The Well-being Rainbow—Physical, Mental, Emotional and More
Non Architecture March 27, 2024
Hey, design mavericks! We’re back and ready to dissect the magical spectrum of well-being. It’s not just a word, it’s a whole mood—or should I say, a blend of moods? 🌈 Don’t forget, as always, to check the materials section at the top of the page to gear up with all the essential info. Now, let’s unravel the vibrant array of sentiments that construct our well-being, shall we?
🏋️♀️ Physical Well-being
First up, let’s talk about the body—the very foundation of our experience. Architecture isn’t just eye candy; it’s got to be ‘body-friendly’ too. Think ergonomic furniture, safe materials, and easy navigation. If your design gets people moving and grooving, you’re on the right track!
🧠 Mental Zen Zone
Okay, quiz time! What’s the mental impact of staring at a blank wall all day? Spoiler alert: It’s not great. Our mental well-being is affected by spatial layouts, color schemes, and even texture. Design spaces that say, ‘Hey, come in and think happy thoughts.’
❤️ Heartfelt Spaces
Let’s talk feelings. Yep, architecture has an emotional frequency. Picture a room filled with natural light, soft textures, and a cozy nook. Doesn’t that just warm your heart? Emotional well-being in a space can turn a house into a home or an office into an oasis.
😌 Spiritual Harmony
And then there’s the soul—the ethereal, the sublime, the awe-inspiring. Spaces can be spiritual sanctuaries that bring peace to the mind and soul. Whether it’s through meditation zones or intricate designs that inspire wonder, aim for the soulful.
🌍 Environmental Harmony
Green thumb, anyone? Building in harmony with the environment isn’t just eco-friendly; it’s eco-wonderful for our well-being. Think green roofs, nature pathways, or even indoor plants that make us feel at one with Mother Earth.
🤝 Social Connectivity
Last but not least, we’re social animals, folks! Designing spaces that encourage interaction can combat loneliness and build community. From communal kitchens to open-concept layouts, these designs can be friendship starters.
🎯 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.)
So, in the realm of well-being, what hue are you? Your challenge for this topic is to create a digital mood board that speaks to the different dimensions of well-being—physical, mental, and all that jazz—in an architectural setting!
What You Need:
- Your go-to digital platforms for inspo (Instagram, Pinterest, architecture blogs, etc.)
- A mood board software (like Canva or Miro) or a PowerPoint slide
- Your creative genius (non-negotiable!)
How to Roll:
- Choose Your Vibe: Pick two aspects of well-being that intrigue you the most—could be physical, emotional, or any other.
- Brainwave: Start jotting down your ideas. What elements could enhance these dimensions of well-being in a building?
- The Hunt: Quickly scout the digital world for images or videos that personify your chosen well-being aspects.
- Digital Craftsmanship: Open up your mood board software and start assembling your finds into a compelling visual story.
- Reflection Time: Add some text or annotations to your mood board explaining your choices. Make it personal and insightful!
What’s Next?
- Upload your mood board to the Meditation Roofs Competition Group!
- Check out what your peers created and leave your thoughts. Yep, even though it’s a solo mission, the competition page is where we build our collective wisdom!
The Final Beat:
Before you sign off, pen down a quick post or record a short video reflection—what did this exercise reveal to you? How are you planning to weave in these well-being vibes into your next big design?
Alright, designers of well-being, that wraps up Topic 4. Up next, we dive into a brief overview of how architectural designs have focused on well-being in the past. Excited? You should be. Catch you in the next one!
Wellbeing is often described as the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. Many researchers in the field have worked over many years to be able to more closely define well-being – with many agreeing that it is a global assessment of a person’s quality of life according to his or her own chosen criteria. The World Health Organisation agrees that this is a broad-ranging concept affected in a complex way by the person’s physical health, psychological state, personal beliefs, social relationships and their relationship to features of their environment. Understanding the role of our environments and in particular our built environment is an important area of research as we spend up to 90% of our time as humans either inside buildings or vehicles.
If we can design and construct buildings that improve our well-being, why wouldn’t we?
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WHAT ARE THE 5 DIFFERENT TYPES OF WELLBEING
Wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of our lives, impacting our quality of LIFE and overall happiness. It's about experiencing positive emotions and having a subjective sense of emotional balance. But let's not get too technical here, let's talk about the good stuff.
Feeling good is what we all want, right? Well, well-being is the key to achieving that. It's what makes us feel alive, energised and fulfilled. And who doesn't want that?