Work & Research

As simple as it is, human beings live through our senses as a means of relating to the outside world. Therefore, any factor in the environment that unsatisfactorily blocks or disturbs our sensory system will affect our health and performance. In this way, lighting, sound, air quality, and thermal comfort in buildings are, among others, important factors in the perception of interior space with an influence on our health, well-being, and performance. Research gives us knowledge to improve the world that surrounds us. Insights that matter for a healthy design.

The indoor spaces´s effects on “Health & Well-being”

Air

Natural Air – Ventilation

  • Pure Air quality – standards
  • Indoor pollutants
  • Air filtration

Evidence 1

Decreased air pollution could reduce the respiratory and cardiorespiratory diseases, health care costs, workforce productivity loss due to illness and increase life-expectancy for people.

1. World Health Organization. Frequently Asked Questions: Ambient and Household Air Pollution and Health. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press; 2014

Water

Water – Nourishment

  • Water contaminants
  • Drinking water promotion


Evidence 2

Being dehydrated by just 2% has been shown to impair cognitive performance.

2. Cognitive performance and dehydration. J Am Coll Nutr . 2012;31(2):71 78

Light

Lighting – Daylight and views

  • Visual comfort
  • Circadian lighting


Evidence 3

Disruptions to human circadian´s rhythm are linked with chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, and depression.

3. National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Circadian Rhythms Fact Sheet. Accessed December 1, 2016

Comfort

Thermal Comfort – Spatial Wellness

  • Psychological comfort
  • Mental performance

Evidence 4

A workplace that is too hot or too cold can cause a drop in productivity up to 9%.

4. Performance in office environment. 5th International Conference on Cold Climate Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning . Moscow, Russia

Active

Physical wellbeing – Active

  • Change behavioral
  • Reduce cardiovascular diseases

Evidence 5

Non-active individuals have about 20-30% higher risk of mortality compare to those who meet international recommendations.

5. World Health Organization. Physical Activity. 2015;http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs385/en/ en/. Accessed June 10

Mind

Mind – Nature Contact

  • Psychological comfort
  • Mental performance

Evidence 6

Exposure to views and images of nature can help to speed up healing and recovery time, boost positive feelings and reduce negative ones.

6. Marcus, C. C. & Sachs, N. A. Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence based Approach to Designing Healing. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons

Experience

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