Six approaches to achieving health through built environment, design & policy:
Safety
Architects’ professional responsibility is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Design—including active streets, thoughtful lighting strategies, and open sightlines—can protect people from more than physical harm; it can remove real and perceived impediments that cause anxiety, stress, and
psychological harm. Social Connectedness
People thrive on relationships with each other. Strong networks within our families, our friends, and our neighborhoods improve our happiness, our well-being, and our resilience. Design that encourages play, communal dining, and a friendly “hello” is fundamental to behaviors such as civic participation, voting, and helping neighbors. Environmental Quality
Architects aren’t green scientists, but the places and spaces they design may mitigate or reverse quantifiable chemical and microbial site, water, and air pollutants that directly and indirectly affect human health. From clean energy to smart material selections, the decisions architects make matter. Sensory Environments
Beyond appearance—the visible beauty of an architect-designed space—people experience the built environment through touch, sound, smell, and even taste. Design that embraces varied sensory experiences including circadian rhythms, thermal and acoustic controls, and meditative labyrinths promote mental and emotional well-being, improve quality of life, and predict improved physical health. Physical Activity
Architects should design myriad opportunities for exercise, recreation, and more active daily experiences including labor, chores, and commutes. Promoting individual choice through multi-modal transportation, varied and highly-accessible parks, and appealing stairs are small steps to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems. Architects can harness the power of natural systems, including natural forms, diverse species, and calming vistas, to support healthy food production, to provide stress relief, and to improve human performance, especially in periods of intense stress.
