EN
Select location and language
Select location
Ubicación global
ACTIU Berbegal y Formas, S.A.
Spaces that Live: A Look at Biohabitability

Spaces that Live: A Look at Biohabitability

JANUARY 2024 | 4 minutes

Life in interior spaces becomes the epicentre of biohabitability, a philosophy on the rise that, from the field of interior design and architecture, comprehensively addresses the ecological, economic and social aspects of built spaces. Moreover, biohabitability will be one of the trends that will be very present in the design and interior design sector in 2024.

In the recent episode"A house to live and work at ease" by Cristina Mitre, one of the most prominent and popular Spanish voices in the field of podcasting, Anna Ferrer from CU4 arquitectura and Patri Psicóloga took part to discuss the ideal conditions for residential and work interior spaces. These two professional specialists in wellbeing, one through spaces and the other in the wellbeing of people, talked about concepts such as self-care and the biology of the habitat.

"Habitat biology must go beyond visual aspects, and take advantage of the knowledge we have about the science to apply it to counteract the factors that put our health at risk," explains Anna Ferrer in this conversation.

What is Biohabitability?

Biohabitability is an architectural philosophy that not only focuses on the visual, but aims to care for life at all levels. It considers ecological, economic and social aspects in the choice of materials and the design of living spaces. This architectural approach seeks environments that offer appropriate conditions for the life of people, the planet and the economy.

Thus, concepts related to the circular economy, sustainable architecture and the well-being of the interior of buildings are combined, issues that are applied in philosophies such as Second Act, as well as in the Actiu Technology Park, which holds LEED and WELL accreditations.

The WELL standard was one of the topics of analysis in "A house to live and work in", a radio programme in which Anna Ferrer insisted on the need for workspaces, whether in corporate or domestic environments, to take care of its ten principles: air, light, water, movement, mind, thermal and acoustic comfort, food, materials and community.

The five principles that determine Biohabitability

The five principles of biohabitability, established by the Spanish Institute of Baubiologie (IEB): Indoor climate, building materials and equipment, architectural interior design, environment, energy and water, and eco-social habitat. These principles are aligned with the circular economy, sustainable architecture and wellbeing inside buildings.

Anna Ferrer, from her perspective as an architect, comments: "It is essential that we are aware that our environment influences our health and our state of mind. One example of this is air quality. A person breathes about 10,000 litres of air a day and it is essential that the air inside buildings is of the highest possible quality. Studies show that the air in homes and workplaces can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outside," says the architect.

The Influence of the Environment on Health and Mood

Anna Ferrer stresses the importance of being aware of how the environment influences health and mood. The air, for example, can be up to 5 times more polluted indoors. In fact, it is considered that 70% of our health depends on habits and environmental factors, 20% depends on genetics and 10% depends on the health system, and biohabitability seeks to counteract these negative effects. What is more, the postcode may be more decisive than the genetic code.

"It is essential that we are aware that our environment influences our health and our mood. One example is air quality. A person breathes about 10,000 litres of air a day and it is essential that the air inside buildings is of the highest possible quality. Studies show that the air in homes and workplaces can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outside," says the architect.

The five most valued design elements

According to Anna Ferrer, some studies identify the five design elements that people value most: natural light, plants, acoustic comfort, sea views and bright colours. However, 47% of offices have no access to natural light and 55% lack plants.

"Once themeans are put in place to ensure optimal working conditions, we need to focus on working tools such as the chair and the desk. The chair should be highly adjustable and have lumbar support, while tables should allow for movement. And if they can be used for standing and sitting, so much the better. The more durable they are, the more sustainable they are in the long term", the architect stresses.

According to Patri Psicóloga, even when the workspace is in the home, it is essential to have separate areas for work and personal life. However, each person will need specific conditions, depending on whether they are tidy, minimalist or more chaotic.

"Everyone should be aware of the kind of space that stimulates their attention. Creativity is a cognitive function that requires other cognitive functions to be dormant. When you are in the right space, the neural network of creativity is connected and activated," stresses the psychologist.

With the aim of improving life in workspaces, Actiu offers furniture solutions that apply principles of design, sustainability and ergonomics. Chairs and tables designed to promote movement, health and long-term sustainability, ensuring maximum comfort during working hours. In this new year, let's embrace biohabitability and transform our spaces for lasting wellbeing.