THOUGHTFULL DESIGN
WELLNESS Through
The role of interior design in promoting occupant wellness and creating healthy indoor environments is increasingly recognized as vital to a truly healthy home. The design of interior spaces profoundly influences the health and well-being of those who live in them. Elements like air quality, lighting, acoustics, and the emotional atmosphere of a space are all critical in shaping environments that support overall wellness.
This people-centered approach is a core value to Zoe Victoria, integrating the scientifically supported principles of Salutogenesis and Neuroaesthetics into every design. This philosophy ensures that the spaces we create not only look beautiful but also have a meaningful impact on your mental, physical, and emotional health.
Salutogenesis :
A design philosophy founded on focusings on the factors that support human health and well-being, rather than those that cause disease. It emphasizes creating environments that foster physical, emotional, social, and mental health. By prioritizing wellness in design, we shift the focus from merely preventing illness to actively promoting health and well-being. There are 5 fundamental aspects of Salutogenesis :
Health & Fitness
Safety & Security
Functionality
Comfort & Joy
Accessibility
Nueroaesthetics:
Neuroaesthetics is the study of how our brains respond to our environment through our senses, exploring the connection between how we experience the physical world and emotional well-being. In interior design, this field can be harnessed to create spaces that evoke positive emotional responses, enhance mood, and reduce stress. By understanding how elements like color, texture, pattern and spatial arrangement & biofilic design impact the brain, we can design interiors that not only meet functional needs but also promote mental and emotional well-being which flows through to our physical health, making every space a nurturing environment.
Health & Fitness
The design of our homes is pivotal in influencing our health. By creating spaces that enable physical activity and encourage healthy lifestyle choices, and by selecting materials that promote good air quality and minimize exposure to pollutants, we can craft environments that support both our physical well-being and long-term health.
Comfort & Joy
By incorporating elements that provide comfort and evoke joy, we create living environments that are both pleasant and enjoyable. Understanding the study of 'Neuroaesthetics' enables us to leverage the built environment's impact on the psyche through scientifically supported strategies.
Functionality
Spaces designed to be intuitively usable, reducing stress and enhancing daily life by supporting the physical and mental needs of occupants. Functional design in a salutogenic home ensures that spaces are practical and efficient, fostering a sense of control and coherence.
Safety & Security
A key aspects of salutogenic design, by using secure materials, proper lighting, and thoughtful layouts that prevent accidents, this approach ensures both physical and psychological safety. Features like secure entryways and accessible exits & fire safety measures. By fostering a sense of security and promoting overall health, reducing stress and fostering peace of mind.
Universal Design
Universal Design is a design philosophy focused on creating environments that are inclusive and accessible to individuals of all abilities and life stages. It addresses the needs of those who are physically challenged, neurodiverse, and those undergoing various life changes, such as menopause. This approach involves designing spaces that meet diverse physical requirements while also considering sensory and cognitive needs, incorporating elements that minimize overstimulation and enhance ease of use.
Biophilic Design
Incorporating natural elements into interior spaces enhances well-being by tapping into our deep-rooted biology that drives our visceral reactions to nature. Strategic use of natural light, plant life, water elements, and organic materials, creates environments that reduce stress, boost mood, and improve cognitive function as it resonates with our innate connection to nature.
Lighting Design
By applying the science of neuroaesthetics and understanding how light influences our circadian rhythms—and, consequently, our sleep cycles, immune system, and hormone levels—we can harness the power of lighting design to significantly enhance our health. Strategically designing lighting to align with our natural rhythms enables us to create home environments that promote optimal health, improve sleep quality, and support overall well-being.
Colour Theory
The science of color theory demonstrates that different colors significantly impact our mental state, influencing emotions and overall mood. In interior design, this understanding is vital for crafting environments that support desired emotional outcomes.
Resources - Knowledge Is Power
I could discuss Wellness Architecture for hours! It's a true passion of mine and to share this knowledge widely, I've gathered an extensive collection of resources for everyone—from designers and architects to homeowners and employers—to explore the incredible impact that informed interior design & our built environments can have.
Neuro-Aesthetics
Neuro-design Academy https://neurodesignacademy.com/
Ross, I., & Magsamen, S. (2023). Your brain on art: How the arts transform us. Random House.
Christensen, A. P., Cardillo, E. R., & Chatterjee, A. (2023, January 12). Can Art Promote Understanding? A Review of the Psychology and Neuroscience of Aesthetic Cognitivism. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/aca0000541
Chatterjee, A., & Vartanian, O. (2016). Neuroscience of aesthetics. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1369(1), 172-194. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13035
Weinberger, A. B., Christensen, A. P., Coburn, A., & Chatterjee, A. (2021). Psychological responses to buildings and natural landscapes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 77, 101676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101676
Chatterjee, A., Coburn, A., & Weinberger, A. (2021). The neuroaesthetics of architectural spaces. Cognitive Processing, 22(Suppl 1), 115-120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-021-01043-4
Coburn, A., Vartanian, O., Kenett, Y. N., Nadal, M., Hartung, F., Hayn-Leichsenring, G., ... & Chatterjee, A. (2020). Psychological and neural responses to architectural interiors. Cortex, 126, 217-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2020.01.009
Vartanian, O., Navarrete, G., Palumbo, L., & Chatterjee, A. (2021). Individual differences in preference for architectural interiors. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 77, 101668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101668
Airquality
Allen, Joseph G., et al. "Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compounds in Office Workers." Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 124, no. 6, 2016, pp. 759-767, https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510037.
MacNaughton, Piers, et al. "Associations between Acute Exposures to PM2.5 and Carbon Dioxide Indoors and Cognitive Function in Office Workers." Environmental Research Letters, vol. 17, no. 5, 2022, pp. 1-12, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac5dc6.
Reynolds, Christopher. The Invisible Killer: How Gas Stoves Are Poisoning Our Homes. HarperCollins, 2021.
Wolverton, B. C., et al. A Study of Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement. NASA, 1989, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930072988.
Cummings BE, Waring MS. "Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality: a review and analysis of reported VOC removal efficiencies." J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2020 Mar;30(2):253-261. doi: 10.1038/s41370-019-0175-9. Epub 2019 Nov 6. PMID: 31695112.
Mølhave, Lars, et al. “Volatile Organic Compounds and Sick Building Syndrome: A Review of the Literature.” Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 103, no. 2, 1995, pp. 189-195. Environmental Health Perspectives, doi:10.1289/ehp.95103189.
ASHRAE Standard 62.2: ASHRAE (2019). ASHRAE Standard 62.2 - Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Available at: https://www.ashrae.org
Australian Standard AS 1668.2: Standards Australia (2012). AS 1668.2 - The Use of Ventilation and Air Conditioning in Buildings: Part 2 - Mechanical Ventilation in Buildings. Available at: https://www.standards.org.au
World Health Organization. (2018). Air pollution and health. WHO.
American Lung Association. (2020). Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution. ALA.
Yannai Kashtan et al. 'Nitrogen dioxide exposure, health outcomes, and associated demographic disparities due to gas and propane combustion by U.S. stoves.' Sci. Adv.10,eadm8680(2024).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adm8680
If you're looking for Melbourne based professionals who specialize in indoor air quality testing, that can assist with comprehensive assessments and recommendations here is a list of options :
www.opira.com.au/air-quality-testing-melbourne
www.heliaehs.au/indoor-air-quality-testing
www.jta.com.au/services/indoor-air-quality-testing
www.amcosh.com.au/indoor-air-quality
www.airxpresstesting.com.au/air-quality-testing-in-melbourne
Circadian Lighting Design - Impact on Sleep and our immune systems
Duffy, J. F., & Czeisler, C. A. (2009). Effect of light on human circadian physiology. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 4(2), 165–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2009.01.004
Blume, C., Garbazza, C., & Spitschan, M. (2019). Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood. Somnologie, 23, 147–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-019-00215-x
Cho, Y. M., Ryu, S. H., Lee, B. R., Kim, K. H., Lee, E., & Choi, J. (2015). Effects of artificial light at night on human health: A literature review. Chronobiology International, 32(9), 1294–1310. https://doi.org/10.3109/07420528.2015.1073158
Houser, K. W., et al. (2021). Human-centric lighting: Foundational considerations and a five-step design process. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, 630553. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.630553
Osibona, O., Solomon, B. D., & Fecht, D. (2021). Lighting in the home and health: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 609. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020609
Farhud, D., & Aryan, Z. (2018). Circadian rhythm, lifestyle and health: A narrative review. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 47(8), 1068–1076. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6123576/