Wellness and a healthy lifestyle are undoubtedly one of the dominant trends of the moment around the world. As awareness and attention to health increases, so does the demand for the buildings in which we live, work and play to be designed to improve health, mind and wellbeing. As the collective shifts towards a new model of holistic wellbeing, homes beautifully designed with wellness at their core and centred around a healthy lifestyle are becoming more important than ever. Here’s a look at three design approaches on the rise that are enhancing the health and well being of homeowners.
The Healing Use of Light
By now, we all know that low access to daylight can be detrimental to our health. Passive lighting, ample windows, or lighting that imitates daylight is not only an easy way to boost the general wellness of occupants but can also help to increase productivity. Wellness design expert, Vivianne Garcia-Tuñon of Wonder Flower Spa & Wellness, sees luxury homeowners taking advantage of light therapy methods currently being examined in the healthcare field to prevent wrinkles, heal joints and fight a cold, all from the comforts of home.
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A Mindful Kitchen
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Spaces that were just for cooking and eating are now being re-thought to promote life-enhancing daily habits and rituals. Simply put, people care more about the freshness and quality of their food, and our kitchens will increasingly be designed to store and even showcase fresh, organic products. Some changes we may see in coming years is are the walk-in pantry transforming into a walk-in hydroponic farm and large interactive centre islands with several designated stations for food prepping, cutting, and dehydration, an important method of cooking for vegans.
Merging Technology & Biophilic Design
New tech is developing that connects plants to computers to monitor things like daylight and air quality. Some designers are testing the intersection of architecture with other disciplines, such as microbiology or horticulture, to literally ‘grow’ building structures or graph tree cells onto a framework to create a living structure. Additionally, plants are showing up as finishes, vertical gardens, organic materials to replace synthetics and decor that use organic patterns (biophilia) and colour palettes to create a healthier environment and provide healthier spaces for people.
With more than 740 wellness real estate and community developments built or in development across 34 countries, according to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness is one of the fastest-growing trends in the building industry. As a result, expect to see even greater interest for wellness innovations as high-end home buyers search for a natural, holistic approach to achieve improved physical and mental health through their living environment.
Marvin E Flax
Latest posts by Marvin E Flax (see all)
- Seeing the Light - April 1, 2020
- Waking up to Wellness - December 5, 2019
- Post-Hurricane Caribbean Charm - August 1, 2019
- Tapping an Architect’s Expertise - May 25, 2018
- Progressing Restoration - February 1, 2018
