The momentum to create homes that don’t just offer shelter but actively support our health is rapidly growing, particularly as we have seen recent deaths of children from mould-infested homes and growing awareness of the harmful health impacts of poorly designed and maintained housing. The data tells us that the average person is now spending around 70% of their time in their homes, which highlights how important this is to our health. Significantly, the number of people over 60 spending most of their time in their homes is expected to double by 2050, and with an ever-changing climate, it is becoming more crucial for homes to provide safe protection from these increasingly extreme weather conditions, which older populations are more susceptible to being at risk from, while simultaneously maintaining and promoting health.

A recent US survey study showed that the more poor housing characteristics (e.g. cracks in the ceiling, plumbing problems, etc) a home has, the poorer the overall health status of the residents, the higher the medical use and the higher the likelihood of hospitalisation. Urban and disadvantaged communities are at particular risk, with one study of 788 households showing that roughly two thirds of those had more than four health issues relating to the housing condition. Yet, it isn’t just the homes of underprivileged groups that can pose health risks. The reality is, any housing that is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer due to poor design can cause heat-related illnesses and increase cardiovascular mortality. As a key example, indoor air pollution – which is now considered the biggest environmental killer – is connected to a wide range of noncommunicable disease outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular conditions as well as allergies and asthma.

Fortunately, wherever an environment can cause harm, it can also be harnessed to improve residents’ well-being if designed effectively. The concept of healthy home design isn’t just a trend; it’s rooted in evidence-based benefits that are transforming the way we envision our living spaces. From better quality of life to deeper sleep and improved cognitive function, a huge body of research underscores the tangible benefits of healthy home design for residents. Some examples include:

Better Quality of Life

There is no doubt that we would all feel the benefit of waking up to a sunlit living space with a view of a beautiful garden or a calming landscape. Studies have shown that such design choices have a profound impact on residents’ quality of life including a direct correlation between increasing access to natural light with an overall improvement in life satisfaction and happiness scores. The incorporation of communal areas and green spaces also plays a role in promoting relaxation and social interaction, further enhancing residents’ daily experiences.

Fewer Illnesses

The air that we breathe within our homes can significantly impact our health. Healthy home design prioritises proper ventilation, effective air filtration systems, and humidity control. An interesting study conducted in a school revealed that improved indoor air quality resulting from such measures can notably reduce the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and illnesses. By minimizing the build-up of allergens, mould, and pollutants, healthy homes create an environment conducive to good health.

Improved Sleep and Cognitive Function

Effective lighting design and abundant exposure to natural light is critical for supporting circadian health which determines sleep and hormonal balance, while also holding the potential to boost cognitive function and productivity. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2018 discovered that exposure to natural light during the day, combined with optimised sleep quality resulting from well-designed bedrooms, contributes to better cognitive function, memory retention, and attention span.

Connection with Nature

Bringing the outdoors inside is proving to be an important factor to improving mental well-being. Biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements like indoor plants and natural materials like timber, has demonstrated remarkable results. Research highlights the positive impact of biophilic design on stress reduction, focus enhancement, illness and mood improvement. This connection with nature within the built environment taps into a primal sense of tranquility and balance.

Reducing Toxic Exposure

Unseen toxins lurking in all areas of our homes – from paints, to furniture, to cleaning products, poor water quality, mould, allergens, synthetic air fresheners, and everything in between – can pose numerous long-term health risks. Healthy home design tackles this concern by incorporating low-VOC paints, non-toxic materials and cleaning products. Evidence shows that such measures significantly contribute to reduced chronic health issues, including asthma and allergies, among occupants. By creating an environment with minimal exposure to harmful substances, healthy homes promote long and prosperous lives.

In practice, a good example demonstrating this is Denver’s Lakehouse Community which was certified to WELL v1 was studied by Colorado State University. Nearly all the resident satisfaction markers improved from pre-occupancy surveying to post-occupancy surveying with significant improvement in areas such as social interactions with neighbours increasing by 31%, time spent sitting decreasing by 41 minutes a day. Residents reported better air quality, views, exposure to natural light, acoustics, a diet that was 50% more organic, and more. Another study in Chicago was designed to compare the difference in families health after they moved into a new healthy housing development versus a control group that moved into traditionally repaired housing. The results showed that physical and mental health improved significantly in the healthy housing group compared to the control group with improvements in asthma, headaches, angina, allergies, sinusitis, sleep quality and missed school and workdays.

With so many people spending increasing amounts of time in their homes, particularly in urban environments, we can no longer ignore the need to optimise these spaces for the sake of improving National and Global health. Better homes also lead to a ripple effect of benefits for the developers and operators, including potentially higher values and gaining long-standing and happier tenants. At Ekkist, we make incorporating health and well-being into the heart of design and development strategies as seamless as possible, with a number of consultancy services. Whether this is focused on accountability and approval through a third-party certification like WELL, Fitwel or the Home Quality Mark, detailed design guidance via The Healthy Homes Checklist, or something completely bespoke, we offer a range of solutions for creating healthy housing for all types of tenure and residential use.