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Wellbeing Designs Studio Architecture
Our Practice

Wellbeing-Led Architecture, Rooted in Care & Responsibility

Wellbeing Designs is a studio-led architectural practice focused on creating environments that support health, dignity and quality of life.

Our work is grounded in the belief that architecture has a responsibility beyond form and function.

The spaces we design shape how people feel, heal, connect and live — particularly in care, later living, residential and community settings, where design decisions have a direct impact on everyday experience.

We work thoughtfully across new build, adaptation and retrofit projects, bringing clarity, care and practical expertise to complex and sensitive briefs.

Julie Smyth - Architect
Our Founder

Julie Smyth

Architect & Principal Designer

Wellbeing Designs was founded by Julie Smyth, an architect whose work is shaped by a belief that sensitively designed environments can genuinely change lives.

Julie has developed a deep specialism in healthcare, social care and later living architecture, with a particular focus on environments for people living with dementia, autism and other complex needs. Her approach is rooted in human-centred and biophilic design — creating spaces that support dignity, comfort, connection and wellbeing across the life course.


Experience Rooted in People & Place

Julie’s experience spans a wide range of care and community settings, including award-winning projects such as The Chocolate Works Care Village in York, recognised for transforming perceptions of care environments, and Grove House in Harrogate, a pioneering intergenerational project exploring shared environments for children and older adults.

These projects, alongside many others, have reinforced a consistent lesson: when architecture is thoughtfully designed around the people who use it, it can foster independence, reduce anxiety, strengthen relationships and support everyday wellbeing.

Julie is currently working as project lead on Wetherby Care & Retirement Village with Springfield Healthcare Group, where she is also undertaking the Building Safety Act Principal Designer role. The project combines care accommodation and retirement living with shared community spaces, placing staff wellbeing, connection to nature and intergenerational interaction at the heart of the environment.

Est. 2024

Founding Wellbeing Designs

In October 2024, Julie founded Wellbeing Designs to create a studio-led practice aligned with her values: ethical design, social responsibility, and a commitment to putting people first.

The practice works across care, later living, residential, retrofit, and community projects, combining technical rigour with empathy and collaboration. Julie established Wellbeing Designs to allow space for a more thoughtful, wellbeing-led approach to architecture—one that balances viability, safety, and regulation with genuine human need.

Wellbeing Designs operates as a RIBA Chartered Practice and is accredited by the Good Business Charter, reflecting a commitment to professional integrity, sustainability, and responsible business practice.

  • RIBA Chartered Practice
  • Good Business Charter Accredited
  • Member of the Institute of Directors

Julie’s membership in the Institute of Directors reinforces her commitment to responsible leadership, governance, and accountability within the built environment.

Architectural Plans and Studio Detail
Studio-Led & Collaborative

Considering Every Detail,
Valuing Every Voice

As a studio-led practice, we work closely with our clients and collaborators, valuing depth of engagement over volume of output. We see design as a collaborative process where clients bring deep operational realities, and we bring architectural insight.

Our role is often to help clarify complex challenges—balancing wellbeing, safety, sustainability and long-term value—and to guide projects with honesty and care.

Sector Experience & Focus
  • Care & Later Living
  • Residential & Home Adaptations
  • Retrofit & Improvement
  • Community & Charity
  • Wellbeing-Led Landscape

This sector focus allows us to work with confidence in regulated, sensitive and live environments, while maintaining a strong design ethos throughout.