Researchers seek to harness architecture’s potential to promote health

Our homes, workplaces and the surroundings we encounter as soon as we step outside – we are constantly immersed in different types of built environments. There is now widespread awareness, backed by extensive research, that our living environments have a major impact on human health. However, not all health-related aspects are equally obvious or easy to measure, note researchers Paula Femenias, Hanna Morichetto and Marie Strid at Chalmers’ Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

“Things like air quality, acoustics and toxic substances are areas where we are good at measuring, understanding and regulating their effects. But there has been less research into instorative and restorative aspects – how the built environment can strengthen our capabilities or contribute to recovery and restoration. These are important aspects that deserve greater attention,” says Hanna Morichetto, architect and PhD who combines her research at Chalmers with work at the architectural practice Liljewall.

Hanna Morichetto believes it is clear that some health perspectives receive more attention than others.

“For noise, for example, there are clear threshold values to comply with. It is more difficult to safeguard qualities such as views and a sense of spaciousness, where there are no equivalent regulatory frameworks,” she says.

Growing knowledge – and competing priorities

Research into the impact of architecture on our health has made significant advances in recent decades. Knowledge and evidence have grown alongside new technological opportunities to measure and explain the health effects of factors such as daylight, greenery, access to social spaces and opportunities for privacy.

“Today, we understand so much more about the potential of the built environment to promote health than we did 20 years ago. Spending time in well-designed environments provides stimulation, which in turn helps build resilience in our brains. This should be a strong incentive for society when designing the environments in which we live our lives,” says Hanna Morichetto.

But what research tells us is one thing; the extent to which this knowledge influences planning and construction is another. The researchers point to several competing priorities that can arise when architectural considerations have to be balanced against society’s ambitions, ranging from building more homes and increasing urban density to making construction processes more efficient.

“One example of how well-being can be affected is the construction of small, single-aspect flats with less daylight and limited storage space. There is also an increased risk of overheating if flats are narrow and deep, with no possibility of cross-ventilation – particularly if a balcony is also enclosed with glazing,” says Professor Paula Femenias, who leads the research area Architectural Design & Transformation.

“The possibility of having a view can also be jeopardised when we build at high densities,” says Senior Lecturer Marie Strid. “It is not just about being able to see greenery, which we know has positive effects on our health, but also about having views in general and the opportunity to look into the distance. We are not designed to focus on things at the same distance all the time.”

Research needs to influence decision-making

In recent years, new legislation and regulations have allowed greater freedom in the design of homes. According to the researchers, this risks coming into conflict with important health considerations. One example is the revised daylight requirements in the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning’s new building regulations, which open up the possibility of constructing windowless rooms.

“When building new flats, there is always a struggle over space. At the same time, we need to take a health-promoting approach and build in flexibility and opportunities for adaptation and transformation. But this can be expensive. Research has generated so many insights and so much valuable knowledge over the years, but political guidance is needed to ensure that this knowledge makes a difference. I believe research needs to play a more prominent role in decisions concerning building legislation and regulations,” says Hanna Morichetto.

“Yes, as researchers, we take a long-term perspective, and we share our knowledge with the industry all the time. But ultimately, society must take responsibility for public health,” says Marie Strid.

The researchers also point to the many issues of equality and democracy involved in how and for whom we build. Research has an important role to play in bringing these issues to light.

“People with money have greater opportunities to choose where they live, and much of what we build is aimed at groups with greater purchasing power,” says Hanna Morichetto.

New challenges call for collaboration

The researchers see several emerging challenges that will bring the relationship between architecture and health into even sharper focus. Climate change means that buildings must be designed to withstand higher temperatures and more extreme weather. At the same time, healthcare is shifting towards more home-based care, placing new demands on people’s homes to accommodate healthcare services and rehabilitation.

“I believe we will increasingly focus on the health aspects of our built environment in the years ahead. This will require broad, interdisciplinary collaboration, both within Chalmers and with the construction industry and healthcare sector,” says Paula Femenias.