Architecture and design elements that make for a goodwellness centre
Updated: Apr 10
Designing a balanced wellness centre can be a great way to create a space that helps with mind, body and spirit. You can't be healthy in a sick building.
The ancient Vedic texts of India carry a wealth of knowledge about architecture and its relevance to health and wellness. The practice of designing buildings that are in harmony with nature is known as ‘Vastu’, which literally means abode.
For thousands of years, the Vedic science of Vastu has been used to guide the building process in India, where houses were built according to the principles of Vastu. Interestingly, while this science is considered to be part of Indian culture, it is also very relevant in many cultures around the world.
We are a company that designs buildings that are in harmony with nature. Our architects have used Vastu Shastra principles to design homes and offices, which are in balance with the five elements of nature—air, earth, fire, water, and space. Let’s take a look at some of our projects.
Creating an atmosphere that affords feelings of relaxation and joy for the people who use it is one of the most important elements in successful architecture. That’s why people keep coming back to buildings, hotels, spas that make them feel good. Architecture is able to help people feel relaxed and joyful by capitalising on its connection to human experiences.
Facilities for yoga, meditation and relaxation work well with a sphere advantage -- energy is progressive in a dome-shaped structure. In a dome, the open space with a high ceiling gives us a feeling of endlessness, and we see the sky above our heads. A person in such a space feels small but at the same time becomes part of a larger whole. You feel like you are part of nature, not separated from it. They are also known for their endlessness when looking up at the sky from inside them (this can have positive effects on people with anxiety or depression). Know more about the advantages of the dome shape in architecture, specially for wellness and healing centres here.
Focus areas for wellness centres
Wellness centres usually offer services such as fitness, personal training and nutrition consulting. Some wellness centres offer more alternate services such as chiropractic, acupuncture, or holistic medicine.
Wellness-focused design involves lighting, materials, air and sound quality, neutral colour palettes, biophilic design (connecting architecture and nature), greenery, and outdoor-indoor space integration—to name just a few key design areas. In this post we will look at how the laws of Vastu can be applied in modern times, and can help us design better wellness centres. For many property owners who want to provide their employees with the best possible work environment or who want to demonstrate their environmental responsibility, biophilic design can seem like a luxury.
These design areas are vital to wellness centres: Pool Spa Fitness studio Treatment and consultation rooms Changing rooms Staff training area Reception and waiting area
Broad steps in designing your wellness centre: First, think about the location Create an open layout Create warm and inviting spaces Day lighting is important for more reasons than one Lighting plays an important role in the overall design of a wellness centre Consider who will most likely be using the facility.
Benefits of good design in Wellness Centres include -better energy efficiency -increased employee productivity -increased occupancy rates and rentals -reduced sick days -higher net operating income (NOI) per square foot -higher capital values
How do you ensure your wellness centre is built for sustainability, comfort, and appeal?
Today, architects are still designing with wellness in mind, but they’re also looking at existing buildings and their impact on health. Researchers at Harvard University have found a correlation between access to green space and health outcomes. Green spaces offer a place to exercise and socialize, which can reduce stress and increase activity levels among people who live near them. Within design circles, wellness-focused design is exploding in popularity, as many designers realize that a building’s ecological footprint can have a tremendous impact on the occupants’ physical, emotional and mental well-being. Designers who specialize in the wellness-focused approach to architecture, interior design and construction, work with clients and businesses to create appealing interior environments that nurture both people and the planet. Biophilic design is a way to bring the outside in by using natural elements like wood, stone and plants into the space; one reason this works so well is because it activates our instinctive connection with nature. A little greenery can help improve productivity and creativity; plants are also ideal for absorbing noise. Natural materials like wood, stone and linen can also help workers feel more comfortable and less stressed.
Wellness-focused design is not just about aesthetics; it also involves functionality and connects to our biological, cognitive, and social needs. A passive approach to creating wellness environments focuses on what an architect or interior designer can do to produce a room or space for comfort. But successful wellness-focused design goes beyond the individual person—it involves the consideration of the building code and its impact on air quality, materials that are sustainable and healthy, lighting that promotes circadian adaptions, acoustic reverberation (or noise control), greenery that produces microclimate conditions that improve health, ample outdoor-indoor connections, biophilic design (connecting architecture and nature), intense colours with calming effect, and more. Good lighting has been shown to boost employee productivity and reduce stress levels. So instead of using harsh overhead lighting, explore ways to combine natural light with softer lamps. Neutral colour palettes help keep people calm and creative. Equally important is the indoor air quality, which can be improved through low or no-VOC finishes, no or low-off-gassing furniture and better HVAC systems that filter out bacteria and allergens.
Let us all remember -- designing healthy buildings improves human health.