Ergonomics and Healthy Villa Design
“Ergonomics” what does it mean? Good ergonomics is kind of making everything fit both physically and psychologically. For example in a traffic jam the cars don’t fit. You could say the ergonomics of the road design are bad. A human skeleton has to fit an office chair – that’s ergonomics. In your kitchen design think about how many people will cook and where they will do things. If everyone in the household makes their own breakfast at the same time and there is no room around the toaster / fridge / coffee machine that’s bad ergonomics.
So this word “ergonomics” is used by designers to describe the human factors in the design including the physical layout of the spaces and volumes, interior air quality, noise, light, texture and how the buildings features affect the human body physically emotionally and mentally. It’s often discussed in the design of workplaces and is of no less importance in the design of the home.
In my view ergonomics is far more important in the home because its where you LIVE. It’s where you spend most of your time. It’s where you sleep and eat, nurture your relationships, maybe nurture your children, relax, and develop as a person. The design should be entirely focussed on supporting your health, happiness and well-being.
We believe that the human factors in a villa design are often not addressed directly and they should be hence the campaign this year in 2020 (#healthyhousedesign) which covers amongst other topics the following:
- Natural Light Design Features for Health and Well Being
- Healthy Heating Systems
- Design Your Villa for Clean Air
- Design for Healthy Temperature and Humidity
- Electro Magnetic Fields and Your Health
- The Effect of Artificial Light on Health Mood and Performance
- Healthy Cooling Systems
- Design For Healthy Acoustics
- Plants and Healthy Villa Design
I have found this Beverley Hills “wellness mansion” ($24.5M) which is entertaining and informative. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/20/beverly-hills-mansion-includes-delos-wellness-features.html
Here are the features:
- Lighting system that mimics circadian rhythms
- Air purification system
- Water filter and de-chlorinator
- Floors made of ergonomic wood that boost your posture
- Showers infused with vitamin C
- Gym
- Massage room
- Himalayan salt room
- A den!!!
Then there are these people in Australia who have made health and well being the entire focus of their design. https://delos.com.au/about/ I am sure we could all learn a thing or two from them.