Texas Tech student Elizabeth Perry becomes WELL AP to promote inclusivity in shared spaces
Explore how the WELL AP has helped college student, Elizabeth Perry, prepare to step out into the world of architecture and design.
Summer nights in Austin, Texas, are peppered with fireflies and a hazy heat that seems to hang in the air. Around campfires, kids come together to laugh, listen to scary stories and take in the wild nature around them. For Elizabeth Perry, growing up in Austin provided the backdrop for a lifelong dedication to helping others and would lead her to pursue a future focused on changing the world through design.
“I grew up in a family that was passionate about serving others. That passion led me to work many summers as a counselor for kids with special needs,” Elizabeth recalls. "My experiences there showed me how much living environments and public spaces could be improved to benefit people with special needs. Knowing there’s something I can do to improve someone’s life is what ultimately drove my love for design.”
After eight summers working as a counselor, Elizabeth enrolled at Texas Tech University. Her goal was to imagine spaces that would inspire, while also benefiting the well-being of the people who live, breathe and explore in those places.
“I’m an interior design major with a minor in architecture. I chose interior design because it has the potential to bring together my two main interests: working with people who have special needs and creating environments that are beautiful,” Elizabeth says. “I plan to specialize in healthcare design—specifically projects that deal with Disabled Access Design. And after obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I hope to get my masters in environmental design from Texas Tech as well.”
With an eye on health, wellness and artful interiors, Elizabeth sought out an intrepid way to bolster her education and plan for her future design career. She found the WELL AP credential.
Marrying wellness with interior design
The WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) credential isn’t just for established industry professionals. It helps current college students implement health and wellness strategies from the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI’s) WELL Building Standard (WELL) into their design work, marrying sustainability with artful interiors and healthy spaces. For Elizabeth, the WELL AP credential felt like the perfect fit.
“I decided to pursue the WELL AP credential because I want to equip myself with as much knowledge that I can,” Elizabeth stresses. “Knowledge is power, and this credential caught my interest because it relates to more than just the environment—it touches the people who inhabit those spaces. With this credential, I can walk into the design field ready to improve the way we care for people and the planet.”
As she explored all the WELL AP had to offer, Elizabeth began to rethink her own design efforts. Through evidence and research-backed strategies, she was able to confidently think about designing for health.
“Learning more about wellness and how buildings affect their people has definitely shifted the way I view design. Prior to studying for the WELL AP exam, I knew very little about the components of design that could assist in the well-being of others,” Elizabeth says.
Through health and wellness concepts that emphasize better air quality, more access to nature, the importance of circadian lighting design and the power of biophilia, Elizabeth unlocked several new pathways to bolster her already imaginative design.
Creating a future for health and wellness
As she continues her journey toward the WELL AP, graduating from college and entering the workforce, Perry is mindful of the progress she’s made and the opportunities to come. For her fellow design majors, she also offers some words of wisdom when pursuing the WELL AP. “Give yourself time. Study in the summer. Reward yourself,” she laughs.
“I understand that most college kids yearn for a school-free vacation during the summer, but setting aside a small portion of each day to study something that benefits the world and your future is very worthwhile. Becoming a WELL AP in college can give you foresight into what you want to do with your degree in the future.”
For Elizabeth, an emphasis on well-being means giving back to her community and serving a population of people who are not often acknowledged during the design process. But the WELL AP credential also signals her commitment to a way of life.
“To me, wellness means creating a lifestyle where your mental and physical health is prioritized. This means giving myself breaks during long hours of studying, it means taking into consideration the food I put into my body, and it means enjoying long hikes in the fresh air while spending time with friends,” Elizabeth says. “Ultimately, mental and physical wellness means taking the time to put others before yourself—serving others and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle.”
