EN
Select location
Select language

Search

Search

ACTIU Berbegal y Formas, S.A.
Blog / Design / Living Spaces: A Glimpse into Biohabitability
Living Spaces: A Glimpse into Biohabitability

Living Spaces: A Glimpse into 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, the biohabitability trend 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 well-being, one through spaces and the other in the people's well-being, talked about concepts such as self-care and habitat biology.

"Habitat biology must go beyond visual aspects, and take advantage of the knowledge we have of the science to apply it to counteract the factors that put our health at risk," explained 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 when choosing the materials and design of living spaces. This architectural approach seeks environments that offer appropriate conditions for people, the planet and the economy.

Thus, concepts related to the circular economy, sustainable architecture and well-being inside buildings are combined, issues that are applied in philosophies such as Second Act, as well as in the Actiu Technology Park, which has been awarded LEED and WELL certifications.

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 focus on 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 well-being inside buildings.

Anna Ferrer, from her perspective as an architect, explained: "It is essential that we understand 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".

The Influence of the Environment on Health and Mood

Anna Ferrer stressed 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's more, the postcode may be more decisive than the genetic code.

"It is essential that we understand 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," said 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 thmeans are put in place to ensure optimal working conditions, we need to focus on working tools such as chairs and desks. Chairs should be highly adjustable and have lumbar support, while desks should allow for movement. And if they can be used for standing and sitting, even better. The more durable they are, the more sustainable they are in the long term", the architect stressed.

According to Patri Psicóloga, even when the workspace is at home, it is essential to have separate areas for work and personal life. However, each person will require 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," explained the psychologist.

With the aim of improving life in workspaces, Actiu offers furniture solutions that apply principles of design, sustainability and ergonomics. Chairs and desks 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 well-being.