Whether you’re aware of it or not, your immediate surroundings can have a big impact on your health and your mood. For example, have you ever spent a long period of time in a room with no windows? Or in an office that only had harsh, overhead fluorescent lighting?
Architects today put just as much emphasis on well-being as they do on design and aesthetics, and in fact, these elements often go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s designing your dream home or building a new office, great importance is placed on creating a space that is good for the physical and mental health of the employees, clients and visitors.
How Can Architecture Improve Health?
Wellness architecture focuses on creating spaces where people feel at ease. From choosing non-toxic paints to using acoustics that reduce noise, there are many ways architects build spaces that encourage health and wellness. Some of the most common ways are to:
Use daylighting to brighten a space.
There’s a reason so many office buildings have floor to ceiling windows, and there’s a reason why large windows in homes are so desirable. A growing body of research has shown that daylight encourages feelings of safety and alertness, increases comfort and productivity, and helps regulate our circadian rhythm. Also, more daylight means fewer artificial lights are needed, saving you energy and money.
Go touchless to limit the spread of germs.
Think about how many people touch high-traffic areas like office bathrooms and kitchens. Motion detection can help reduce the spread of germs, especially in crowded public places, on surfaces like soap dispensers, faucets, hand dryers, flush buttons on toilets, and even the bathroom door.
Some hi-tech offices even have touchless lighting and temperature controls that occupants can adjust using an app on their phone, so people won’t have to touch a singular control panel all day long.
Add biophilic design to reduce stress.
Biophilic design is a concept used by architects that aims to increase the connection to the natural environment by incorporating elements like rooftop gardens and living walls into the overall design. It’s long been known that using plants and other greenery in interior design has many positive effects on peoples’ physical and mental health, including reducing stress and improving air quality. And there are many options to choose from, including indoor potted plants, living walls, and even rooftop gardens where space is limited.
Ask your architect about incorporating design elements that encourage health and wellness. It’s important that we feel mentally and physically comfortable, especially in places where we spend a lot of time like at home and at work. Wellness architecture contributes to our overall well-being, so whether you’re renovating or starting from scratch, we recommend you work with an experienced architect who can guide you through this process.