ESG FACTOR
Buildings and mental health
Building professionals are actively introducing features for sustainable buildings such as natural ventilation and lighting, noise control, water saving – but there is usually no deep focus of how the spaces can affect mental health.
"We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us," mused Winston Churchill in 1943 while considering the repair of the bomb-ravaged House of Commons.
In recent years, however, numerous studies have confirmed that architecture not only contributes to physical health through ergonomics but also affects our emotional comfort. The WELL and Fitwel standards already have criteria for the most favourable characteristics of buildings for psychological health. We now know, for example, that buildings and cities can affect our mood and well-being, and that specialised cells in the hippocampal region of our brains are attuned to the geometry and arrangement of the spaces we inhabit.
In recent years there have been many studies confirming that buildings also affect our emotional comfort – here are a few aspects of this influence:
In recent years there have been many studies confirming that buildings also affect our emotional comfort – here are a few aspects of this influence:
Flexibility and visual complexity
In workspaces versatile spaces and furniture can allow more creativity and also contribute to making work less monotonous by optimizing each person's spatial experience. Creating spaces for interaction as well as spaces for isolation is essential, so people can choose the best space for each specific moment and activity. Creation of outdoor areas also plays a fundamental role in improving the quality of the space, which consequently improves people's mood and health. This also applies to urban areas, not only interiors.
According to research, if the façade is complex, it affects people in a positive way; negatively if it is monotonous. The Barbican Centre in London, for example, combines strict brutalist architecture with visual diversity – there are many green plants on the façade, an artificial pond and varied building elements that feel comfortable to the human eye and mind. Below are photos of the Barbican center in London illustrating visual diversity principle.
In workspaces versatile spaces and furniture can allow more creativity and also contribute to making work less monotonous by optimizing each person's spatial experience. Creating spaces for interaction as well as spaces for isolation is essential, so people can choose the best space for each specific moment and activity. Creation of outdoor areas also plays a fundamental role in improving the quality of the space, which consequently improves people's mood and health. This also applies to urban areas, not only interiors.
According to research, if the façade is complex, it affects people in a positive way; negatively if it is monotonous. The Barbican Centre in London, for example, combines strict brutalist architecture with visual diversity – there are many green plants on the façade, an artificial pond and varied building elements that feel comfortable to the human eye and mind. Below are photos of the Barbican center in London illustrating visual diversity principle.
Perception of scale
While technologies have allowed us to build large, huge built-up areas created cold, impersonal, and formal environments.
Smaller scales produce warmth and closeness – it is easier for us to be around low-rise buildings.
Dictating our city experience, scale, this major spatial component related to the human dimension, stimulates our senses, and influences our well-being. In the introduction of Cities for People, Jan Gehl stated clearly that most cities have neglected the human aspect when planning the built space. While technologies have allowed us to build large, our focus shifted from creating architecture for humans to erecting structures that look like they are meant for a different kind of species. As most of our cities are largely built and the big bulk of large scale projects are already in place, the only way to have an impact and fix what has already been done, is through intervention on the quality of the human landscape, reducing visual dimensions, and establishing approachable spaces.
While technologies have allowed us to build large, huge built-up areas created cold, impersonal, and formal environments.
Smaller scales produce warmth and closeness – it is easier for us to be around low-rise buildings.
Dictating our city experience, scale, this major spatial component related to the human dimension, stimulates our senses, and influences our well-being. In the introduction of Cities for People, Jan Gehl stated clearly that most cities have neglected the human aspect when planning the built space. While technologies have allowed us to build large, our focus shifted from creating architecture for humans to erecting structures that look like they are meant for a different kind of species. As most of our cities are largely built and the big bulk of large scale projects are already in place, the only way to have an impact and fix what has already been done, is through intervention on the quality of the human landscape, reducing visual dimensions, and establishing approachable spaces.
Public spaces
The lack of attractive public spaces due to dense development, creates a sense of isolation for residents, and a higher crime rate, which reduces the sense of security.
The main trigger appears to be what researchers call "social stress" – the lack of social bonding and cohesion in neighbourhoods.
The lack of attractive public spaces due to dense development, creates a sense of isolation for residents, and a higher crime rate, which reduces the sense of security.
The main trigger appears to be what researchers call "social stress" – the lack of social bonding and cohesion in neighbourhoods.
Clear navigation and accessibility
Unclear navigation in the building or in the streets makes you feel "lost", which causes stress and anxiety.
It's also important to implement the universal design – to make the space comfortable for people of all groups. For example, entrance doors should be wide enough to allow those in wheelchairs, people carrying luggage, people with assistance pets.
Unclear navigation in the building or in the streets makes you feel "lost", which causes stress and anxiety.
It's also important to implement the universal design – to make the space comfortable for people of all groups. For example, entrance doors should be wide enough to allow those in wheelchairs, people carrying luggage, people with assistance pets.
Biofilic design - includes direct connection to nature through plants, light and nature scenes and indirect - through use of natural materials, patterns and colours.
Plants are reducing the rates of depression, asthma, and heart disease. Another oft-replicated finding is that having access to green space such as woodland or a park can offset some of the stress of city living.
Plants are reducing the rates of depression, asthma, and heart disease. Another oft-replicated finding is that having access to green space such as woodland or a park can offset some of the stress of city living.
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Reliable team of professionals, with experience of certifying
more than 5 000 000 sqm BREEAM / LEED projects globally
more than 5 000 000 sqm BREEAM / LEED projects globally
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For new construction and buildings in operation
For new construction and buildings in operation
- Preliminary assessment
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Scientific approach to design.
Scientific approach to design.
- Energy efficiency modeling
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- Life cycle assessment (LCA)
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If you work with the building during the certification process, we are always ready to support you!
- BREEAM / LEED / WELL workshops for the team - online or in your office
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