchen design and strategies that explore application – 

01 – There’s a big focus on edible landscaping and growing your own food, which can really benefit the family’s well-being. As interior designers, one simple way to make this work is by adding raised herb gardens to the design, helping the home sustainably produce food. A small herb garden on a window sill or near the kitchen is an easy option that’s both practical and accessible. The guidelines suggest allocating at least 1.4 square meters for this in each home.

Also, while not directly related to interior design, WELL also awards points to homes that are within a 400-meter walking distance to supermarkets or markets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables. This is another way to support a healthy lifestyle in the home.

02 – As interior designers, we’re always exploring new types of fixtures and designs to improve spaces. In this case, choosing sensor-activated faucets can help reduce the spread of bacteria, making kitchens cleaner and safer for food prep and daily use.

We also follow the kitchen “work triangle” concept, which places the sink, countertop, and cooktop close to each other. This layout not only makes cooking more efficient but also encourages better food hygiene by reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

03 – It’s our job as design consultants to collaborate with the engineering team to ensure good indoor air quality levels – as such, mechanical systems like the exhaust / range hood are important as they should vent outside of the house to maintain good indoor air quality. It would also do well to specify a range hood that’s as silent as it could be (noise levels at 37.99 decibels which is somewhere between the volume of a whisper and soft music), and this should cover at least ¾ the space of the cooktop area. 

When working with the engineering team, interior designers should keep in mind the standard for exhaust air flow rates. Range hoods should have a minimum airflow of 150 L/s per linear meter (or 100 cfm per linear foot) of hood width, or 142 L/s (300 cfm), whichever is higher. This helps make sure the range hood efficiently vents air, improving indoor air quality and overall ventilation.

Since indoor air quality is a big focus in WELL Standards, interior designers can select electric cooktops over gas types. WELL encourages minimizing combustion sources in the home to help keep the air cleaner and healthier.

04 – Given the potential for high levels of moisture in kitchens, it’s important to use flooring materials that resist water damage. This not only prevents the growth of mold and bacteria but also enhances durability and hygiene in one of the home’s most frequently used spaces. 

05 – The Nourishment concept in WELL emphasizes the importance of functional food prep areas in the kitchen. To support healthy cooking, interior designers can focus on creating plenty of counter space for easy meal preparation.

WELL’s guidelines suggest dividing the counter into sections—one near the sink that’s at least 30 inches wide and 24 inches deep, and another near the oven, cooktop, or fridge, at least 15 inches wide and 24 inches deep. These design choices make cooking more efficient and encourage healthier habits.

The Bedroom

Let’s talk about the heart of rest and relaxation—the bedroom. As one of the most integral spaces in the home, it’s where we spend a significant part of our lives resting and recharging. The quality of this environment greatly influences our sleep, mental health, and overall well-being, making it a key area to incorporate WELL strategies.

As interior designers, we play a big part in making this happen. From choosing color palettes and ergonomic furniture to adding blackout shades, good design can turn a bedroom into a wellness haven. It’s all about striking the right balance between style and function—creating a space that looks great, and genuinely supports a healthier and happier lifestyle for the family.

01Lighting: Our bodies naturally follow circadian rhythms, so it’s important that all areas of the home—especially bedrooms—have lighting that works well with natural light.

A great way to do this is by using smart, dimmable LED lighting systems. These allow you to adjust the light levels for different activities, helping the space feel just right for whatever you’re doing. In fact, the WELL standard recommends dimmable lights (up to 20%), avoiding flickering at low levels, and even suggests automating the lighting to adjust based on the time of day.

When choosing lighting, it’s important to keep in mind that the quality of light matters a lot for comfort. For the best experience, designers can aim for lighting with a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 90 or higher, which makes the colors in a room look more natural and true to life.

02Window Treatment: When it comes to window treatments, interior designers love having a variety of options like shades, blinds, or curtains to choose from. To help support a healthy circadian rhythm, it’s important that blackout shades have a maximum visible light transmittance of just 1%. For family homes, it’s also essential to make sure residents can easily control these blackout shades, either manually or with electric controls. Bonus points if the controls can be automated for even more convenience!

03 – Acoustic Comfort: An interior designer’s go-to solution—incorporating soft furnishings like rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture to absorb sound and reduce noise disruptions. These not only help absorb sound but also create a more peaceful atmosphere. According to WELL Standards, it’s important that these furnishings also meet health and safety guidelines by limiting harmful chemicals and following Informed™ standards. Taking it a step further, WELL recommends that bedroom noise levels stay below 35 dBA, and when mechanical systems are running, the noise should not exceed a maximum of 40 NC (Noise Criterion) for optimal comfort.

Strategically, this particular house just happens to be located right behind a golf course, surrounded by lush landscaping and greenery, offering a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city noise. It’s a natural advantage when it comes to location.

The Home Office

Another key space in the home, especially since the pandemic, is the home office. It’s become a regular spot for family members who often work remotely. Integrating WELL principles here can really make a difference in creating a healthy, productive environment for everyone.

01Ergonomic Furniture

During the pandemic, I realized how often we overlook ergonomics when creating a healthier home environment. As interior designers, we play an important role in this by choosing furniture that’s not only stylish but also comfortable and supportive. For example, tables with adjustable heights and chairs with features like lumbar support, adjustable backrests, or armrest heights can reduce physical strain and make it easier to stay comfortable throughout the day.

02 – Natural Lighting and Ventilation

Daylighting is just as important as artificial lighting in the home. According to WELL, a home should have at least 8% glazing (windows) in the regularly used areas, meaning windows should cover at least 8% of the room’s floor space. The more natural light, the better, as it helps improve overall well-being. Essentially, all main rooms should have at least one window, and nothing should block the window area by more than 3 feet. 

To wrap things up, integrating WELL principles into our homes isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about creating spaces that truly support our health and well-being. When it comes to designing with WELL in mind, I’ve learned that the best approach is to start small. Simple changes like opening your windows more often for fresh air, adding air-purifying plants, or replacing harsh lighting with warmer, dimmable options, can have a big impact. Every little step brings us closer to a healthier, more comfortable living space.

What’s one design change you’d make to a space to not only reflect your personal style but also boost health and well-being? I’d love to hear your ideas—let’s share tips and explore how we can inspire wellness through design, together.

References: WELL for Residential, September 2024

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