Designing Interior Environments that Support Health

Designing Interior Environments that Support Human Health
January 2017 SABMag ConEd Article
GBCI: 0920011947

Overview
The article looks at how designers can create interior environments that promote human health, wellbeing and productivity of the occupants. The article talks the reader through the various aspects of interior design that impact human health and wellbeing, and introduces strategies that can help achieve a healthier indoor environment.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this learning unit, the reader will be able to:

Understand the impact the design of an interior environment can have on its occupants in terms of health, wellbeing and productivity.
Understand how human health and wellbeing is now an important and essential aspect of holistic sustainable design.
Understand the connection between environmentally-focused design strategies commonly seen in green building rating systems, and human health-focused interior design strategies.
Differentiate the various interior design strategies that can positively impact different aspects of human health and wellbeing.

Assessment
All articles offered by SABMag are GBCI approved. To qualify for continuing education learning hours, practitioners must first read the technical article below, and then proceed to complete the short quiz at the end. You must receive 80% on the quiz to record the activity as part of your continuing education. An email will be sent to you and will act as your certificate of completion once you have successfully completed the requirements.

In order to obtain your CEU Certificate of Completion for this course (1h CE):

STEP 1 : Read the article Designing Interior Environments that Support Human Health (PDF format)

STEP 2 : Take the quiz and get a minimum of 8 out of 10 correct answers to receive your Certificate of Completion.

Quiz by: Kaitlyn Gillis and Michelle Biggar

1.

Of the three pillars of Sustainability, Social, Environmental, and Economic, “Sustainable Design” has always focused primarily on the “Social” aspect.

a. True

b. False

2.

Which has been the primary metric for the last few decades when measuring occupant health?

a. Number of employee sick days used

b. Productivity

c. Happiness

d. Reported stress

3.

Biophilic Design and the Biophilic Hypothesis suggest:

a. Humans should not work indoors

b. Humans should not work in cities

c. Humans need contact with nature

4.

Living walls, natural building materials and forms, natural light and areas of prospect and refuge, are all examples of:

a. Healthy Design

b. Human Design

c. Responsible Design

d. Biophilic Design

5.

How many hours a day do North Americans spend sitting down?

a. 16 Hours

b. 8 Hours

c. 13 Hours

d. 10 Hours

6.

This activity has been dubbed “the new smoking” by many researchers and contributes to various illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

a. Eating Fast Food

b. Consuming alcohol

c. Sitting

7.

Interior layout and design is not enough to foster active employees. Employers must also:

a. Promote physical activity in the workplace

b. Provide all employees with standing or treadmill desks

c. Mandate daily physical activity

8.

Having light available to us 24-hours per day can impact our:

a. Circadian rhythm

b. Sleep cycle

c. Melatonin production

d. All of the above

9.

Blue light ______ melatonin production:

a. Supresses

b. Stimulates

10.

Interior layout of spaces in a building has no effect on occupant health, it is only the introduction of windows, natural light, natural building materials and vegetation that impacts positive mental health.

a. True

b. False

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Designing Interior Environments that Support Health

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