Strategic Advantage: How to win Competition(s)?
Non Architecture March 27, 2024
Welcome back! Before we delve deeper, don’t forget to check the materials section at the top of the page to enrich your understanding. Now, let’s dive into why this topic is crucial. You know, they say architecture is the mother of all arts, but let’s not forget she’s also a guardian of well-being. Here’s why ‘Designing for Well-being’ is not a buzzword—it’s a revolution. 🌍
👤 Holistic Human Experience
First off, architecture isn’t just playing with blocks or pulling off a stunning facade. Nah, it’s about tailoring human experiences. Imagine the elements of light, air, and sound swirling together to create a perfect haven of well-being. Ahh, feels good, doesn’t it?
🌇 Societal Magic
Think about this: Can your design make people smile more? A space’s vibe can either pull a community together or push it apart. Bad design can lead to health woes and widen social gaps, but a well-thought-out space can be a community’s BFF.
💰 Economic Superpowers
Here’s where you go from being just an architect to an architect-hero. Designs that are big on well-being are also big on sustainability and low maintenance. Plus, if you’re designing workspaces, you’re actually boosting productivity and helping businesses flourish. Ka-ching!
🌿 Green is the New Black
It’s no longer enough to be just beautiful or functional; you gotta be eco-chic too. Eco-friendly equals well-being-friendly. From natural lighting to efficient ventilation, you can help save the planet while lifting spirits.
🌈 Ethical Vibes Only
A social warrior in disguise—that’s what you are when you design for well-being. It’s our ethical duty to create spaces that not only stand but also stand for something. Skirting around well-being? Nope, that’s an ethical no-no.
🤖 Tech-Savvy Sanctuaries
Future architects, meet your new best friends: AI and advanced software. They can simulate human behavior, model air and light flows, and basically bring your well-being designs from doodles to dynamic realities.
🏆 Stay Ahead, Stay Booked
If you get well-being design down, you’re not just good, you’re golden. Clients love architects who create meaningful spaces. Your portfolio isn’t just a photo album; it’s a testament to your edge in the market.
⚖️ Legal Eagles
Yep, you heard it here first. Well-being is moving from the mood boards to the law books. New regulations are cropping up, and you’ll want to be the architect who’s not just following the rules but helping write them.
🔥 The Takeaway
So, why should ‘Designing for Well-being’ be your new mantra? Because it combines your creativity with your societal, economic, and ethical responsibilities. In short, it makes you an architect of today and a visionary for tomorrow.
Let’s not be yesterday’s architects working on tomorrow’s problems. Let’s be today’s architects shaping tomorrow’s solutions. Are you with me? Let’s roll!
🎯 Your Challenge
(Please note that this challenge is entirely optional. Choosing not to do it will not compromise your final result or your ability to earn a certificate for this course. The challenge is designed to offer an additional layer of engagement and practical experience, but it is not a requirement for successful course completion.)
Why do you think “Designing for Well-being” is non-negotiable in modern architecture? Consider its impact on society, the economy, and the environment. Share examples or experiences that have shaped your viewpoint directly in the Meditation Roofs Competition Group!
What if, by making a few small changes to our homes, schools and workplaces, we could improve mental health around the world? Ben Channon, author of Happy by Design, explains how buildings affect our mood in ways that you might find surprising.
Ben is an Associate and Mental Wellbeing Ambassador at Assael Architecture, chair of the Architects’ Mental Wellbeing Forum, and author of ‘Happy by Design: A Guide to Architecture and Mental Wellbeing’. He studied architecture at Cardiff University from 2007-2012. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
- CAN YOUR BUILDING MAKE YOU SICK? THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN ARCHITECTURE
Have you ever walked into a building and felt uncomfortable, stuffy, or sick? It’s not just in your head. Poor building DESIGN can lead to a variety of health hazards, including poor air quality, mold, sick building syndrome, noise and light pollution and even chronic disease. On the other hand, healthy building design can promote better indoor air quality, natural lighting, and acoustic control, leading to improved health and well-being for building occupants.
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PLACE AND PUBLIC HEALTH: THE IMPACT OF ARCHITECTURE ON WELLBEING
ARCHITECTS play a critical role in shaping the qualities of our environment; they work in collaboration with end users and their needs and ambitions, and they have the power to restore and promote solidarity, mental and physical health and be a source of happiness.
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HOW DOES ARCHITECTURE IMPACT HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
Whether we like it or not, we are affected by our external environment. Perhaps, the role of ARCHITECTURE is often overlooked because it does not enforce rules but only offers subtle suggestions. But today, research is already showing the effects of architecture on our behaviour, mood, social interactions and daily routines. It shows that the relation between architecture and health extends beyond healthcare architecture- our interaction with the built environment affects our physical health- our psychological, nervous and immune systems, blood pressure and body temperature.