What is the Difference Between Wellness-Centered and Sustainable Design?
What is the Difference between Wellness-Centered and Sustainable Design?
At KLPOA we are dedicated to practicing “wellness-centered” architecture. Every project is evaluated through this lens and our leadership and expertise in this arena provides value and peace of mind to our clients. Sometimes, however, we are asked what the difference is between wellness centered architecture and “green” or sustainable architecture. This article aims to provide an explanation as well as clarify some similarities and differences between these two concepts.
Sustainable/Green Architecture
At its core, sustainable architecture is concerned with the natural environment and architecture’s impact on our planet. Practitioners of sustainable design recognize the immense impact of the built environment on the natural environment, and aim to minimize this impact and be responsible stewards of our shared natural resources. As such they study and implement strategies and best practices to minimize the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the buildings they design. A sustainable building, may, for instance include solar panels on the roof or a geothermal energy system to take advantage of renewable energy on site. It may also be constructed from recycled materials or materials with a low embodied energy to reduce its carbon footprint.
Another major focus of green architecture is energy efficiency. Energy efficient appliances and mechanical systems are prioritized, especially the HVAC system which is often a building’s biggest energy expenditure. There is also a focus on the building envelope, especially emphasizing insulation and air sealing strategies. Many sustainable buildings exceed building code requirements for insulation or air sealing and some are even designed for net-zero status where whatever energy the building uses is balanced by energy produced on site.
There are numerous organizations and building standards that aim to promote sustainability in architecture. LEED, a voluntary program of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is one example that is widely recognized. Passivhaus, developed originally in Europe, prioritizes tight and highly insulated exterior envelopes to minimize inefficiency and energy loss.
In short, we can think of sustainable architecture as being focused on how architecture impacts the large-scale systems of our world like the environment or the planet.
Wellness-Centered Architecture
Wellness-centered architecture, on the other hand, is focused on the individual. More specifically, on their overall health and wellbeing, and how architecture impacts and promotes their complete flourishing in a holistic manner. Ultimately, all architecture is human-centric; it is envisioned, designed, and built with the human user in mind (well, perhaps outside of AI data-centers…).
Wellness-centered architecture recognizes that humans spend most of their time indoors, and that the built-environment is our everyday ecosystem. What that ecosystem is made of, how we interact with it, how we feel when we spend time in it, and many other similar questions are critically important to both our short and long-term wellbeing. Moreover, this approach acknowledges that health is multidimensional: physical wellness is only one part of a broader equation that includes emotional balance, mental clarity, and connection to nature.
As with sustainable architecture, there are also institutions and programs that promote wellness-centered design. The International Well Building Institute's (IWBI) WELL Building Standard, is one such program. WELL aims to promote evidence-based, verifiable, implementable, and feedback-focused practices and strategies for improving the quality of the built environment with respect to human health. KLPOA is founded and led by a WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) indicating a commitment to and leadership in these best practices.
What does this mean on a practical level? At KLPOA practicing wellness-centered architecture means listening to clients and assessing their individual wellness needs and concerns. Applying science-backed best practices and techniques we can then prioritize various elements of the building to ensure the final product is holistically crafted to support and enhance the wellbeing of its occupants. This means prioritizing exceptional indoor air quality, natural light and ventilation, circadian designed lighting, non-toxic materials, acoustic comfort, and designing for movement, biophilia, and mental restoration.
Complimentary, Not Competing
While there are differences between sustainable and wellness-centered design, they are not in opposition. Both aim to critically examine conventional practice and improve the built environment for the better. The key distinction lies in focus: sustainability emphasizes environmental responsibility, while wellness-centered design emphasizes human health and experience.
That said, a sustainable building is not automatically a healthy one. A home designed for low energy use may still have poor air quality, insufficient daylight, or materials that emit toxins. This is why a dedicated focus on wellness is so essential.
At KLPOA, we practice wellness-centered design, however this does not mean that sustainability or energy-efficiency fall by the wayside or are disregarded. In fact, we seek out ways to implement strategies that are both healthy and sustainable, ensuring your project has the best of both worlds; a building responsible to both the planet and the people who inhabit it.