In recent years, there has been a trend in architecture that prioritizes human wellbeing above mere aesthetics or immediate functionality.
This movement is known as wellness architecture—a design philosophy all about creating spaces that foster health, happiness, and harmony.
As people seek refuge from the daily grind of the modern world, we now crave environments that allow us to simply be. Let’s discuss how this emerging field is making us rethink how we interact with our environment.
What is Wellness Architecture?
Wellness architecture isn’t just an architectural style. It’s actually an interdisciplinary approach that integrates knowledge from different fields, such as:
- Environmental psychology;
- Biophilic design;
- Sustainable building practices;
- Medical research.
This is all in pursuit of a holistic approach to human wellness—to create environments that are not just conducive but also actively contribute to the occupant’s well-being.
This philosophy can be applied to a wide variety of spaces—from homes and offices to hospitals and schools.
It goes beyond creating merely functional structures and aims to create environments that actively reduce occupants’ stress, enhance their productivity, and encourage physical activity.
The Science Behind the Movement
Wellness architecture isn’t just some fancy trend. It’s backed by an increasing body of scientific evidence.
For example, being exposed to polluted air has been linked to a higher risk of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Meanwhile, poor lighting, high noise levels, and inadequate ventilation can all contribute to chronic stress levels and even cardiovascular diseases.
Exposure to nature and greenery—whether through indoor plants or outdoor views—helps reduce cortisol levels.
It’s obvious, if one thinks about it, that our internal states can be so heavily affected by our external environments!
Key Principles of Wellness Architecture
So, how does one build something according to the philosophy of wellness architecture? Below, we’ve outlined the five main characteristics of the philosophy.
1. Biophilic Design
At the core of wellness architecture lies biophilic design. This refers to the practice of connecting a space’s inhabitants with the natural environment in which it is placed.
This means including ways for people to directly access the greenery outside the structures. Or even having indoor nature-like features such as water installations, living green walls, and using natural materials like wood and stone.
After all, nothing compares to the soothing serenity of Mother Earth!
2. Air and Water Quality
Clean air and water are essential for physical health—and, consequently, mental wellbeing
Wellness architecture always aims to have HVAC systems that filter pollutants, regulate humidity, and ensure fresh and consistent airflow.
In the same vein, the use of water filtration systems ensures that occupants have access to safe, clean drinking water.
While these might seem like bare minimums (especially having drinking water), it’s worth reiterating that not everyone, especially in poorer areas, has constant access.
3. Lighting Design
Having good lighting is far more important than people often realize. Natural light is incredibly helpful for regulating circadian rhythms (which are responsible for our sleep cycles and even moods).
In wellness architecture designs, layouts aim to maximize natural daylight exposure. Artificial lighting systems that mimic sunlight can also be installed for nighttime activities.
4. Acoustics and Noise Reduction
Sound also plays a crucial role in mental wellness. As mentioned, too much noise tends to induce stress.
Soft furnishings, acoustic panels, and noise-insulating materials such as simple foam boards can help control sound levels, especially in urban environments or open-plan offices.
And, as much as possible, buildings need to include quiet spaces for relaxation and meditation. These are quickly becoming a staple in wellness-focused designs.
5. Flexible and Active Spaces
Encouraging movement is another key tenet of wellness architecture. To accomplish this, wellness architecture tends to have multi-use features and communal areas that promote physical activity throughout the day, even in traditionally sedentary environments like offices.
Examples include:
- Prominently placed staircases;
- Adjustable desks;
- Pleasant walking paths;
- Amenities such as gyms and yoga studios.
To encourage movement, these features need to be both accessible and pleasant to use.
Different Applications of Wellness Architecture
What does wellness architecture look like in action? Let’s take a look.
Wellness at Home
With the rise of remote work, the home has evolved to be both a workplace and a sanctuary. People now experience stress at home as they think about their jobs, worry about cybersecurity and use a VPN, and even get lonely due to the lack of socialization.
To remedy this, wellness architecture emphasizes including greenery, home gyms, meditation nooks, and natural ventilation when building houses.
Urban Wellness: Cities That Heal
Wellness architecture, however, is not confined to individual buildings. Urban planners are adopting its principles at the city level.
They endeavor to include:
- Green parks;
- Walkable streets;
- Bike lanes;
- Community gardens;
- Public libraries.
Cities like Singapore and Copenhagen are great examples of wellness architecture being implemented in urban life.
Technology Meets Wellness
While nature might seem like the core pillar of wellness architecture, technology also plays a supporting role.
Wellness architecture advocates for smart building systems that automatically perform air quality monitoring, lighting adjustment, and temperature regulation in real-time.
Touchless fixtures and antimicrobial surfaces are also being increasingly used in public buildings to reduce the spread of bacteria.
Even digital wellness is beginning to influence architectural decisions. Designers are now looking into ways to reduce digital fatigue through screen placement, blue light filters, and designated tech-free zones within homes and offices.
The Economic Case for Wellness Design
Doesn’t all this sound expensive, however? While it’s true that wellness-focused buildings may involve higher upfront costs, they often lead to more savings in the long run.
In offices, healthier occupants mean lower healthcare costs (fewer sick days) and increased productivity. In fact, a study by the World Green Building Council found that green, health-promoting buildings can enhance employee productivity by up to 11%.
For houses, homes designed with wellness in mind often command higher resale prices. And real estate developers are catching on as well. Wellness-focused amenities like rooftop gardens, air purification systems, and circadian lighting are now trendy to attract health-conscious buyers.
The Future of Wellness Architecture
Wellness architecture just might be the future. After all, with the rise of mental health awareness, and especially after the worldwide health scare of COVID-19, society is becoming more and more conscious of their well-being.
The rise of wellness architecture is of no surprise in light of this. We now have educational programs and professional certifications, such as the WELL Building Standard, that are institutionalizing this shift.
And who’s to say that it’s not for the better? After all, we deserve places where we can not just survive but also thrive.
