Wellness Room Design 101

Wellness rooms in both the workplace and residences are becoming popular and more necessary.  What's a wellness room?  It's a space to take a pause from the stress of daily life to meditate, work on a craft, practice yoga, relax, and get healthier. 

There are many factors to weigh when creating a wellness room.  You will need to consider your wellness room's primary use, the type of lighting, flooring, wall finish, and other amenities desired.  First and foremost, the materials and furniture specified should be non-toxic, with no fermaldehyde or VOC's. If the wellness room is for your own personal use, the design can express who you are and what makes you unique.  If it's for employee use within an office space, it can be more neutral so it appeals to a number of people.  If this is the case, it's recommended to get employee feedback on what it is they want before starting design.

An empty room with plain white walls is less likely to help you de-stress. This, however, doesn’t mean that you should fill your wellness room with unnecessary accessories. Keeping your wellness room clutter-free will prevent you from getting distracted.

Color plays a significant role in stimulating the eye and the mind, since studies have proven that colors can influence human emotions. Specific colors are considered to have healing qualities and can help create a cozy and nurturing vibe. Warm colors evoke a relaxing and homey feel, perfect for those who are looking into breaking away from artificial lights.

Be careful when painting your wellness room white. Many white tones could be warm and inviting, while others are too stark and harsh for relaxation. A warm off-white shade is fine when you want to paint your wellness room white; other neutral alternatives include creamy beige or dove gray.

Green is an excellent color to look at when you want to rest your eyes. Green has also been proven to be helpful in soothing anxiety and is closely associated with optimism. Blue is also the perfect color when you want to evoke a peaceful ambiance since it reduces stress and creates a sense of tranquility and order.

Ultimately, color schemes are only guides when designing a wellness room. It still depends on what kind of vibe you want to elicit—whether it’s a warm and cozy relaxation room, a fresh and neutral room for meditation, or a balanced mixture of both. 

Lighting is perhaps one of the most important but overlooked aspects of space. Many of us don’t get enough natural light, and this is a health risk. The amount of natural light is an important consideration when designing your wellness room, but make sure that the lighting level can be adjusted. Ideally, a wellness room should receive a lot of natural light with the ability to darken the space with black-out curtains or shades.  If you’re looking into a more ambient relaxation room, you could opt to put warm, dimmable lamps inside.

Furniture in your wellness room should be comfortable. Use seating made of fabrics that are soft and plush. Recliners and massagers also work well.  In wellness rooms specifically targeted for relaxation, remember the tips we’ve discussed above regarding color. The furniture should coordinate with the overall design scheme ideally.  Curved lines, as opposed to straight lines, create a more psychologically soothing space. 

If you’re preparing a meditation room, it’s better to substitute the couches with plush rugs and thick mats instead. You can experiment with texture as well if you want a more dynamic experience for those seeking a few minutes of quiet mindfulness. Accessories like scented candles are also a nice touch when setting up the mood in your wellness room.

When it comes to wall finish, do not be afraid of having an accent wall. Use texture and interesting but soothing wall finishes. Remember that neutral colors are always the safest bet. The most important thing to remember is still your comfort and well-being.

Flooring is another design aspect to consider. Plush furniture goes well with laminated wood flooring. Wooden floors are also easy to clean. Supplement your choice in flooring with a throw rug to warm up the space.

In the case of fitness spaces and yoga rooms, a different kind of flooring is more appropriate. Typically, fitness gyms have interlocked rubber mats as flooring, which serve as a cushion during exercise. However, remember also that you may sweat a lot during exercise. Make sure that the flooring is easy to clean and disinfect. Rubber wears out quickly, so be prepared to do maintenance and replace them as needed. Storage for things like towels will be an excellent addition if you have the budget and space.

The ideal wellness room is private and secure so you can freely “turn off” and recharge. Using plants also goes a long way in improving the overall ambiance of a room. A little bit of nature never fails to create a relaxing vibe. Additionally, plants improve the air quality inside the space. Other specialty features can include soundproofing, a bathtub, infrared and near infrared lighting, oxygen therapy, an air filtration system, lighting that supports your circadian rhythm, moist or dry heat, a Himalayan salt wall, a living plant wall, a sound system, and more. The sky is the limit and is only dependent on your priorities and your budget. 

Statement Design specializes in wellness spaces.  We spend 90% of our time indoors. The spaces we inhabit have an enormous effect on our lives. The time has come to elevate human health and comfort to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet, but for people as well. Wellness-focused design harnesses the built environment as a vehicle to support human health, well-being and comfort, and involves specifying appropriate lighting, materials, products, furnishings, air and acoustical systems, color palettes, biophilic design elements (connecting architecture and nature), outdoor-indoor space integration, space layout, and more. As architects, we have the required technical knowledge as well as creative design skills necessary to design healthy, functional, and beautiful interiors. As experts in the biological and psychological effects the built environment has on people, we design spaces that truly enhance people's lives while being mindful of the project budget. Contact us via www.statementdesignstudio.com

Wellness at Work: Relaxation Room Ideas to Increase Productivity

Whether you're the employer of hundreds of employees at a big office or you work from home, promoting wellness at work is important. Too much stress in the workplace is bad for you, your employees, and your business. One way to combat tension and fatigue at work is to create a wellness space where you or your employees can go to relax. Keep reading for some relaxation room ideas you can implement to encourage office wellness and boost productivity at your workplace.

What Is a Wellness Room?

A wellness room is a quiet, private space where employees can go to temporarily escape work-related stressors without leaving the workplace. Ideally, it is a room that is separated from the main work area, but it can also be a curtained-off alcove or corner. These spaces should be comfortable and free of work-related items.

While wellness spaces are beneficial to all employees, they are especially valuable to working mothers who may need to nurse while on the job. By law, any workplace that employs a breastfeeding staff member must provide a lactation room – a private space for nursing.

By accommodating your employees' or your own relaxation needs, you can promote productivity and improve the health and morale of everyone at work.

Relaxation Room Ideas

Comfort is key when creating a relaxation room, so keep that in mind when designing yours. Below are a few tips to help you create an office wellness room as well as a few lactation room ideas.

Comfy furniture is a must. Tired employees or employees who feel unwell will greatly appreciate comfortable furniture on which they can lie down and rest. Consider a futon or convertible sofa that can do double duty as a couch and a bed – it'll be just as functional for sitting as it will be for sleeping.

Keep the space free of work-related distractions. Employees will go to a relaxation room when they want to briefly escape from work, so the last thing they need is computers, printers, and other office machinery around to remind them they're at the office. Encourage them to escape through meditation by filling the space with floor mats, throw pillows, and poufs.

Decorate with serene accent pieces. An office wellness room is the perfect place to embrace Zen decor. You can decorate with live plants to improve the air quality, but artificial plants will have a similarly relaxing visual impact. Salt lamps provide beautiful ambient light while also purifying the air. If you work from home, candles are excellent for creating ambient light and soothing aromas. You can even use a small indoor fountain as a coffee-table centerpiece – there's nothing more tranquil than the sound of a bubbling creek.

Install dimmable lighting. Bright office lighting and screens can be harsh on employees' eyes. Give them a break by installing adjustable lighting that they can dim with ease.

Keep nursing mothers in mind. Breastfeeding at work without the proper accommodations can cause a new mother even more stress that she doesn't need. Make sure she is taken care of by ensuring that she has access to electrical outlets and comfortable seating. Keep a small refrigerator in the space for milk storage. If your relaxation room doesn't have a lock or if you think many employees will use it at once, consider putting up privacy dividers or curtains.

The physical toll of work isn’t the only health-related concern for workers. Mental health awareness has become a forefront figure in the ever-changing workplace culture. Increasing demands at work have exacerbated the rise in mental health-related problems among workers. Thus, mental health has become a relevant concern in maintaining a humane and healthy work environment for your employees.

One of the best and easiest ways (not to mention cheapest) to address this concern is to set aside a quiet space for employees to retreat to as needed. When their stress levels at work have peaked, a calm space can go a long way in providing them an avenue to decompress before going back to work. They could also take short naps there and wake up refreshed and full of new ideas, maybe a more effective solution to a problem.

Furniture Selection for Senior Housing Facilities

Creating a homelike setting with materials that are industrial strength and function well for the elderly is a challenge.  Social interaction significantly contributes to the quality of people’s lives, and a building’s design should promote easy social interaction.  Appropriate color, texture, and furniture arrangement can increase meaningful social activity. 

When it comes to seating arrangements, being seated at right angles to another person has been shown to be more psychologically comfortable than being face to face or side by side.  For older adults, seating arrangements are especially important because many have hearing impairments and mobility limitations.  Seating shouldn’t be too far apart.  In large rooms, smaller seating groups are more comfortable than one large one.  For people with dementia, it’s important not to rearrange furniture, because they rely on a familiar environment.  Older people often find it difficult to rise from a sofa, particularly from the center of a sofa where there’s no arm for support.  The same is true of chairs.  They’re often too low, too soft, and too deep. 

Aging unfortunately involves arthritis, loss of balance, fatigue, loss of hearing and eyesight, and other issues.  It’s very important for older people to remain as active as possible for good health. Designers should incentivize people to move with opportunities to socialize and visual interest as one moves from place to place.  For residents to feel secure in moving about, designers must provide lots of places to sit and rest. 

The elderly tend to sit for extended periods of time, so good chair selection is crucial. It’s important to specify chairs with the right seat height, pitch of back, and arms that extend beyond the seat that make them comfortable and easy to get in and out of.  A variety of chair styles and sizes should be specified for people of different sizes.  Rocking chairs can stimulate circulation and stimulates the vestibular canal in the ear which gives people a sense of balance and creates a calming effect.  Hip fractures often result from elderly people trying to rise from a chair that is too low, too soft, too narrow, and too deep.  Ideally, chairs should have an opening under the front of the seat to allow one foot to be placed underneath it to push off from when rising out of the chair.  Seat heights should be between 18 to 19-1/2 inches.  Seats should ideally have smooth edges, rounded corners, and have plenty of space for a person’s body to fit.

Dining chairs should offer arms for support while rising, and they should fit under the table.  They should have continuous back support from the seat all the way to the top of the back.  They should be lightweight and easy to pull away from the table.  Casters are too unstable.

When selecting tables, the base should allow wheelchairs to fully fit underneath them, so the person can get as close to the table as possible.  A standard table height is 29 inches, but needs to be 34 inches high to accommodate wheelchairs.  A 42-inch table provides adequate room for wheelchair accessibility.  For socializing, tables seating two or four residents are preferable.  Square or rectangular configurations allow combining tables when needed.  Straight sides to a table allow residents to have their own territory unlike round tables.  Placemats help to define the space even more.  Elderly people often use furniture for balance and support, and dining tables should not tip when someone puts weight on its edge.  Having a contrasting color border to a table is helpful.  All edges should be bullnosed or rounded.  Tables with a raised, rounded rim prevents spills. 

In bedrooms, a bedside table with a light is important next to a bed.  Headboards provide a home-like feel.  Dormitory beds are not appropriate for the elderly.  They are longer than a twin bed and not as wide.  Because they’re a slightly different size than what people are used to, they create a risk of falling off the bed. 

Moisture barriers prevent penetration of fluids that are a source of odor and mildew.  Since upholstered fabrics must serve as fluid barriers and still meet fire codes, furniture manufacturers provide many options to meet this need.   Crypton is a new type of fabric that is water and stain resistant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, extremely strong, and breathable.  It’s not a coating, but is encased in every fiber of the material.  The major advantage of Crypton over vinyl is that the fabric breathes and fire blockers and moisture barriers are laminated to the back of the fabric, leaving the fabric face with the original texture.  Fabrics retain the look that feels more home-like.  The fabric performs best when laminated in Intek Firegard or Kevlar.  Crypton passes the the California Technical Bulletin 116 and 117 which applies to care facilities, and dictates flammability standards for upholstered furniture.  Only the manufacturer can certify that the upholstered product meets California TB 116 and 117.  Other states have similar standards. 

Furniture for a residential care facility should be “contract” quality which is sturdier than residential furniture and can tolerate more abuse. 

Learn more at www.statementdesignstudio.com

Designing Spaces for Millennials vs. Gen X-ers & Boomers

It seems like everyone is designing spaces or experiences for millennials these days.  Here at Statement Design Studio, we definitely have our fair share of design projects aimed at the 30-something set like the Under Canvas resort we’re designing near Yosemite.  But with my generation – the Gen X’ers - now starting to turn 55 years old, I’ve become increasingly interested in designing spaces that make life better for the over 50 set. I’ve always studied psychology to understand how building design affects people’s emotions and instincts, but, more recently, I’ve been studying biology to understand how the biology of people as they age affect how they perceive spaces, and how spaces can be better designed for their specific needs. 

Millennials are looking for more extreme experiences, something to tweet about, and to be totally surprised and truly wowed by venues. After all, if they can’t post it on social media for all to see, did it really even exist? They don’t want to inhabit spaces, they want to inhabit art installations!  They value unique-ness, and the combination of nature, sustainable design, and technology.  For Under Canvas, a high-end “glamping” resort, they get that. 

Yet the environments designed for millennials can be overstimulating for an older age group.  Bright colors are ok for just about any age group, and actually are preferable for older adults who, by the age of 60, experience colors in a more muted way. Eyesight problems are the most common problems of later life, and lighting must be designed differently for people over 60.  Material selection must also be adjusted to reduce the glare that becomes a problem for older eyes.  The correct window coverings as well must be selected to reduce glare.  Bold patterns in carpets or on walls can make older adults feel unstable.  Hearing issues are another major problem for older adults, and special attention should be paid to the acoustical design of a space that will be occupied by people over 50.  Adults over 40 or 50 also tend to want a more relaxing environment with a warmer feel.

If you’re trying to attract an older, more affluent customer, then design your space with that customer’s needs in mind.  Many adults over the age of 50 avoid loud places with poor acoustics where it’s difficult to have a conversation, just as many millennials flock to loud nightclubs.  Don’t mistakenly think that just because certain design features are trendy or popular, that they’re appropriate for all ages.  Design may seem subjective, and it is in many ways, but it’s part science as much as it is part art.

Learn more at www.statementdesignstudio.com

Age-Related Hearing Loss and How We Can Design Spaces to Help

I’m only 49 years old, and I’ve noticed an increasing inability to hear conversations in loud restaurants.  In tribes of people that have not been exposed to modern technology, older adults have pretty much the same hearing ability as infants.  Hearing loss is mostly caused by a lifetime of exposure to loud noises in this modern world.  Age-associated hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition among older adults.  Between one third and two thirds of adults 65 years or older have hearing issues. It can be less disabling if building designers use specific knowledge and skill to design spaces that help with this problem.

Hearing loss isn’t just about volume level reduction.  High frequency sounds such as consonants are the first to go while the vowels may still be loud, making speech difficult to understand. It also becomes more difficult to separate sounds and detect where the sound is coming from.  For speech to be understood by the hard of hearing, the volume must be louder and reflected sound and background noise must be reduced.  Additionally, “head noise” or Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss.  People who suffer from hearing loss often become withdrawn or irritable for good reason.  People with hearing loss often rely on lip reading to help them ascertain what’s being discussed, so it’s important to provide good light levels in spaces for older adults.

Noise is simply unwanted sound.  It’s annoying and it’s fatiguing regardless of someone’s age, and more so for an older person.  When space planning, designers should locate noisy activities away from private areas.  Doors that face each other create sound problems, so their placement should be offset.  It’s also best not to place other elements back to back, such as electrical outlets, showers, and medicine cabinets, because sound can travel from space to another.  Good insulation in the walls is also key. 

Sound reverberates when floors, walls, and ceilings are all hard surfaces, and designers should select interior surfaces, materials, and furniture that do not reflect or amplify sound.  A high-quality acoustical ceiling tile is one of the best ways to control sound.  Ceiling fixtures with solid plastic lenses reflect sound.  Using sound absorbent materials on floors, walls, and windows is a great way of improving noise levels.  Carpet alone doesn’t provide enough sound absorption because it’s too low.  Drapery also can’t be relied on solely because drapes would need to be very heavy, like velvet, to do much, and that would block out daylight.  Light fixtures can create unwanted sound reflections, and lights with plastic lenses should be minimized.

Well-insulated walls, and insulation above the walls and sound boots at the HVAC penetrations help prevent sound from traveling between spaces.  A sound absorbent material should be used in the floors to prevent sound traveling between floors.  Eliminating gaps in materials by caulking with acoustical sealant has a dramatic impact.  Doors and windows should be well sealed with gaskets and sound dampening features.  Panic hardware on doors can be loud when used, so selecting a less noisy model is recommended.  Interior windows between spaces can be laminated.  Double or triple-glazed exterior windows is recommended to keep noise out from the outside. Sound cancelling systems that assess the frequency of noise and emit sound waves to cancel it can be used as a last resort for poorly designed facilities that are already built.   

Although all the above are good design practices and should really be implemented for all buildings, they’re especially important when designing buildings and interior spaces for older people.  More than 11 million older people have significantly impaired hearing.  As designers, we have a responsibility to understand the biology of the people for which we are designing spaces.  Building design isn’t only about aesthetics or even life safety.  It’s about improving lives whenever possible.

Learn more at www.statementdesignstudio.com

Designing with Boomers in Mind for Luxury Hospitality Brands

Do you have a luxury hospitality brand aimed at the financially-secure baby boomer generation?  Designing for an older generation isn’t just about a more traditional aesthetic.  It requires an understanding of the physical and mental characteristics of this population.  Most of us begin to notice changes in our body and memory in our mid-forties, and around the age of 60, more noticeable changes begin to occur, requiring different design parameters.

The majority of boomers have vision problems, are sensitive to glare, and are also hearing impaired.  These problems cause discomfort and affect attention span, making conversations difficult which can create a sense of isolation.  Dining areas filled with glare and noise exacerbate the problem.  Tables should be small and the chair arms should fit under the table so food isn’t out of reach.  Arms on dining chairs as well as sofas and accent chairs should extend beyond the seat so the person can stand up and sit with better support, and the seat should not be too low.

With the use of well-designed lighting, proper flooring materials, level and interesting walking paths, and well-designed handrails and supports, seniors can increase their mobility and get more exercise which increases both their physical and mental health.  Circulatory problems, agitation, and depression are at least partially caused by lack of motion.  People feel more comfortable moving around in an environment that offers stability. A well-designed handrail along corridors and walkways allows people to grasp the rail and permits them to glide along the rail, leaning on the forearm if needed.  And oval shape, with a broader, flat surface that can be used for arm support is best.  Insufficient lighting along walkways is one of the biggest problems for those with vision problems. 

Using softer flooring materials such as wood or faux wood with rubber padding under it, or a low-pile carpet helps mitigate the hazards of a fall.  Throw rugs, although homey, are major trip hazards.  In addition to being soft, carpet improves acoustics and reduces glare which is a huge issue for older eyes.  Patterns in the flooring material should be kept to a minimum, because they can put seniors off balance.  There should be a clear distinction between the vertical wall plane and the horizontal floor plane.  That means matching the wall base to the wall, not the floor.  Because of impaired depth perception, a sharp contrast between the color of the floor and the wall is necessary.  Balance is affected when the distinction is not clear. 

Most buildings aren’t designed with an understanding of managing not only physical impairment, but cognitive impairment as well.  Building and interior design is integral to wellbeing for seniors.  There will be a larger percentage of the total elderly population in the future, and the number of disabled seniors is expected to grow.   Most seniors have multiple disabilities, but environments can be designed to provide support, enhance, and simplify lives, and make them more enjoyable.

The author, Elisa Garcia, leads Statement Design, a wellness-focused interior design and construction management firm in California.  www.statementdesignstudio.com

How Property and Business Owners Can Promote Wellness with Healthy Food

The food and beverages we consume play one of the most significant roles in our health.  The standard American diet (“SAD”) is creating many chronic illnesses and diseases that lead to an early death such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue, and cancer just to name a few.  Most people don’t realize that their health issues or fatigue are perhaps the cause of their diet. 

Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is one of the cornerstones of good health.  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an average consumption of at least 4 servings of fruits and 5 servings of vegetables per day.  To promote consuming fruits and vegetables, property and business owners can offer fruits and vegetables for sale either in an on-site retail store, cafeteria, or healthy restaurant.  Photographs, displays, and messaging promoting fruits and vegetables can encourage people to eat them.  Vending machines with unhealthy food and beverages should not be allowed. 

Many people have food allergies and intolerances, and some don’t even realize it.  Property and business owners can help occupants avoid consumption of potential food allergens.  All foods and beverages sold or provided on the premises should be labeled and indicate if they contain the most common allergens: peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy, milk and dairy products, egg, wheat, tree nuts, artificial substances, and gluten.

Hand washing is one of the most important and effective means of reducing the transmission of pathogens through food.  Responsible for about 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, foodborne illness is a major cause of preventable illness and death.  Using paper towels to dry hands is more effective than air dryers.  Since liquid soap in bulk refillable dispensers is prone to bacterial contamination, utilizing sealed liquid soap cartridges reduced the possibility for bacterial contamination and significantly reduces bacteria on hands whereas contaminated refillable dispensers increase bacteria on hands after handwashing.  Sinks should provide enough room for washing hands without touching sink sides to prevent recontamination.  By simply providing a proper number of sinks and supplies within a space, handwashing can be encouraged. 

It’s important to minimize exposure to food-borne pathogens.  Microorganisms from foods can be transmitted to other products via cutting boards and other surfaces leading to food poisoning.  Foods must be stored in the proper temperature, clearly labeled, and prepared at sufficiently high temperatures. 

Porous surfaces can harbor harmful toxins and chemicals used in non-stick cookware can leach or volatize during use.  Pots, pans, dishware, and other cooking tools should be made entirely of one or more of the following inert materials:

1.      Ceramics, except those containing lead.

2.      Case iron.

3.      Stainless steel.

4.      Glass.

5.      Coasted aluminum,

6.      Solid (non-laminated) wood that is untreated or treated with food-grade mineral or linseed oil.

7.      Bamboo

To reduce overconsumption of too many calories, business owners can provide small meal options and provide smaller than normal plates and bowls in the kitchen area. Alternative foods that don’t contain the common foods that people are allergic or intolerant to (peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy, milk and dairy products, egg, wheat, tree nuts, artificial substances, and gluten) should also be provided.  To reduce exposure to pesticides and hormones in foods, offer organic food with a federally certified organic label.  To encourage people to bring fruits and vegetables to work, provide enough refrigeration space – at least 20L per occupant. To improve access to fresh produce, provide gardening space, a greenhouse, and fruit trees on the property as well as the property tools and resources to grow the plants.

Lastly, to encourage mindful eating behaviors and socialization, provide tables and chairs to accommodate at least 25% of total occupants at a given time, a refrigerator, toaster oven (microwaves emit a huge amount of EMF’s), a sink, amenities for dish washing, cabinet storage, spoons, forks, knives, and plates and cups that are microwave safe if a microwave is provided (no plastic). 

Food and beverage consumption is just one of several crucial factors for wellness.  See our other articles on how property and business owners can provide good quality air, water, light, fitness opportunities, comfort, and promote good mental health.

For a low cost, Statement Design can complete a wellness survey of your property and provide a report on recommended alterations, their priority level, and the estimated cost for each item.  We spend 90% of our time indoors, so the spaces we inhabit have an enormous effect on our lives. Together, we can elevate human well-being to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet, but for people as well. Contact us at www.statementdesignstudio.com or (805) 530-7067.

How Lighting Design and Access to Windows Within A Space Affects our Health and Well-Being

Exposure to adequate levels of sunlight is critical for health and well-being, for physiological, psychological, and neurological reasons.  Proximity to windows, outdoor views (ideally some nature), and daylight is paramount.  Buildings should utilize daylight as a primary source of lighting to the greatest extent possible.  75% of an indoor space that is regularly occupied should ideally be within 25 feet of view windows.  At least 55% of regularly occupied spaces should receive 28 footcandles of daylight for at least 50% of the time the space is occupied during the day. However no more than 10% of the space should receive more than 93 footcandles. Ideal lighting involves proper exposure to diffuse daylight as well as careful design of windows to avoid excessive glare and heat gain.  Balancing energy performance, thermal comfort, and access to quality daylight are essential to proper building design.

In addition to facilitating our vision, light influences us in non-visual ways.  We have internal clocks that synchronize physiological functions on roughly a 24-hour cycled call the circadian rhythm.  Light is the most important cue that keeps our internal clocks synchronized.  Light enters our eyes and hits photoreceptors on the retina which are critical to the circadian system, sending information to various parts of the brain to trigger reactions downstream in the body.  They tell the brain what time of day it is based on the light received and this main clock then synchronizes clocks in the peripheral tissues and organs. Multiple physiological processes – including those relating to alertness, digestion, and sleep – are regulated in part by the hormones involved in this cycle.  Light greatly affects the quality of our sleep.  50 to 70 million American adults have a chronic sleep disorder.  Such disorders and sleep deprivation are associated with diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attaches, hypertension, stroke, and other illnesses.

All light, not just sunlight, affects our internal clock.  Since we spend so much time indoors, artificial lighting has a huge impact on our circadian rhythm.  To maintain our internal clock optimally, we need periods of both brightness and darkness at the right times.  However, our need for adequate light levels to perform activities such as reading, eating, and other tasks must be balanced with the right lighting that keeps our internal clock on time.  Being in bright light during the first part of the day, and lower and lower light levels in the latter part of the day is important.  If that is challenging, there are now lighting products on the market that change intensity and color throughout the day to keep our internal clock synchronized.  It is important to control glare while in bright light to avoid eye discomfort, fatigue and visual impairment.  Glare from windows can be controlled with adjustable window coverings, external shading systems, or other strategies.  To prevent glare from artificial lighting, the lighting should be diffused or indirect.  Staying away from artificial blue-ish light that mimics daylight after the sun sets is key. Certain light bulbs, computer screens, phones, and TV screens emit blue-ish light.  

The light level in a space contributes to the perception of spaciousness and overall appeal of a space.  Task lighting is a good way to provide enough light for tasks without over-illuminating an entire space.  Using adjustable task lighting along with indirect or diffuse general lighting is ideal.  There should not be a huge contrast in brightness levels between rooms and corridors or task surfaces and adjacent surfaces, so that eyes don’t get stressed when moving from room to room.  Brightness levels should be distributed fairly evenly across ceilings to avoid dark spots and glare spots.

Light reflecting off glossy surfaces can also cause indirect glare which is uncomfortable for our eyes.  Its important to position computer screens, desks, reading chairs, and dining or activity tables that are near windows or directly under lights to minimize glare. Light color in addition to brightness level is important. Color impacts the appeal of space and can either contribute or detract from our eye comfort.  Poor color quality can make objects difficult to see correctly.  Foods, skin, and plants may appear dull or non-appetizing. 

Since most light within buildings is reflective, the quality of surfaces important.  Surfaces can either absorb light or reflect it.  To increase overall room brightness, utilizing reflective surfaces that are not too glossy and create glare is best. 

Lastly, outdoor space should be provided so that building occupants can soak up some direct sunlight and vitamin D which is crucial for good health.  Ideally, the outdoor space should be in a nice setting that promotes it’s use.

Lighting design is just one of several crucial factors for wellness.  See our other articles on how property and business owners can provide good quality air, water, nutrition, fitness opportunities, comfort, and promote good mental health.

For a low cost, Statement Design can complete a wellness survey of your property and provide a report on recommended alterations, their priority level, and the estimated cost for each item.  We spend 90% of our time indoors, so the spaces we inhabit have an enormous effect on our lives. Together, we can elevate human well-being to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet, but for people as well. Contact us at www.statementdesignstudio.com or (805) 530-7067.

How The Design of Your Workplace Affects Sleep which is Critical to Well-being

Getting good-quality sleep for about 8 hours per night is the foundation of good health and well-being.  Our body’s circadian rhythm regulates sleep, which is driven by the release of hormones such as melatonin at certain times of the day.  In order to keep our circadian rhythm on track, it’s important to be in bright daylight or good-quality artificial light that simulates daylight for the first half of the day.  It’s just as important to avoid light, especially light that simulates daylight or blue-colored light later in the day and especially after sunset.  

What does this have to do with building and interior design you ask?  Most people spend the majority of their day in a workplace, and it’s layout will determine whether people have access to daylight.  Desks should be located so people are near large windows in the first half of the day. It’s critical that windows have window coverings that have the ability to allow light in yet control glare when the light is bright and close in the latter part of the day.  This can be accomplished with manual adjustable blinds, a combination of sheer drapes and solid drapes, or, better yet, an automatic exterior shading system that adjusts with the level of sunlight. 

Another option is utilizing “hoteling” or unassigned desks.  Some desks can be in bright locations and others can be in darker locations, so people can relocate as needed, although this may be impractical for those that have to store things at their desks.  This has become more feasible as more and more people simply need a laptop to work.  Storage lockers can be provided for people to store items.

Another terrific strategy is to provide shaded outdoor space for working on laptops.  Even though shaded, the surrounding daylight is bright enough to support the circadian rhythm.  I like finding that sweet spot where the direct sunlight can hit a portion of my body while my face and laptop are in the shade so I can soak in valuable Vitamin D while I work even though this necessitates adjusting my shade umbrella every 30 minutes.  If the setting is nice, being outside has other benefits as well, so this is a highly recommended approach.

If it’s just not possible for everyone within a space to have access to plenty of daylight in the first part of the day, there’s lighting which changes intensity levels throughout the day, mimicking the natural daily path of the sun, and supporting the body’s circadian rhythm.  There are plenty of manufacturers which now make a component which works with almost any kind of lighting that accomplishes this.

For those that don’t go to a workplace every day such as retired people, those that work from home, or stay-at-home dads or moms, the same principles apply, so simply consider where you spend the majority of your day, and implement the same strategies.

For a low cost, Statement Design can complete a wellness survey of your property and provide a report on recommended alterations, their priority level, and the estimated cost for each item.  We spend 90% of our time indoors, so the spaces we inhabit have an enormous effect on our lives. Together, we can elevate human well-being to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet, but for people as well. Contact us at www.statementdesignstudio.com or (805) 530-7067.

Increase Wellness with These 10 Indoor Air Quality Improvements for Existing Spaces

We spend 90% of our time indoors, so the spaces we inhabit have an enormous effect on our lives. Our goal is to elevate human well-being to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet, but for people as well. There are seven main categories to consider in designing for human well-being:  Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort, and Mind.  Below are some alterations that can be made to existing interior spaces that address air quality.  This list does not include recommended procedures for new construction. Keep in mind that ongoing procedural changes should also be implemented such as proper cleaning, a ban on smoking both indoors and outdoors, the elimination of outdoor pesticides and herbicides for the exterior landscaping, regular monitoring of indoor air quality, and pest control.

1.      Add windows, doors, or louvers that can open for natural ventilation and a connection to the outdoor environment, monitor outdoor air quality, and have a system to indicate to occupants whether operable windows can be opened.

2.      Add an entryway walk-off system comprised of grilles, grates, or slots which allow for easy cleaning underneath and an entryway vestibule or revolving doors (at the main building entrance, not the interior suite entrance).  Occupants track harmful contaminants indoors including bacteria, heavy metals, lawn and agricultural pesticides, and other toxins.  Polluted outside air can also enter the building as people open the entry doors.

3.      Replace any wall-to-wall carpeting with smooth, hard flooring, and removable rugs, replace high-touch surfaces with non-porous surfaces that are smooth with smooth joints and no crevices or hard-to-reach places, and replace countertops and fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens, and all handles, doorknobs, light switches and elevator buttons with ones that are coated with or comprised of a material that is abrasion-resistant, non-leaching and meets EPA testing requirements for antimicrobial activity.  Surfaces exposed to frequent human touch can harbor microbes, pathogens, and toxins for extended periods of time.  Using materials that facilitate easy cleaning reduces the need for cleaning products that contain potentially toxic chemicals.

4.      Enclose janitorial/chemical storage closets, bathrooms, and all rooms that contain printers and copiers (except those meeting low-emission criteria) with self-closing doors separating those rooms from adjacent spaces, and exhaust the air from those rooms rather than allowing the air to be recirculated.  Chemical storage closets can be a source of harmful vapors that are linked to cancer, and organ and central nervous system damage.  Copy rooms can contribute to the production of ozone which is linked to asthma and other respiratory diseases.  Bathrooms can also be a source of mold and mildew that release spores and toxins which can trigger asthma and allergies.

5.      Add air filtration and purification systems, ensure adequate ventilation, provide proper maintenance of HVAC cooling coils and drain pans, and add one plant for every 100 square feet of space. Indoor pollutants can lead to a variety of symptoms and health problems.  Volatile organic compounds or “VOC’s” (that off-gas from paints, finishes, insulation, furnishings), combustion byproducts and airborne particulate matter, bacteria, and mold spores are known to cause or promote lung cancer, leukemia, cardiovascular disease, nausea, headaches, asthma, respiratory system disorders, allergies, and more.

6.      In areas where outdoor air quality is especially poor, add a carbon filtration and/or air sanitization system.  Proximity to high-traffic roads, manufacturing plants, and agricultural areas have higher incidents of ozone and VOC content.  Similarly, climates with high humidity without adequate indoor ventilation can foster the development of mold and spores.

7.      Limit the potential for water infiltration and condensation and promote drying potential.  Moisture can enter buildings in numerous ways such as through windows and plumbing/electrical/mechanical penetrations, porous building materials, and poor site drainage, and water from interior sources such as plumbing leaks and appliances, high interior humidity levels in bathrooms, laundry rooms and below-grade spaces cause bacteria and mold growth which can cause numerous health problems. 

8.      Remove toxic materials where feasible and replace with non-toxic materials.  Various chemicals are used in the fabrication of materials such as flooring, ceiling tiles, wall coverings, piping, conduits, adhesives, resins, insulation, window and waterproofing membranes, door and window frames and siding, textiles, fabrics, window blinds, interior finishes, and furnishings, and their off-gassing is associated with respiratory, neurobehavioral, carcinogenic and immune symptoms.  Some of these chemicals can bioaccumulate in our body’s fat and result in food chain contamination.  Furnishings and finishes should meet one or more of the following requirements: 

a.      Have a Declare: Living Building Challenge Red List Free, Declare: Living Building Challenge Compliant, or Living Product Challenge label.

b.      Are Cradle to Cradle Certified products with a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level in the Material Health category or products with a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

c.      Have no GreenScreen Benchmark 1, List Translator 1, or List Translator Possible 1 substances over 1,000 ppm, as verified by a qualified Ph.D. toxicologist or Certified Industrial Hygienist.

9.      Reduce or eliminate occupant exposure to lead, asbestos, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) which may still be present in older buildings.  This requires testing.  These toxic materials are known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, plus memory, IQ, learning, and behavioral challenges.

10. Remove or separate wood and gas fireplaces, stoves, space-heaters, ranges, and ovens from regularly occupied spaces.  These items can contribute harmful combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter.  Carbon monoxide has 210 times the binding affinity for hemoglobin compared to oxygen, and prevents oxygen from being delivered to the body, leading to hypoxia – lack of oxygen delivery to the body tissues that can cause nausea, loss of consciousness, and death.  Carbon monoxide leads to about 170 non-automotive fatal poisonings in the U.S. every year.

For a low cost, Statement Design can complete a wellness survey of your property and provide a report on recommended alterations, their priority level, and the estimated cost for each item.  Contact us at www.statementdesignstudio.com or (805) 530-7067.