An Introduction

Lida Lewis

PASSIONATE DESIGNER

EDUCATOR | THOUGHT LEADER

Wellbeing Design | An Introduction

goal curve 5 - conventional and responsi

In our environment there exist influencing factors that can range in impact from negative, or pathogenic, to positive, or salutogenic. Pathogens in our environment are detrimental to health. Salutogenesis, a term coined by Aaron Antovsky in 1979 when studying women who demonstrated particular resilience in the face of extreme negative environments in the Nazi concentration camps of WWII, instead has us look to the ‘origins of health’, and additionally brings to our thinking the idea that the way people view their life has a positive influence on their health.

When we use these terms as opposing stages on an impact scale, using this to analyze the current state of wellbeing in the built environment, and delve into the potential impact of wellbeing in design, we can see that there is an impact curve similar to that posited in literature regarding energy use impacts. As with net zero energy buildings, a building in which true wellbeing is possible will fall on a scale of environmental impact wholly beyond the point at which we “do no harm” in the environmental impacts we bring to bear upon the occupants of the built environment.

At present, we have not yet crossed this threshold, and rather are building environments within which pathogenic influences--carcinogenic materials, endocrine disruptors in our water supply, respiratory pollutants in our air, and more--have not yet begun to be understood, let alone fully controlled. When we cross the point of doing no harm, there will still be further positive influences we may have as designers upon the built world to not only eliminate harmful elements, but to go further to enable a world in which design is a tool to repair our environment. In these environments, our designs will provide true respite and regeneration, and themselves be a positive agent and force in driving population health.

We can further illustrate the path we will take by mapping the ideas of health, wellness, and wellbeing against a structure modeled after Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Just as in Maslow’s hierarchy, a solid foundation in basic health will be necessary for us to reach the pinnacle of true wellbeing. Health, therefore, is not our goal--not just “the absence of disease or infirmity”, but rather a higher and fuller realization of a supportive and regenerative environment.

At its base, we begin with physiological health. In this realm, we begin with the basic access to healthy food, warmth, and opportunities for rest and respite. Here we might architecturally begin to tackle issues of audial, olfactory, and thermal comfort, among others.

Next we tackle safety--actually eliminating the pathogens and threats in the environment is a key starting point here. To further this, we additionally need to create feelings of safety and security. Elimination of dead end corridors, dark and unused spaces, poor ergonomic support, and others reside here.

Then we move on to belonging and providing opportunities for true interpersonal connection. At this level we begin to move beyond the needs of the individual and interweave them into a larger whole with awareness and opportunity for building community. And in part, a feeling of community will be dependent on having the space to meet to establish this community. Site investigations which take into not just physical, but also interpersonal connectivity, will also be instrumental here.

With a community connection established, we can then move even higher to fostering feelings of esteem, including feelings of confidence and respect, as well as true transparency. In such an environment, occupants will feel a vital connection to the project at hand, engaging in integrative design processes which take all stakeholders into account.

When we reach wellbeing, we will be creating spaces which foster self-actualization, with deep and profound sense of meaning. The environment will connect with the needs of all stakeholders, interconnecting them in a place which visually and figuratively communicates and promotes feelings of authenticity, inspiration, and empowerment.

In moving beyond conventional design, we will need to take a holistic approach, including:

Viewing the built environment and building operations as tools for health and promoters of positive behaviors
Evaluating all interventions through the lens of documented scientific and medical research
Exercising the precautionary principle in evaluating risk assessments
Using a performance-based framework to measure and evaluate impact
Embracing an aspirational mindset