After 12 months of living under the shadow of a global pandemic, burnout about the topic of health is spreading contagiously. If we’re not actively working to keep others healthy, however, we’re likely to experience future, large-scale outbreaks. The buildings in which we live, work and thrive can be more effective at protecting us from harm and preventing the spread of disease by incorporating intelligent design elements.
Healthy buildings are structures designed and built with the intention of improving the lives of occupants. Buildings that are “healthy” use responsibly sourced green materials in thought-provoking designs that showcase well-ventilated, light-filled spaces. These structures use openness to encourage natural communication between occupants that might otherwise be limited by a closed-off floorplan.
Healthy buildings are certified with nine points of inspection:
- Air quality
- Ventilation
- Presence of pests
- Thermal health
- Moisture
- Water quality
- Lighting
- Noise
- Safety
These human-centric design elements are intended to increase health, productivity and happiness. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the features that make healthy buildings so healthy, and about the benefits they offer to those who live and work within them.
Infographic courtesy BigRentz.com
