More and more businesses are seeing the connection between wellness and sustainable design strategies. While historically, this concept has been applied mainly in the medical setting, the application of sustainable design to commercial and residential spaces is increasing, as architects and designers are starting to recognize the importance of not just meeting the needs of today, but also looking to the future. Here, we’ll explore the various ways that sustainable design contributes to our collective wellness and how it can potentially help to reduce long-term health issues for individuals living in sustainable buildings.
Sustainable Design Emphasizes Comfort & Health
At its core, sustainable design seeks to minimize human impacts and to reduce energy and resource consumption. This philosophy applies not only to the construction of buildings, but to how the building functions in regards to occupant comfort and health. For example, the utilization of natural sunlight and indoor air quality improvement can significantly contribute to the overall wellness of building occupants. Additionally, sustainable design principles like minimizing water usage and hazardous material exposure are designed to keep occupants healthier.
Wellness-Focused Sustainable Design
From healthcare facilities to corporate offices and educational campuses, sustainable design is becoming more and more of a priority. Architects and designers are beginning to incorporate wellness-focused elements into their designs. This can include areas designed specifically to reduce stress, such as outdoor seating areas, nature-inspired aesthetics and natural light sources, or lighting design which supports the body’s circadian rhythm and hormone production.
Benefits of Wellness & Sustainable Design
By creating spaces that are both energy-efficient and supportive of occupant well-being, there are numerous potential benefits. These include:
Increased productivity and creativity
Reduced stress levels
Improved mental health
Reduced energy consumption
Reduced waste production
It’s important to note that energy efficiency does not always equate to improved lighting and air quality. While energy-efficient building design is key to reducing environmental impact, it can also contribute to an increase in medical issues, such as headaches and respiratory issues, if occupant comfort is not taken into consideration.
Conclusion: Transforming Sustainable Design
As sustainable design continues to gain traction, the focus on occupant wellness will only increase. By understanding the various ways that our environment influences our health, architects and designers will be better equipped to create sustainable designs that prioritize long-term occupant health. Additionally, as businesses and governments move to support sustainable design initiatives, we can take comfort in knowing that occupant health and comfort are being taken into consideration.
