Congratulations to Erin Toy! She recently achieved the WELL AP Accreditation. We asked her a bit about why this is important.
Erin Toy, Associate IIDA, Allied ASID, WELL AP
Q: Why did you decide to take the WELL exam?
A: I have always emphasized client well-being as a vital component of every design, but I wanted the tools and framework to do so successfully. I found that the WELL Building Standard reinforces, validates, and enhances wellness values into the design process and outcomes. The designation of WELL AP also demonstrates my dedication to interior design and professional development, a goal that I knew would fit in nicely with the team at Holland Basham Architects.
Q: Why is this accreditation important to the interior design profession?
A: As designers, we use creativity, design, and problem-solving skills to improve the health, safety, and wellfare of people and the community. It is critical to think beyond the aesthetics and functionality of design to understand and react to how an environment impacts one’s well-being, especially in a post-COVID era.
Q: What is essential for our clients to know about WELL AP?
A: As a culture, we spend much of our time indoors; thus, prioritizing well-being is the right thing to do for people. WELL focuses on shaping the entire design process towards healthier outcomes during construction and after occupancy for building life-cycle and operations. Incorporating WELL elements into a design increases productivity, occupant satisfaction, and engagement because of the emphasis on health and well-being. Additionally, WELL decreases individual occupant medical costs, preventing chronic illnesses and disorders that stem from living and working in unhealthy spaces.
