1. The Human Well-being in Architecture
The way that we eat we become is the way we live in space. We become like it (Mentally)! This is true that the more one lives in the type of space, that environment has a similar impact on one’s brain. When spaces are designed according to human psychology, the health and wellbeing of human has certain stimuli with the environment and vice versa. In the book Eyes of the Skin by Juhani Pallasma, wherein he mentioned how sensorily architecture has a great impact on human senses. Therefore the psychological aspect needs to be catered to in every design. For example, if one stays in the dark crunched room for years, that person will be sick all around his life, but if a person has a workplace with a pleasant atmosphere, daylight, greenery, and decent ventilation, this will automatically boost his/her productivity.
For instance, fundamental workplace practices exist to enhance coworkers’ well-being. By maximizing each person’s spatial experience, adaptable rooms and furniture may offer a range of layouts that foster more creativity and help make work less repetitive. So that individuals may select the ideal location for each unique situation and activity, it is crucial to have both areas for social contact and spaces for solitude. In addition, elements like biophilia, which goes beyond aesthetics to include the soothing and healing properties of the color green, and the construction of outdoor spaces are crucial in increasing the quality of the environment, which improves people’s moods and moods health.
Not just interiors but urban environments as well are covered by this. We may go deeper into the psychology of size to better understand how the interaction between people and buildings impacts society by starting with how public space relates to mental health. In cities, “the perception of comfort and wellbeing is directly related to how city form and space fit with the human body, human senses, and appropriate spatial proportions and scale,” says Jan Gehl. It is also important to note that, to create a healthy city, the relationship between urban planning and public health is crucial, taking into account the significance of trees as public health infrastructure, as numerous studies have demonstrated that plants are incredibly beneficial in terms of lowering the rates of various diseases.
The comprehensive design strategy for the Architecture of Well-Being is guided by six core principles: Accessing Nature, Movement, Nutrition, Air Quality, Decentralization, and Trust. The concepts start by focusing on individual health before scaling up to the city’s health.
2. Nutrition
Nutrition, health, and cognitive function all have direct beneficial relationships.
For Individuals
Cost, availability, convenience, and societal standards are all barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable intake. There are several possibilities to get beyond these obstacles at work.
Strategies consist of:
- With the use of touchless technology, advanced ordering, and daily reminders, public spaces like kitchenettes and cafés may provide free fruits and vegetables.
- A healthy meal, snack, and beverage alternatives can be encouraged via educational signs at points of choice.
- In addition to eliminating or reducing Trans fats, artificial additives, processed products, preservatives, and excess salt and sugar, organizations can set nutrition guidelines that put a priority on nutrition.
- Touchless water stations that provide naturally flavored water can be used in place of beverage vending machines in organizations.
- By offering incentives like monetary bonuses, recognition programs, or employee competitions, organizations may encourage employees to choose healthy diet .
3. Air quality | Health and Wellbeing
Air Quality Of the communities questioned for the Take Care New York 2020: Community Health Priorities campaign, 50% named air quality as their top health issue.
For Individuals
Poor ambient air quality was shown to be a bigger factor in the COVID-19 mortality rate than prior conditions, socioeconomic level, or access to healthcare, according to a new Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study.
The majority of the steps we may take to improve IAQ are focused on HVAC systems. We can look at:
How much is more fresh air delivered beyond the required amount? What is the best combination of energy utilisation and filtration? Can we sanitise the area?
Are we thinking about operable facades with natural ventilation?
How sophisticated are the systems? Are they equipped to react quickly to changing climate?
Other interior environment methods for a good human health and wellbeing include:
Choose plants that work well as bio-filters and include additional biophilic components in the environment.
List the furniture and construction materials with the lowest emissions.
Give stakeholders all the resources they need for effective green cleaning initiatives.
4. Accessing Nature
For Individuals
We can match each client’s purpose and values with biophilic design strategies for buildings. These tactics consist of the following:
- Areas outside that are active.
- Organic shapes for buildings.
- Living interior walls that bring nature inside.
- Wood and stone are examples of natural materials.
- Daylight and views of the outside in all directions.
For Cities
Access to greater green space favours people’s general fitness levels, community cohesiveness, and climate regulation. Crime is inversely correlated with exposing city inhabitants to nature. Crime rates decrease as nature increases.
Strategies consist of
- To promote curiosity, involvement, biodiversity, and habitat restoration, create additional parks with a variety of native plants.
- Investigate the synergistic potential of “complete streets” that promote secure mobility for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, bicycles, and users of public transportation.
5. Movement | Health and Wellbeing
Design initiatives that promote daily exercise can aid in the prevention of chronic health issues while boosting the resilience of both individuals and communities.
For Individual
The new smoking, sitting? We are aware that prolonged sitting has several harmful effects on our health. Sedentary people are more likely to develop hypertension, excessive blood sugar, and obesity. Poor outcomes for COVID-19 patients are frequently correlated with these similar problems.
We use active design features to remove obstacles to movement in the workplace.
Strategies consist of:
- “Irresistible staircases” are noticeable, intuitive, and given life by vistas and daylight. Widening them allows for physical separation and encourages unplanned accidental meetings between knowledge workers.
- Giving workers a variety of workplace options frees them up to work in various places throughout the day.
- Sit-to-stand workstations and walking pads are examples of alternative workplace alternatives that promote movement.
Conclusion | Health and Wellbeing
The future of human well-being is highly responsible for the architecture created around it. Any space that is taking birth should be very sustainable and should be user-friendly at its core. More than the physiological aspect, mental wellbeing is of great importance. Therefore the first thought should be how the users will utilise this space and the aesthetics part of it. As technological advancements are taken further, the importance of designing spaces with innovations and comfort plays a vital part.
Citations:
1) Bandara, Dilanka. “Use of Wood and Plants in the Interior Spaces,” Archdaily.com, 21 Aug. 2021, www.archdaily.com/967003/architecture-and-health-how-spaces-can-impact-our-emotional-well-being. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
2) Lorena Darquea. “The House of Silence,” Archdaily.com, 28 Aug. 2021, www.archdaily.com/967003/architecture-and-health-how-spaces-can-impact-our-emotional-well-being. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
3) Frameweb. “WPP Open Mind Lobb,” Frameweb.com, 16 Oct. 2019, www.frameweb.com/project/wpp-at-3-world-trade-center.
4) HOK. “Hong Kong Tamar Government Lawn,” Hok.com, www.hok.com/ideas/research/the-architecture-of-well-being/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
5) “WPP Community Town Hall,” Hok.com, www.hok.com/ideas/research/the-architecture-of-well-being/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
6) HOK. “AstraZeneca SSF Café,” Hok.com, www.hok.com/ideas/research/the-architecture-of-well-being/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
7) HOK. “Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital,” Hok.com, www.hok.com/ideas/research/the-architecture-of-well-being/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
8) HOK. “Lendlead Office Area,” Hok.com, www.hok.com/ideas/research/the-architecture-of-well-being/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
