Wellbeing and sustainability. They’re grouped together the majority of the time, but does designing for great wellbeing genuinely contribute to more sustainable buildings, or is it a distraction from the big issue of trying to reduce the embodied and operational carbon in our buildings to get to Net Zero Carbon by 2050, with the mid-way target of 2030 fast approaching?
In order to design a sustainable building we want to ensure what we are building is not negatively impacting the environment. The big target for the built environment is achieving Net Zero Carbon; there are various targets and pledges which the industry can and is using and is committed to in order to achieve this goal – LETI, The RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge and The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment by the WGBC to name a few. Achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 is non-negotiable, the built environment sector ‘is globally responsible for 36% of energy consumption, 38% of energy related carbon emissions, 50% of resource consumption, and expected to double in total footprint by 2060.’
[The built environment] is globally responsible for 36% of energy consumption, 38% of energy related carbon emissions, 50% of resource consumption, and expected to double in total footprint by 2060
World Green Building Council
So in very simple terms to get to Net Zero Carbon, we need to reduce the embodied carbon of the building we are designing through careful selection of low embodied carbon materials and processes; ensure the operational aspects are as low carbon as possible, and whatever carbon remains can be offset by planting trees to sequester the carbon. For a less simplified version, refer to this graphic and explanation produced by OneClickLCA.
So where and how does wellbeing sit within that? This post will now explore how designing for good wellbeing, as well as the target on Net Zero Carbon will inevitably lead to healthier buildings, happier people and buildings which last for a longer time.
A building which is great for wellbeing does not automatically equal great sustainability and vice versa. For example, a building could be the most comfortable space with high specification lighting, materials, furniture and finishes, have great amenities, be very inclusive and generally be an all round great space to be in. However, this could all be achieved with poor environmental performance, high energy consumption mechanical systems to keep the building at optimum temperature, finishes and furniture shipped from the other side of the world and materials which require high energy processes to manufacture them. This could be compounded further if the decision to design for great wellbeing was added in towards the end of the construction programme, and therefore many of these aspects had to potentially be shoe-horned in, with perfectly adequate materials ripped out and replaced and lots of waste created.
A building which is great for wellbeing does not automatically equal great sustainability and vice versa.
On the other hand i’m sure you can imagine that you could create a building of the latest low carbon or even carbon negative materials and technologies, powered completely from renewable sources to provide a truly sustainable building which has had zero impact on the environment, even including the end of its life where every component is either reused, recycled or simply biodegrades. However, this could also be an incredibly uncomfortable building, with poor thermal comfort, poor lighting and not very accessible therefore not lived in or used and has to be pulled down and replaced.
So as always it’s about balance. Whilst designing for Net Zero Carbon is vital, we also have to ensure that the building is still meeting the other targets of profitability, comfort, 21st century living and of course great wellbeing.
These things all need to be considered early on and included with first principles. A building which is great for wellbeing can also contribute to Net Zero Carbon design. 10 examples based on the WELL Building Standard features have been given below, however many more can be identified:
| Principle | An example of good wellbeing design | How does that contribute to low carbon design? |
| Air | High quality internal air which does not exceed optimum levels of particles, VOCs and CO² | High quality internal air equals a healthy building which occupants enjoy being in, therefore contributing to the longevity and success of the building occupation |
| Water | Well designed watertight buildings to reduce any water damage or internal mould growth | No water damage means no need to use additional resources to repair or replace damaged materials |
| Nourishment | Education on and offering of healthy and nourishing foods which are locally grown | Education and reducing reliance on highly processed foods, encouraging seasonal eating and eating locally can reduce the carbon footprint of the food consumed |
| Light | Maximising exposure to natural light from plan depth to window dimensions | More natural lighting equals less reliance on artificial lighting, therefore less use of electricity from non-renewable energy sources |
| Movement | Encourage taking the stairs and promote active transportation instead of reliance on cars | Encouraging less car use equals less use of fossil fuels to fuel cars |
| Thermal Comfort | Providing optimum thermal comfort for comfortable buildings which are well used and lived in | Good thermal comfort equals no need for additional heating or cooling devices, which would require further demand on non-renewable energy sources |
| Sound | Providing optimum acoustic comfort for comfortable buildings which are well used and lived in | A well used building with no need for additional soundproofing or retrofitting of space, therefore contributing to the longevity and success of the building occupation |
| Materials | Healthy materials with low off gassing of chemicals equals a lower chance of ‘sick building syndrome’ | A well used building which has no need for materials to be ripped out and replaced, therefore reducing need for additional resources |
| Mind | Providing access to nature which can reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing | Buildings which have positive impacts on the occupants mental health will retain and attract tenants, therefore contributing to the longevity and success of the building occupation |
| Community | A building which is accessible and inclusive to all, reduces need for future retrofitting | No additional resources required to retrofit or modify the building to allow for inclusivity and accessibility |
However we can’t forget that as well as good wellbeing and Net Zero Carbon design, these buildings need to meet profitability targets and be fit for purpose. Balancing all of these aspects requires incredibly well considered design from the outset, however it will get easier as new technologies are developed, new materials are launched onto the market and demand increases so that buildings can meet all of the targets with more choice of material and lower costs.
To conclude, this post has explored how wellbeing can contribute to better sustainable building design, with a warning that this isn’t always the case and wellbeing should be considered (as should designing for Net Zero Carbon) at first principles. The second part of this post delves into how wellbeing can be designed in at first principles, using evidence based targets and a robust methodology from RIBA Stage 0 through to Stage 7.
Project Wellbeing 