Active Offices: The Role of Healthy Building Design in Reducing Sedentary Behavior
1. Introduction
Individuals are leading an inactive lifestyle globally and the progress of implementing physical activity is very slow and uneven, WHO reported.
One animated film I saw depicted a future society in which people coexist with robots. Robots perform all the labor in that film, including transporting people, providing them with food, and providing them with entertainment; this is exactly what is happening to us all at the moment, except that the humans in the film are immobile. The nightmare would be, are we heading that way? Is an inactive or sedentary lifestyle good for our health?
In the workplace specifically, office workers spend approximately 70% to 81.8% of their working hours sitting. Another research stated that the median amount of time spent sitting on a typical weekday was found to be five hours across 20 different countries. An estimated 37% of Singaporean adults between the ages of 18 and 79 spend more than eight hours a day sitting down. This trend is also not absent in Jakarta, where 59% of office workers did not engage in physical activity and the employees engaged in sedentary behavior for eight hours a day, or 471 minutes.
Apparently, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and numerous other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are among the many adverse health outcomes that are strongly linked to sedentary activity, as is early death. The case for cardiovascular disease for example, long-term sitting lowers blood flow and raises the risk of heart disease by causing fatty acid accumulation in the blood vessels. Prolonged sitting also decreases the body’s sensitivity to insulin, contributing to increased blood sugar levels and a higher risk of diabetes. In the calorie department, it contributes to lower calorie expenditure, leading to weight gain and obesity over time. These are just examples of physical diseases, not including their effects on mental health risks and workplace productivity which can cause decreased cognition and increased stress.
At this point, the responsibility of many stakeholders becomes apparent to address the potential health effects on office workers. Frequently, no action is taken until workers have already fallen unwell or when absenteeism and productivity start to suffer. As a preventative measure, early intervention is, in fact, possible. One such intervention is the implementation of the healthy building concept in indoor environment design. The concept is centered on planning and structuring indoor spaces to encourage movement, enhance wellbeing, and lessen extended periods of sitting. Healthy buildings use techniques that promote mobility, social connection, and an active lifestyle in an effort to reduce sedentary behavior.
2. Healthy Buildings and Behavioral Changes Encouraged by Design
Healthy buildings are designed environments that prioritize the well-being of occupants by promoting physical health, mental well-being, and overall comfort. Frameworks such as Fitwel Certification and the WELL Building Standard state that healthy buildings emphasize a variety of elements that affect how people perceive their indoor environment. These structures address the direct relationship between human health and the built environment, going beyond sustainability. Access to nature, mental wellness, ergonomics and movements, acoustic comfort, lighting and thermal comfort, air quality, and the availability of water and nourishment are all important components of healthy buildings and their emphasis on human well-being. In the WELL Building Standard, these components are considered based on various categories of body systems, a few of them are cardiovascular system, digestive system, immune system, nervous system, and reproductive system. As a result, the framework for healthy buildings is more comprehensive than just building techniques and incorporates research on human health and bodily systems, which adds perspectives that are frequently overlooked in discussions about green and sustainable buildings.
With the concept of healthy buildings in mind, the design of a built environment plays a pivotal role in shaping the behaviors of its occupants. A space's layout and material selection are only two examples of how design choices can subtly promote sustainable, healthier habits. In this context, building design is not only about aesthetics or functionality—it is about how design influences behavior through its ability to promote physical activity, particularly in environments like offices. Through the purposeful design of spaces that facilitate healthier choices, buildings can encourage behavioral changes that result in improved physical and mental health.
The positioning of stairs, for example. According to behavioral science, people are more likely to embrace habits that are simpler to accomplish because they frequently choose the easiest route. Stair placement is one of the most well-known design techniques to promote physical exercise. Sedentary behavior is encouraged by the fact that elevators are frequently the usual means of accessing higher floors in buildings. However, the likelihood of stairs being used increases when they are made more aesthetically pleasing, accessible, and apparent. A study conducted by the Center for Active Design from Fitwel found that people are more likely to select stairs over elevators when they are positioned prominently near entrances or lobbies. Additionally, adding elements like clear signs, artistic finishes, and good lighting to stairs can improve their use and encourage more people to utilize them.
3. Design Strategies for Movement
Creating workplaces that promote physical activity requires the use of movement design principles in the context of workplace health. These are a few movement design solutions that support these ideas and provide an active work environment:
● Ergonomic and active workstation design
The health problems linked to extended sitting, such as back pain, poor circulation, and an elevated risk of heart disease, can be avoided with adjustable workstations that let users switch between sitting and standing during the day. As these desks can be automatically or manually changed, employees can choose the most comfortable position for their needs.
Another alternative that is more advanced than sit-and-stand desks would be active workstations. These workstations come with equipment that incorporates light exercise into the workday, such as step machines, stationary bicycles, and treadmills. For instance, a treadmill at a workstation enables workers to walk slowly while they work, or a stationary bike allows them to ride while they type. It is easier for employees to remain active throughout the day with these active workstations, which promote mobility without interfering with work.
● Proximity to stairs and aesthetically pleasing staircases
As previously mentioned, stairs should essentially be placed near elevators and entrances, making them an easy choice for individuals wanting to take the stairs. A staircase's likelihood of being used increases with its proximity to important locations, such as workstations, break rooms, or main entrances.
Staircases should also be aesthetically pleasing in addition to being practical. The application of natural elements, artwork, and bright lighting (at least 100 lux) would make stairs more welcoming for the employees. Natural light streaming in through windows or skylights can also enhance the staircase' aesthetic appeal and visibility. These design elements can make the stairs feel less utilitarian and more of an attractive space.
Incorporating gamified elements like leaderboards or step counters into the staircase design may also potentially encourage the employees to frequently take the stairs.
● Providing indoor or outdoor activity spaces
Creating environments that encourage physical exercise both indoors and outdoors can significantly improve employees' well-being, as it can shorten the distance and access they have to travel to public fitness facilities. While outdoor areas may provide access to sports courts, walking paths, or green areas for outdoor exercises, indoor areas may provide gyms, yoga studios, or multipurpose rooms for fitness classes.
● Providing cycling infrastructure, showers, lockers, and changing facilities
Ensuring the availability of safe and secure bike racks or storage areas is key to encouraging employees to cycle to work. These spaces should be conveniently located, well-lit, and secure. Additionally, it is essential to provide showers and changing rooms for employees who cycle to work or participate in physical activities during breaks. These facilities allow employees to refresh, change into their work clothes, and return to their tasks feeling comfortable and revitalized.
● Supporting wellness policies and programs
While design acts as a subtle encouragement, adding organizational strategies can be beneficial in improving the health and well-being of employees through a combination of initiatives that promote physical, mental, and emotional health. These strategies in forms of programs and policies typically focus on creating an environment that supports healthy behaviors while also addressing the challenges of maintaining work-life balance and stress management. Examples include bike-to-work challenges, healthy eating initiatives, or incentives for healthy behaviors.
4. Conclusion
Despite the focus on the employees in this article, research shows that incorporating an activity-friendly environment could also benefit other stakeholders, such as employers, building owners, developers, retailers, taxpayers, even government—as the benefits are not limited to human health and well-being, but also environmental health and economic gains.
Active design, as discussed earlier, has positive impacts on behavioral change to improve lifestyles from sedentary to more physically active because the environment is supported by more accessible and more carefully designed active features, thus providing health benefits. These efforts are expected to prevent health risks that arise from physical inactivity and can lead to better cardiovascular health, reduced obesity rates, and lower incidences of chronic diseases. Specifically in the workplace, active design and the concept of healthy buildings as a whole that are applied can increase productivity, enhance concentration and mental well-being, provide higher energy levels, and greater job performance.
Companies that prioritize employee well-being through active design are likely to attract top talent and retain them, as it can result in a stronger employer brand and reduced turnover. Additionally, organizations can expect long-term financial benefits due to reduced healthcare costs and lower absenteeism.
Creating a healthy workplace is not just an investment in the well-being of employees—it is a strategic move that can lead to improved productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced employee satisfaction. Active design elements should be included into the workplace as companies continue to place a high priority on the mental and physical well-being of their employees. Numerous alternatives exist to build a more dynamic and healthier atmosphere, ranging from stair-friendly areas and ergonomic workstations to bicycle infrastructure and wellness initiatives. Now more than ever, organizations have the opportunity to foster a culture of well-being that drives success and innovation for years to come by committing to designing workspaces that support healthy, engaged, and active employees.
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