The more I delve into the research, the more obvious it becomes – if we’re serious about creating and maintaining quality living spaces that are not just healthy but sustainable, we need to move beyond the narrow focus of damp, mould, and basic housing standards. We’ve got to think about the whole home. While fixing these issues is crucial, we must adopt a holistic approach to home design that’s not just about shelter but actively promotes good health.
We all know that in the UK, we spend a whopping 90% of our time indoors. Crazy, right? But here’s the kicker – our homes, offices, schools, and even hospitals aren’t exactly designed with our health in mind. Take lighting, for instance. Natural light is a game-changer for our wellbeing, influencing our mood, productivity, and overall health. There’s a growing body of evidence that patients with access to daylight recover faster and require less pain relief. Not enough exposure to natural light can impacts Vitamin D levels and our sleep patterns. So, we need to really think about home designs that let the sunshine in – big windows, good views of landscape and sky – and watch the health and happiness levels soar.
Indoor air quality is not just about damp and mould. Think tobacco smoke, vaping, household products, building materials, overcrowding, carbon monoxide, humidity levels, even scented candles. They all contribute to creating crappy air. Ventilation is often not just as simple as opening a window, it depends on where you live, which floor you are on, how safe you feel, how polluted or noisy it is outside, the time of year. . . all need to be taken into consideration when designing homes. Quality, well-maintained ventilation systems that residents can use and the use of eco-friendly materials are imperative to provide homes that not only give shelter but also serve up a breath of fresh, clean air.
Noise pollution is another issue that messes with our mental health and wellbeing. Designing homes with sound-absorbing and sound-resistant materials, smart layouts, and insulation that actually works can turn your home into a sanctuary, cutting down stress and boosting mental health.
Maintaining a comfortable home environment is also important, we all know what it feels like when we can’t sleep at night because it’s too hot. As we navigate the challenges of overheating, intensified by the impacts of climate change, and the rising cost of living which can make heating the home increasingly difficult, the importance of implementing sustainable and cost-effective heating and cooling solutions is vital.
And it’s not just about what’s inside our four walls. Green spaces around our homes are like happiness factories. Parks, gardens, a bit of greenery – they’re like mental health boosters. I’ve been part of the Green Spaces Advisory Board, and we have created a free blueprint for green spaces that are not just eco-friendly but also make social and economic sense.
Last but not least, feeling safe and secure? That’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s a must for both our physical and mental wellbeing. Well-lit spaces, locked-down entry points, and neighbourhoods that make sense – they’re the backbone of a home that’s truly a safe haven.
At Peabody we promote these aspects in our design standards for new homes as well as our new development sustainability framework – which is about more than just bricks and mortar. It focuses on people’s health and happiness, social value, natural resilience as well as resource efficiency so that we can make homes that are better for the environment and people’s pockets. However, there is no doubt creating healthy homes becomes more tricky when homes require retrofitting – this is an area that needs a lot more exploration and resources.
So, let’s shift our gaze from the basics so we can all benefit from a healthy home.
The housing adventures of Elly Hoult 