According to the Global Wellness Institute, the UK is the 3rd biggest wellness real estate market in the world, with an average annual growth rate of 28% in the last 4 years. Consumers and the building industry increasingly understand the impact of environments on our physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Now more than ever, designing for wellbeing is of fundamental importance.
 
Wellbeing is not something we simply give to others; it is something we can promote and support using the building, and its interior, as a tool. For this to happen, we need to understand the specific needs of the people who will use the space.

Curated to provide experienced or newly qualified Interior Designers and Architects, the knowledge to create spaces that support occupant wellbeing. Dive into the art of creating spaces that inspire joy and harmony through in-depth lessons on lighting, air quality, biophilia, colours and much more.  

What to expect in each part of the course

  • PART 1 - PHILOSOPHY OF WELLBEING, COMFORT & PERFORMANCE

    This 5 lesson part includes an exploration of wellbeing, which elements of a human does it engage with, how we achieve it and its links to interior spaces. It also covers definitions of comfort, performance and how to go about actually targeting and measuring it through the design process.

  • PART 2 - PROCESS & METHODOLOGIES TO SUPPORT WELLBEING IMPLEMENTATION

    A 9 lesson part. Design is a process, so to achieve spaces that support wellbeing and productivity we need to follow some relevant processes and adopt a few new tools that help designers on the job. In Part 2 the course covers the tools and processes needed and explains how to adopt them in your day to day projects.

  • PART 3 - AESTHETIC DESIGN ISSUES

    This 11 lesson part of the course looks into all the aesthetic issues, guiding you through each and recommends how to apply them in your own projects. These include colour, texture, spatial volumes, elegance, balance and symmetry, shapes and patterns. You learn to direct the design towards supporting occupant wellbeing.

  • PART 4 - PHYSICAL DESIGN ISSUES

    This 12 lesson part helps designers to know the specific design decisions to look out for when designing for wellbeing. The focus is on issues such as air quality, including thermal comfort, air toxicity issues, air velocity, ventilation, lighting and illumination, planning and interior facilities.

  • PART 5 - VALUE AND MEASUREMENT

    The final 7 lesson section looks at what is 'value'. When designing for wellbeing, the focus of the conversation with clients and occupants changes from 'cost' to 'value'. The holy grail of converting the value on an interior space to a financial number is explained and the methodology shared.

  • EXAM & CERTIFICATE

    At the end of each Part you will find a short non-graded exam just to test yourself. If you wish to receive a Certificate of Completion the Final Exam needs to be passed. This is graded and has a 75% pass rate requirement. Good Luck!

User Profiles & Design for Wellbeing

Good interior design is not just about the look and feel of a space or if the project was delivered on time and within budget. It must also meet the needs of the occupants, those of the company and the community in which it sits within. A successful project should achieve all of these things...

There are no good or bad design features, but there is a good or bad fit.

Understanding the impacts on occupants’ wellbeing is important and part of the clarity sought on what works and what does not in an existing or proposed space.

As designers, getting to know who the design is catering for is half of the equation towards achieving a design that supports wellbeing. So during design brief and concept stages we want to look at and analyse all aspects of the user and the space.

In this course, we look at what User Profiles are, what they are used for, what is contained in them and how to create them. User Profiles are what put heart into our designs, what gives meaning to why we do what we do.


Don't miss the chance to dive into the DfW Journey

    1. Welcome Message

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Frequently Asked Questions

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Grigoriou Education Global Community!

    4. Expert Guidance

    5. Design for Wellbeing Guide

    1. Lesson Plan & Guidance

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Mindfulness exercise

    3. Lesson 1 - Wellbeing & Comfort

    4. Lesson 2 - Beauty & Harmony

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Lesson 3 - Performance & Productivity

    6. Lesson 4 - Design Characteristics & Issues

    7. Part 1 - Quiz

    1. Lesson 5 - User Profiles (Part 1)

    2. Lesson 6 - User Profiles (Part 2)

    3. Lesson 7 - Empathy & Environmental Psychologists

    4. Lesson 8 - Selecting & Assessing Buildings

    5. Lesson 9 - Entrance Design & User Experience

    6. Lesson 10 - Senses & Biophilia

    7. Part 2a - Quiz

    1. Lesson 11 - Aesthetic Overview & Design Fluidity

    2. Lesson 12 - Elegance & Elegant

    3. Lesson 13 - Balance & Symmetry

    4. Lesson 14 - Colour (Part 1 of 2)

    5. Lesson 15 - Colour (Part 2 of 2)

    6. Lesson 16 - Repetition & Patterns

    7. Lesson 17 - Shape & Proportion

    8. Lesson 18 - Volumes & Ceilings

    9. Lesson 19 - Symbolism

    10. Lesson 20 - Art in Interiors

    11. Lesson 21 - Materials & Textures

    12. Part 3 - Quiz

    1. Lesson 22 - Indoor Atmosphere & Thermal Comfort

    2. Lesson 23 - Thermal Comfort Design & System Considerations

    3. Lesson 24 - Ventilation & Humidity

    4. Lesson 25 - Air Quality

    5. Lesson 26 - Illumination & Light

    6. Lesson 27 - Daylight

    7. Lesson 28 - Artificial Light

    8. Lesson 29 - Space Planning (Part 1 of 2)

    9. Lesson 30 - Space Planning (Part 2 of 2)

    10. Lesson 31 - Acoustics for Wellbeing (Part 1 of 2)

    11. Lesson 32 - Acoustics for Wellbeing (Part 2 of 2)

    12. Lesson 33 - The importance of Controllability

    13. Part 4 - Quiz

    1. Lesson 34 - Soft Landings Framework

    2. Lesson 35 - Landlord Tenant & FM relationship

    3. Lesson 36 - Occupancy Surveys

    4. Part 2b - Quiz

About this course

  • £780.00
  • 58 lessons
  • 20-Hours CPD Certified
  • On Demand

Design Characteristics and Issues

When we design for wellbeing, we aim to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also healthy and comfortable. These spaces are intentionally designed to support physical, mental, and emotional comfort. Ultimately, the goal of designing for wellbeing is to provide individuals with the opportunity to make choices that support their own sense of wellness. By creating spaces that prioritise comfort and health, we can empower people to actively choose wellbeing in their everyday lives.

The perception of beauty, and thus, wellbeing, can be found in the detailed design characteristics and interior design components present within the environments we design.

By incorporating elements such as natural light, appropriate ventilation, ergonomic furniture, and harmonious colours, we can create environments that have a positive impact on people’s overall health, comfort and happiness. Designing for wellbeing goes beyond just the aesthetic aspects; it also considers factors like noise/stimulation, privacy/openess, and more or less access to nature.

Good design supports wellbeing and the real values for a wealthy life. We can do better in the way we use our built environment and how we live in interior spaces. They are tools for life so let’s make them work for us, for a good life worth living.

Maximize Your Learning Experience

Unlock the full potential of your course with these exclusive bonuses.

  • Expert Guidance

    Take full advantage of the course with two complimentary 30-minute sessions with our instructor, Inês Viana, designed to provide personalized guidance and help you maximize your learning experience. For those seeking deeper insights and more tailored support, you also have the option to book a one-hour paid session with our expert instructor, Elina Grigoriou.

  • Community

    Our courses give you access to an exclusive student community where you can connect, exchange ideas, and actively participate in discussions. Join the conversation on sustainability and take advantage of this opportunity to dive deep into meaningful exchanges with fellow students.

  • Learn Together

    Learning is more fun with a friend, and now you can share the experience! Purchase the course at full price and bring a friend for free. It’s the perfect opportunity to grow together, support each other, and make the most of your learning journey. This offer is not available with other promotions.

What our students say

"...The most surprising element has been how much it has enhanced my own sense of wellbeing..."

Emily Draper, Interior Designer

My aim of enrolling on the course was to develop knowledge and tools with which to turn the 'Design for Wellbeing' rhetoric into day to day practice. Undoubtedly, the course has given me an excellent springboard to do this. It's great to be able to revisit and dip in and out of sessions to refresh certain topics as and when needed. The most surprising element has been how much it has enhanced my own sense of wellbeing. The course has proved to be a productive focus. The meditation exercise and active listening session I have found immensely rewarding and utilised both in and outside of work with huge success. These skills alone have been invaluable. I work for an interior design practice that focusses on residential projects so it's been fascinating to see examples of Elina's design processes applied to commercial (as well as residential) contexts; this has encouraged me to think beyond the settings I'm more familiar with designing for thereby gently stretching my learning beyond the comfort zone! Despite not having a degree in interior design I found the content accessible and it has inspired me to deepen my knowledge of mindfulness as well as interior architecture. It has been an extremely useful learning opportunity.

"...The aesthetic and physical design issues are incredibly thorough and explained with ease..."

Rebecca Thomas, Interior Designer

I enrolled on the DfW course to gain a comprehensive and practical understanding of the interactions between wellbeing and interiors. The course has been a joy to engage with, I really look forward to sitting down to take a lesson, to take some time away from my busy everyday life to learn at my own pace about a topic which is arguably more important in the current climate than ever before. I like the option to pause or rewind to process the learnings more deeply, as well as the exercises to engrave the knowledge into memory. I have been studying across the world whilst on my travels, as well as back home in the UK, and have found the course to be an easy fit with my dynamic lifestyle. As long as you have a laptop/ mobile, and a pair of earphones, you can study almost anywhere! The course has enabled me to dive into the subject of design for wellbeing, with real-world examples and applications, which I am sure will support me on my journey to becoming an Interior Designer. The aesthetic and physical design issues are incredibly thorough and explained with ease, to ensure any student can grapple with the concepts. I would recommend this course to anyone developing a career in interiors, take the leap - you won’t regret it!

"...exceptional piece of training..."

Dr. Joe Croft, Head of Sustainability, Overbury & Morgan Lovell

Our team found the ‘Designing Wellbeing in the Workplace’ training days a really exceptional piece of training. The engaging approach initially de-constructed the fundamentals of wellbeing and then built up an array of tools and approaches for our designers to consider during future projects. Much of our team left the session feeling both energised and inspired by Elina’s passion for designing spaces which maximise occupant wellbeing.

"Interior design for wellbeing course... Absolutely fab!"

Christine Rockell

I attended the Interior design for wellbeing course a couple of years ago and it was a really great eye opener in terms of how to get to the core of what the client's need and about the processes to go through to get a really good understanding of their persona and journey in order to produce the best design for their space. I would highly recommend to any architect, designer or construction professional out there. Design is about people and we really need to dig deeper to produce the best human-centered design we possibly can. This course will no doubt provide you with the tools to do this.

Instructor(s)

Design & Sustainability Director Elina Grigoriou

Elina is a London-based interior designer, sustainability specialist and wellbeing expert. The co-founder of Grigoriou Interiors, one of the UK’s leading design and sustainability studios, she helps clients become the best they can be and get the most from their people and places. A powerhouse of inspiration and innovation, Elina has been leading and shaping the commercial interior design sector for the past two decades – creating spaces that unlock social and environmental value, make a meaningful impact on peoples’ lives and enhance clients’ financial bottom line. Working at the heart of the latest industry developments, Elina regularly partners with national and global institutions to raise awareness of designing for sustainability and wellbeing and to drive best practice within the built environment. She was instrumental in developing and establishing the SKArating system during its incubation at RICS from 2008-2023. Following its re-homing she has become a director and chair of the SKArating board. In recognition of her commitment to promoting sustainability within the property sector, she was awarded Honorary Membership to the RICS for life in 2017. Elina contributes to numerous industry standards around sustainability, Net Zero, circularity, wellbeing and relevant industry guides, was voted one of the Top 50 Rising Stars of Sustainability by Building magazine, and is regularly invited to offer expert opinion and speak at public events. In 2019, her book Wellbeing in Interiors was published by RIBA which has had a visible impact in shaping practise and inspiring others.

Elina's LinkedIn Profile