Abstract
This study reviews the design strategies of the WELL Building Standards to analyze the impacts of designing interior environments to support circadian rhythm. The International WELL Building Institute developed the WELL Building Standards to identify best practices in design and construction with evidence-based health and wellness interventions (IWBI, 2019). Light is one of the main external stimuli influencing the circadian rhythm. This study investigates the Light Feature of the WELL Building Standard and evaluates how designers can implement design strategies to improve circadian health for building occupants. Through the contextual framework based on systematic review methodology, this research consists of five phases. First, the author established the research objectives and questions. Second, the preconditions of the Light Feature are evaluated to determine the required lighting interventions identified in the WELL Building Standards. Third, the optimizations of the Light Feature are evaluated to determine the optional interventions identified in the WELL Building Standards. Fourth, is identifying the appropriate project types defined by the WELL Building Standard. Lastly, the collected data is analyzed to evaluate the WELL Building Standard interventions’ impact on Circadian Health of building occupants. As a result, this study helps to define WELL Building Standards design interventions to improve circadian health for building occupants. WELL Building Standards can be applied to multiple design sectors. However, not all WELL features apply to all buildings. Further evaluation of design strategies for all design sectors is required to optimize circadian health to improve the health and wellbeing of all building occupants.
Presenters
Amanda BurchamStudent, Master in Design Studies, University of Arkansas, Arkansas, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2022 Special Focus—Back to Life: Seeking Vision and Purpose in Principles and Practice
KEYWORDS
Circadian rhythm, WELL Building Standard, Health and wellness, Lighting design
