Announcements August 15, 2024

Meet Elly Hall, an E. Todd Wheeler Health Fellow, Class of 2025

Elly will be based out of the Minneapolis Studio

Where are you from?
Antigo, Wisconsin. Famously home to Wisconsin’s state soil…

What is your degree, and what institution is it from?
Master of Architecture from Clemson University with a concentration in Architecture+Health, and Bachelor of Science in Biology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Why is healthcare design so important to you and why did you want to pursue a career in healthcare design?
I started my career in health-related fields—from public health to healthcare operations—before practicing design. As a problem-solver and strategist, I’m intellectually attracted to healthcare design because of its complexity and wicked problems. Emotionally, I’m drawn to healing design because of its deep impact; it’s often where we have our happiest and most stressful moments. It’s a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to empathetically design healing spaces for all!

Spring comprehensive studio project that designs a critical access hospital in rural Minnesota.

The design responds to the assets and challenges of rural health with solutions that integrate structure, ventilation, and lighting.

What was it about the E. Todd Wheeler Health Fellowship that attracted you?
The fellowship is a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience integrating research into architectural practice while still growing as a designer. Perkins&Will has a long tradition of rigorous practice-based research with a human-centered approach. I’m thrilled to join the team and learn from a diverse field of experts, all focused on designing for the greater good.

What does it mean to you, personally, to have been selected as a health fellow at our firm?
I’m grateful for the chance to deepen my understanding of evidence-based design interventions for better health. Getting the space, time, and resources to innovate and contribute to a community of designers is an incredible opportunity.

What do you hope to learn from the experience?
I hope to learn from multiple disciplines on creating healing environments. This not only includes commercial healthcare facilities but also influencing health at the individual and social scales in all places

Elly and Amy Williams, the Midwest Regional Health Practice Leader, collaborating.

Have your mentor and colleagues given you the support, training, and resources to accomplish your goals?
While only in the office for one week, I’ve already received support from many people. I’m looking forward to continued mentorship from individuals in multiple offices and roles that support my future as a leader and my current growth needs as an early-career designer.

What anticipated goals and experiences were you most excited about when joining Perkins&Will?
I’m most excited to learn and continue building my expertise in designing for health. The fellowship is an incredible opportunity to dig deeper into questions and explore them through evidence-based practices. I’m looking forward to tackling real-world issues and addressing them in a meaningful way.

How would you describe Perkins&Will’s company culture?
Curious, collaborative, and engaged.

5 Fun Facts About Elly

In addition to design, I enjoy many types of making. I built a small timber-frame cabin in northern Wisconsin with my husband. It’s been an evolving lesson in the significance of memory, place, and the technical requirements of building.
While studying abroad in undergrad, I hitchhiked from northern Spain to Paris and back with my friend. We met the most incredible people along the way.
I was recently inspired by a classmate to practice photography. We took daily breaks from our studio work and used a disposable camera to photograph small moments while walking. Developing the film at the end of the semester was the perfect cap to the year.
I enjoy travel; my favorite experience was living and working in the Andes of Peru for 7 months.
Outside of work, I enjoy anything outdoors. My hobbies have brought me experiences in winter camping, bikepacking across the Utah desert, trail running in Montana, and canoeing in the boundary waters.

Meet Elly Hall, an E. Todd Wheeler Health Fellow, Class of 2025

Related Content