Kitchen & Bath Business November/December 2021 - 40

HO T T OPIC
Wellness in the Home
How design professionals can positively
affect the health of their clients
DURING THE PANDEMIC, our awareness has
sharpened, and we have questioned what our
homes mean and what they should do for us. We
have recognized that our spaces need to be fl exible,
effi cient and adaptable for multitasking, and
they need to function well and keep us safe. It is no
longer good enough for our homes to look nice;
they need to help us feel good, too. Homes have
evolved from being somewhere to eat and sleep
into a place of growth, productivity and refl ection.
Design choices can aff ect our well-being, and
therefore the urgent need to think about the future
begins now. It makes sense then that more residential
designers incorporate wellness into their
scope of work. Today, we are experiencing a shift
in design as it converges with sciences. Architects
and designers alike are leveraging neuro aesthetics,
the study of how the mind processes and responds
to beauty, and they are using sensory design or
evidenced-based design for progressive conditions
like dementia and autism. Professionals in
the built environment have the potential to think
beyond a mere box to solve worldly problems -
especially in the present era where the sense of
being, thoughtfulness and wellness is primary.
BIOPHILIA PLAYS A KEY ROLE
IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS DESIGN
Th ere are numerous ways a design professional can
play with space that can help heal its users. First is
the incorporation of biophilia and the direct connectivity
with nature that hits the neuroreceptors
of the brain and helps calm a person down. Biophilia
is the theory that people possess an inherent
affinity to nature, which developed during the
long course of human evolution. In recent years,
scientifi c studies have identifi ed that this affi nity
to nature is a vital component to our health and
well-being, supporting a feeling of relaxation and
thus producing higher levels of serotonin. Our
experiences with nature reduce stress, improve
cognitive function and enhance mood and creativity.
Th us, thoughtful, innovative design incorporating
biophilia can shape how we feel and what we
experience within a physical space. Apart from
this, focusing on factors such as natural light, ventilation
and playing with the scale and perspective
of space can further enhance the appearance.
40
RIGHT Doors and operable
windows bring both light
and fresh air into a kitchen,
while providing a view of the
landscape. Photo by slavun /
Adobe Stock
HEALTH BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN
According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people
- about 15% of the global population - live with some type of disability. In
most recent years, research has emerged that highlights the importance of
promoting health through design for people with disabilities and/or progressive
conditions.
Universal design is an important aspect that needs our utmost attention.
Since this concept follows the principles of equality, it off ers a wide range of
solutions for almost everyone on the planet. Whether the clients are temporarily
or permanently disabled, the designer must look through their eyes
to design an empathetic yet sensory space. Universal design expands beyond
basic structural access to include design strategies that support mental health
and off er collaborative spaces to foster social cohesion and wellness spaces to
promote physical and emotional well-being.
WELLNESS DESIGN CONSIDERS AIR, LIGHT, ACOUSTICS AND COLOR
Diving further into the details, material specifi cations can help spruce up a
space in terms of healing and wellness. Mainly, contribution toward air quality
standards and banning smoke and materials like asbestos may improve
air quality and lead to a healthy environment. Abiding by the Public Health
standards and maintaining minimum requirements in terms of VOC limits
for interior paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, insulation and even fl ooring
used, a design pro can help foster a clean and healthy environment.
Apart from VOCs, an architect must design a space keeping in mind ample
ventilation, humidity control and even a cleanable environment. Mainly,
avoid the use of wall-to-wall carpeting and only use materials that have hard
surfaces with easier cleaning abilities.
Another way an architect can design for wellness is by considering the
By LINDA KAFKA,
WELL AP, CLIPP,
CAPS, manager of the
Livable Environment Inc.
aspects of sound and light in a building. In compliance with local or standard
requirements, it is a must that the designer further specifi es ergonomic
furniture that can give long-term benefi ts to its users.
Moreover, the use of color signifi cantly infl uences well-being. Many
designers are aware that there are certain colors and patterns that intrigue
a human brain; for instance, reds symbolize anger and energy, while blue
symbolizes calm and peace. However, the conversation with clients about
their love for the long-trending colors of gray and neutrals still remains an
obstacle for most designers.
Undoubtedly, design pros have a bigger role to play in impacting the health
and well-being of their clients. In the end, the things that transform a space
into a home are not only the personal touches but also ensuring your designs
improve the wellness aspects, too.
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/ NOV.-DEC. 2021 / KBBONLINE.COM / Th e offi cial publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)

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Kitchen & Bath Business November/December 2021

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