Health + Wellness Standards and Laws

This week, the focus is on Health + Wellness Standards and Laws. So I'll dive right in. I think the standards and certifications that encourage green building or health-related standards such as LEED or WELL AP are fantastic. Their implementation is making significant progress for the greater good of the environment and humans, BUT we can't stop there. Chapter 7 of the Kopec book states that Active Design and Inclusive (or Universal) Design are more prominent in the green certification programs than in either of the two HR Standards discussed. This further reiterates that none of the certificates are all-encompassing in their positive impacts. While I believe the green certifications are essential, making a dent in the inequalities, we face as a society is just as critical.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and self-actualization.

I found an article titled Towards a Positive Psychology of Buildings and Workplace Community the Positive Built Workplace Environment, which included these needs and their relationship to the built environment. It highlights the impact of the physical environment on performance, engagement, and gratitude. While it is written with the workplace in mind, I felt the concept could easily be applied to a residential environment. All of the design-related positive built work environment concepts are important to emphasize, but for this post, I want to draw attention to this one: "Physically safe, injury-free environment, the building imparts a sense of security and safety." 

Needs lower down in the hierarchy or pyramid must be satisfied before individuals can focus on needs higher up. If individuals never attain a sense of security or physiological comfort, they will never thrive. They will continually struggle or worse, cease to exist.

Shouldn't it be our goal for all humans to reach peak levels? I feel it is a fundamental human right. But for that, we need even more inclusive standards and codes. We need laws to protect the vulnerable and weak. We need advocates to speak on behalf of those who don't have a voice.

I understand one person realistically can not change the world, but each individual can leverage their knowledge, skills, and expertise to make a difference. I also think one person can only truly be dedicated to a few "causes" before you are spread so thin that your ability to make an impact is significantly diminished. So we each must choose our causes, be an advocate, and set forth to make a difference. For me, as I stated in my last blog, I will continue to advocate for additional policies that focus on the individual and their journey to thrive.  

To conclude, as designers, I feel if we want to build a better society and do the most good, we need to be advocating for higher standards within the built environment that meet the physical and physiological needs of the inhabitants. Go above the minimum requirements and standards currently set to get by. Do not allow the checklist mentality to be your comfort zone once you can exceed expectations. Until then, ask questions, understand the minimum standards' policies, why they are the way they are, and how they do not work for all individuals. If you fully understand a topic inside and out, you are much more likely to move away from the checklist in a thoughtful and valuable way and drive positive change. 

stacey