WHAT IS WELLNESS? PROJECT NO.1 WHAT IS WELLNESS? The term wellness is generally connotated to various spa treatments, getting a facial with your friend, a relaxing massage or sweat in a sauna. But it is so much more than that. Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness covers so many dimensions – from exercise, fitness, nutrition to joyful experiences, living in balance, healthy social connections, relaxation, mindfulness, slow living,… It also means creating and living in spaces that nourish our body and mind. Embarking on a wellness journey is a process of searching for the appropriate “tools” to make you a healthier and happier human being, plus discovering your own effective methods to use these “tools” for continued growth and development. Let’s focus on the built environment for now and break it down to some key points in wellness focused interior design. BIOPHILIC DESIGN – CONNECTION WITH NATURE Biophilia is the idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. It’s our inherent human connection to the natural world. Biophilic design is an innovative way to harness this affinity in order to create natural environments for us to live, work and learn. Design that connects us to nature is proven to inspire us, boost our productivity and even contribute to a stronger sense of well-being. It’s necessary to bring the outdoors in and create indoor environments that reference nature in both obvious and subtle ways. CONT. Not every space can be designed to incorporate all the principles of biophilic design, but there are often many contributory elements that will collectively enhance the interior and the wellbeing of those within it. It’s more than just the addition of a pot plant or two! Natural light, vegetation, good air quality, living walls, natural textures, materials and nature views will provide a positive impact. We know that plants make us happier, helps us recharge and even be more productive. LIGHTING Light is increasingly becoming one of the most important elements in design: spaces designed around natural light sources, smart lighting systems to better match our natural rhythm, artificial light that mimics daylight,… When speaking about light, natural light takes the center of the discussion. Something as simple as natural day light can provide a tremendous health and wellness boost. If you just think about it: how do you feel in a room full of daylight in comparison to a room with just a little window? Natural light not only affects our day-night rhythm, but also our vitamin D balance. It is crucial because it helps us to absorb the calcium from the food. In turn, we need the calcium for bone formation and stability. Additionally, daylight inhibits the production of melatonin, which ensures that we get tired when it gets dark. Cortisol does the opposite and makes us alert and focused. For people who do not get enough daylight while working, both substances are present in the body at the wrong time. COMFORT IS KEY – ERGONOMICS It goes without saying that comfort is key when it comes to wellness focused interior design. Ergonomic design is basically a fancy term for user-friendly. It entails that most of the interior design that is ‘ergonomic’ must be comfortable for the user in terms of psychology, physiology and anatomy. Briefly, the best interior design should be comfortable, efficient and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. It cannot value one of these elements than the other, if not, the space would be ergonomically incomplete. COLOR Color can have a strong impact on the mood of a room and how it makes you feel. Color is difficult to discuss as it is largely a matter of personal taste. The different colors that are used in interior design can really effect the environment and can either overstimulate or under stimulate your space. Lighter colors are considered to be airy and can make rooms feel larger and even brighter. Darker colors are considered to be more refined and make rooms feel more intimate and warmer. There are some color groups that are more or less generally accepted: and this will help make it easier when deciding what hues to use with your décor. Neutrals are black, gray, white and brown. These colors can establish a balance when using passive and active colors. Active colors like yellow and pink are bright and can excite the mind along with boost creativity. Passive colors like blue and green are cool and can calm the mind and help with mental focus. DESIGNING THE SALON STYLING AREA Allow sufficient workspace. The first styling unit should be 1m (3′) from a window or wall, second and subsequent units should be 1.2m (4′) from the center of the first unit. Working space out from the unit to the rear of the stylist should be 1.5m (5′). Consider island styling units to fit more clients into a tight space. Darker upholstery tends to be more practical for a hardworking hair salon due to stains. Consider using different light styles to create the right atmosphere. Hang task lights above each section and add wall-mounted secondary feature lighting for ambience. Use a mirrored wall to trick the eye and ‘double’ your space for a small shallow salon. CONT’ • Salon wash area gets heavy wear, yet needs to look and feel relaxing. • Use partitions to design a tranquil corner for clients away from the bustle of the salon. • Provide sufficient work space. Allow 0.6m (2′) behind a wash unit for the operator. Plus a similar amount at the other end for the client’s legs. • Add storage • Alternatively, build a small plinth for the wash units. Hot and cold water and waste pipes can then be concealed beneath the false floor. Purpose & Equipment • you must first determine and commit to a defined purpose of your spa. The purpose and overall vision for the spa is something you’ll want to incorporate into the spa design. You’ll also want to define what services you’ll be offering. • In addition to the overall purpose of the spa, you’ll want to determine the type of equipment you’ll need to operate at capacity. You’ll need the space for this equipment, and you’ll also need the equipment’s style (color, materials) to match the design elements throughout the rest of the spa. Spa Floor Plan & Layout Coherence is very important here and you want everything to flow nicely – from the treatment rooms to the equipment, electrical, and plumbing. The goal here is to maximize efficiency, limit the amount of traffic, and create a space where customers and staff members can thrive. You should also think about capacity and how many people you plan on serving at one time, that way you’re prepared for when things get busy. How to Calculate Maximum Occupancy Load The occupancy load is calculated by dividing the area of a room by its prescribed unit of area per person. Maximum occupancy refers to the maximum number of people permitted in a room measured per foot for each width of the exit door. The maximum is 50 per foot of exit. For instance, the chart dictates that dormitories require 50 square feet of floor area for every room occupant. Consequently, a dorm room that has 100 square feet of floor space will have a maximum occupancy of two people. The amount of space required per person varies based on the function of the room, which is determined by the building’s designer. Assembly Occupancy According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an assembly occupancy refers to “an occupancy (1) used for a gathering of 50 or more persons for deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar uses; or (2) used as a special amusement building, regardless of occupant load.” Examples of assembly occupancies include armories, assembly halls, auditoriums, club rooms, dance halls, bars, and exhibition halls, and more. *Gross square footage is the total amount of space in a building, Net square footage only accounts for space that is suitable for occupancy (excluding such elements as major vertical penetrations and shared space). https://ccpia.org/occupancy-load-signs/https://ccpia.org/occupancy-load-signs/ https://archi-monarch.com/occupant-load-calculation/ CASE STUDIES SHURAN WELLNESS SPACE https://www.archdaily.com/981395/shuran-wellness-space-plus-shuran-skincare-e-studio ELYSIUM WELLNESS SPACE https://www.archdaily.com/983055/elysium-spa-grau-architects?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab SIBO BEAUTY SALON https://www.archdaily.com/975446/spibo-beauty-salon-beletskaya-bureau SAY NO MO BEAUTY SALON https://www.archdaily.com/945199/say-no-mo-beauty-salon-balbek-bureau?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab ANDRE’ LUIS BEAUTY SALON https://www.archdaily.com/971109/andre-luis-coiffeur-beauty-salon-trpcarquitetos?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab QUESTIONS?
