Designers are kicking ‘sick building syndrome’ to the curb and inviting natural systems to be your new roommates. Think plenty of sunlight, fresh air flowing through offices, and a generous dash of greenery.
However, simply adding a few plants isn’t enough. True “healthy” design requires a holistic approach that integrates many elements of the built environment.
First up, the SDE 4 building (by Serie + Multiply Architects with Surbana Jurong) at the National University of Singapore and Malaysia’s Factory in the Forest (by Design Unit Architects) show us what’s possible in large academic and industrial buildings. Their secret? Smart passive strategies that create cool, comfortable spaces — even in sweltering climates.
SDE 4 (by Serie + Multiply Architects with Surbana Jurong) at the National University of Singapore was the first new-build net-zero energy building in Singapore.
© Rory Gardiner
Meanwhile, over in the USA, the Clif Bar Baking Company (by Babcock Design) is showing us how to bake in well-being from the ground up. This isn’t your average factory. It’s a materialisation of biophilic principles, where nature and industry coexist and support human comfort.
The Clif Bar Baking Company (Twin Falls, USA), by Babcock Design, uses 37% less water and 21% less energy than most conventional bakeries.
Source: Clif Bar
But what about where many of us spend most of our waking hours? Forget stuffy cubicles and fluorescent lights: Deloitte Sydney (by HASSELL), located within Quay Quarter Tower, feels more like a vertical village. It offers a spectrum of areas of respite, healthy material choices, and nods to Sydney’s most beloved outdoor spots.
Deloitte Sydney by HASSELL features four interconnected ‘vertical villages’ spread across 14 floors, that cater to diverse work styles, roles, and preferences.
© Earl Carter
Lastly, we’ll see architecture that becomes a healing force in its own right. Maggie’s, Yorkshire in the UK (by Heatherwick Studio) shows how spaces can comfort and uplift when we need it most.
Maggie’s, Yorkshire (Leeds, UK), by Heatherwick Studio, was designed to feel more like a hug than a healthcare space. This haven provides free emotional support to de-stress cancer patients.
© Hufton + Crow
We spend most of our lives indoors, yet the impact of interiors on our health is often relegated to an afterthought. These projects show how well-being can be woven into a project’s DNA from the start.