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WELL reports | 2022 | My role: Standard Development Intern for residential Evaluation | Focus: WELL Concepts
Problem Statement
Ensuring sustainable, and high-performing residential spaces requires rigorous testing and compliance with WELL Building Standards across 5 key areas: Air, Water, Light, Thermal Comfort, and Sound.
On-site verification of residential IEQ was taken over 2 months by WELL Certified Testing Agent (not me). However, existing performance data from multiple client projects was incoherent and unstructured, making it difficult to analyze trends and verify compliance with WELL’s sustainability benchmarks.
Data Management and Data Sets
Data Management and Data Sets
Reviewing Excel-based PV reports containing test values, site locations, and compliance thresholds.
Identifying duplicates, errors, and missing data across different WELL versions (WPR, V2, and V2 Pilot files).
Standardizing data to facilitate statistical analysis in SPSS/SAS and assisting data analysts in detecting discrepancies in air quality, water purity, sound insulation, thermal regulation, and lighting efficiency.
Data analysis for WELL Gold, Bronze and Gold Certifications and some recertifications.
By standardizing reports and eliminating inconsistencies, the project enhanced the ability to track environmental quality, optimize sustainability interventions, and improve occupant well-being in certified homes. The structured dataset now serves as a foundation for future WELL audits and research, supporting global initiatives in healthier, more sustainable living environments.
WELL reports | 2022 | My role: Standard Development Intern for UX evaluation | Focus: MIND and MOVEMENT Concepts
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The development of WELL Home Version 2 (v2) aimed to create healthier, more equitable living environments by integrating user feedback and inclusive design principles. A key challenge was ensuring that WELL standards addressed health disparities and were accessible, actionable, and beneficial for diverse populations, particularly those historically underserved.
DATA COLLECTION TEAM
Conducted user research through surveys, interviews, and stakeholder consultations to capture diverse perspectives on residential well-being.
Leveraged WELL’s Equity Rating framework, particularly its User Experience and Feedback (EE) feature, to guide engagement strategies and ensure continuous input from residents.
Used qualitative and quantitative data to assess barriers to equitable housing and inform the WELL Home v2 standards.
HEALTH EQUITY TEAM
Synthesized research findings to identify disparities in access to healthy living environments and recommended evidence-based interventions to bridge these gaps.
Worked with the Health Equity Team to ensure that WELL standards incorporated user-centered, equitable solutions that prioritized accessibility, usability, and cultural responsiveness.
Integrated occupant feedback mechanisms to support ongoing improvements in WELL Home v2, fostering a data-driven, iterative approach to health equity in residential spaces.
Finding 1: Walkscores
Issue: Low-income and historically marginalized communities often have lower Walk Scores, indicating reduced access to essential services such as grocery stores, healthcare, and parks.
UX/Health Equity Insight: Residents in areas with Walk Scores below 50 (car-dependent) reported higher transportation costs, limited physical activity, and increased reliance on fast food due to lack of grocery stores within walking distance.
Action Taken: WELL Home v2 standards recommended improved urban planning considerations, including incentives for mixed-use development and prioritizing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in underserved areas.
Finding 2: NDVI and Health
Issue: NDVI analysis revealed that neighborhoods with lower vegetation index scores had higher self-reported stress levels and poorer mental health outcomes compared to greener, wealthier areas.
UX/Health Equity Insight: Residents in areas with NDVI scores below 0.2 (indicating low vegetation coverage) reported feeling disconnected from nature, leading to higher perceived stress, lower mood, and reduced opportunities for outdoor activities.
Action Taken: WELL Home v2 emphasized green infrastructure improvements, such as urban tree planting programs and equitable access to nature-based interventions like community gardens and green roofs.
Finding 3: Acoustic Levels and Sleep disruptions
Issue: Higher nighttime noise levels (above 55 dB) in densely populated, lower-income areas were linked to sleep disturbances, increased stress, and cardiovascular risks.
UX/Health Equity Insight: Residents exposed to prolonged high noise levels reported difficulty falling asleep, lower sleep quality, and increased irritability, particularly in areas near highways, industrial zones, and high-density housing complexes.
Action Taken: WELL Home v2 integrated soundproofing recommendations, including affordable noise mitigation strategies, such as acoustic insulation, zoning regulations for high-noise areas, and enhanced building design to reduce external noise penetration.
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