From Home Wellness to Institutional Change: Why I Pivoted to Designing Healthier Workplaces and Schools
When I first began my journey in wellness, it was deeply personal. I was focused on helping individuals enhance their health and well-being within the comfort of their homes. That's when the Designing Wellness Podcast was birth.
However, over time, I realized that while individual efforts are important, the environments where we spend the majority of our waking hours, our workplaces and educational institutions, play a pivotal role in shaping our health outcomes.
Therefore, I made the shift.
Our daily routines are largely dictated by the spaces we inhabit. The average person spends approximately one-third of their life at work and another significant portion in educational settings. These environments significantly influence our physical health, mental well-being, and overall productivity. Recognizing this, I decided to pivot my focus towards transforming these spaces into wellness-centric environments that enhances your wellbeing and overall health.
Research demonstrates the profound impact that well-designed spaces have on our health and performance. Gensler's 2025 Global Workplace Survey highlights that employees in well-designed workplaces are nearly three times more likely to stay with their company, feel their contributions are valued, and believe their environment supports their growth Gensler.
Additionally, the WELL Building Standard provides a framework for creating environments that enhance human health and well-being. By focusing on aspects like air quality, lighting, acoustics, ergonomics, and access to nature, we can design spaces that promote physical and mental health.
This brings me to the next vital aspect of design.
Treating wellness as an infrastructure rather than an initiative means incorporating health-promoting features into the very fabric of our buildings. This approach includes:
Air Quality: Ensuring proper ventilation and minimizing pollutants.
Lighting: Maximizing natural light and using circadian-friendly artificial lighting.
Acoustics: Designing spaces to minimize noise distractions.
Access to Nature: Incorporating biophilic design elements.
Physical Activity: Providing spaces that encourage movement.
These elements are not just amenities; they are essential components of a healthy environment.
nvesting in wellness infrastructure yields significant returns. Gensler's research indicates that organizations with high-performing workplaces experience increased employee engagement, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced productivity Gensler. Moreover, spaces that prioritize wellness can command higher occupancy rates and rental premiums, as seen in markets like Washington, D.C., Boston, and Phoenix Gensler.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern life, it's imperative that we rethink how our environments influence our well-being. By focusing on designing workplaces and educational institutions that prioritize health, we can create spaces that not only support but enhance our daily lives.
If you're interested in learning more about how to transform your organization's spaces into wellness-centric environments, let's connect. Together, we can build healthier, more productive spaces for all.