We spend more than 90% of our time in closed spaces (the home, office, gym …), therefore, the spaces in which we live, work, exercise or rest have a great impact on our health, well-being and productivity.
Elements such as indoor air quality or the presence of materials that are harmful to health such as asbestos have a huge impact on our health on a daily basis. If anything, the covid19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of indoor air quality.
Now there is a global trend towards the sustainability of buildings, which is not only reduced to taking into account environmental elements in their construction or reform, but also refers to having an impact on better health of their occupants.
We can and must change the chip and begin to create a space that is not only sustainable but also “healthy” in which to live, work, exercise or rest.
For this, it is possible to work on various parameters:
Parameters of the Building or Property
a) Substitution of harmful materials for healthy materials
The properties, whether it is the house, the office in which we work or another property, are made up of various construction materials. However, on many occasions these materials are dangerous, polluting and affect health, such as lead, asbestos or mercury. The chemical composition of building materials in the building has a potential impact on indoor air quality and our health.
But it does not end there since the cleaning products themselves, the residues, can contribute with polluting elements that are harmful to health. It is all about reducing people’s exposure to polluting components of materials.
We can replace these harmful materials and substances with others that are sustainable and have a positive impact on health.
b) Lighting
The integration of natural and artificial light, focused on human health, can contribute to designing healthier and more productive environments.
By regulating the light we can maximize comfort and visual quality especially when working, reading or studying; we can synchronize the circadian rhythm, yes, humans and animals have an internal clock that synchronizes the physiological functions in a cycle of approximately 24 hours called the circadian rhythm, vital to sleep well (for example high levels of lighting during the night, including blue light from screens can contribute to disruption of circadian rhythm.); and managing the emotional impact of light as studies have shown that exposure to light has an impact on mood and reduces symptoms of stress and depression in people.
c) Air
The health problems generated by the contaminated air in our streets are well known. But the one in our houses does not differ from it, what’s more, we may even be using some products or elements that make it worse.
People spend about 90% of our time indoors: in homes, offices, schools, or other built environments. During this time, inhalation exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to a variety of health problems. We breathe more than 15,000 liters of air every day. The health effects associated with exposure to indoor air pollutants can be short-term and long-term and can vary.
We must therefore improve the quality of the air we breathe indoors by minimizing the impact on health of pollutants in the indoor air through various strategies of natural ventilation or with mechanical equipment, filtration and purification, prohibition of smoking…
d) Water
60% of our body is made up of water. A correct level of hydration in our body has a direct impact on our cognitive functions, concentration and mental agility and also helps to lose weight. There is a close relationship between proper hydration and energy and productivity.
Many people do not hydrate adequately, which is associated with higher rates of obesity, fatigue, lack of energy, and productivity. They do not hydrate adequately because they perceive that the quality of the drinking water is not adequate, or because they do not have water available nearby, therefore they tend to consume less water and even consume more sugary drinks.
The objective is to maintain adequate and constant hydration and for this it is important to bear in mind that we must have access to and drink quality water regularly and that our body water level must be optimal.
e) Thermal Comfort
The conditions of thermal comfort should create a benchmark satisfaction for the greatest number of people, which increases comfort and productivity considering the difficulty of adopting the temperature for all people.
20% of the total energy demand is from homes and of this in turn 40% comes from heating / air conditioning. The sustainable alternative in turn involves reducing environmental impact and achieving greater energy efficiency.
To act on this, it is possible to act on the thermal insulation and the hermeticity of the property (insulation, thermal bridges, high performance doors and windows, hermeticity…) and on the ventilation or air conditioning systems (performance, zoning, monitoring…):
f) Sound (noise)
Exposure to noise sources, such as traffic, transportation, or industrial sources, harms people’s health and well-being and has been linked to disturbed sleep, hypertension, and learning disabilities in school-age children.
The objective is to improve comfort by controlling acoustic parameters and correct insulation: intrusion of noise from the outside, privacy in spaces and reverberation time.
Parameters of the people in the real estate
a) Health and Physical Activity
Physical activity, or rather inactivity, has become the main focus of public health due to the increase in premature mortality and chronic diseases attributed to physical inactivity, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, strokes, dementia, and some forms of cancer.
Active life, daily physical activity should be promoted through the specific design of the environment and the space (specific spaces for sports / mini gym…), organization and programming and promotion of active means of transport (ex. Bicycle), the use of stairs and use of fitness equipment.
b) Nutrition and Health
Nutrition and health are closely related. Poor diet is a risk factor for many preventable chronic diseases.
We must promote healthy eating and nutrition through the design of spaces, training, requires the availability of healthy food and drink, transparency and nutritional information, the restriction of artificial ingredients, the increase of organic products and encourages the creation of environments in which the healthiest choice is the easiest option (for example in company or school canteens).
c) Mental-emotional health
Mental health is a fundamental component of human health and is vital to people’s physical and social well-being. Many problems come from social issues such as anorexia, anxiety, fear.
We must optimize mental health through policies for the use of spaces, through biophilic and restorative design of buildings (emulates nature and integrates), contact with nature, fostering social relationships (games, social spaces, activities…), programs to combat stress, management of emotions, mental strength and resilience. Promoting the feeling of well-being favors inclusion, relaxation and a feeling of security.
Health and virus-pandemic
All buildings and premises and their occupants or users must adapt to the new post-pandemic normality, it is a new lifestyle. We are going to do it through 3 points:
- Indoor improvement and hygienic materials: control of air, water, sanitary protocols… Use of anti-virus and antibacterial hygienic materials
- Responsible behavior: hand washing, distance, use of mask and IPEs…
- Increase the confidence of the occupants: reaction or emergency plan in the event of a pandemic or virus, communication plan, support for families, coverage of casualties, teleworking, etc.
Conclusions
It is in our hands to adapt the spaces in which we live, work, exercise or rest for the sake of our health, which is one of the most sacred things we have as human beings.