Adopting AIA Resolution #1: Prioritizing Human Wellness in Architectural Design
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Present day Helsinki, Finland city streets are reminiscent of cobblestone roads and streetcar train tracks of my past. Photo: © 2024 Dr. Tuwanda Green, AIA
Introduction
Our bodies maintain a record throughout our lives. I can still recall solid memories of the city I was born in.
I have prominent images of bright concrete city sidewalks with shiny moving cars and buses on one side, and stone based buildings with tall glass display windows on the other. I recall the sound of tires on cobblestone streets, the slow hiss of busses stopping, and steel wheels rubbing the streetcar tracks with intermittent clicks from the overhead cables. My memory smells the distinct odor of vinegar in the air blocks away from the H. J. Heinz manufacturing plant. I don’t remember much nature but can still mentally recall the safety of my grandmother’s warm soft hand enveloping mine. She held my hand firmly while navigating our steps on busy sidewalks, buses and street cars during our regular trips to the food market downtown. I never left her side.
Nature also established a conscious ledger around this time. My mom, brother and I relocated from the city when I was about 6 years old.
I have a strong memory of the oak trees that stretched upwards framing the blue sky while creating a soft shaded ground below. Dappled light danced on the sidewalks and paths as the treetops gently waved to me. I remember the stillness of sound with occasional bird chirps or rustling leaves. I don’t recall any significant odors but do have wonderful memories of playing in the woods with my younger brother and neighbor. I felt safe and free to explore the expansive carpet of dirt, rocks, grass, moss and leaves from which the multiple giant trees sprouted. The nearby shallow flowing creek gave us endless hours of investigation for testing ideas. I don’t recall ever being afraid during the countless trips we made to the woods that laid right outside our garden apartment door.
Costa Rica’s lush forest revives my adolescent nature journeys. Photo: © 2024 Dr. Tuwanda Green, AIA
You may not consciously remember all of them, but your body maintains a record of your past experiences. These records woven into our bodies and memories have shaped us and continue to influence our health, perception and future decisions. I can speak to my personal experiences because I recognize how they have shaped my life and how they drive my passion for human-centric biophilic design. As an architect, I believe my first responsibility is to create environments that support human thriving, not to create artistic objects that house people. Biophilia - the human instinct urge to connect with living organisms - provides an excellent design framework for anyone creating environments for people. This inherent connection with nature has been associated with the built environment since the early 1980’s. But since current US architecture curriculums do not require biological knowledge, adoption in academics and practice has been slow despite the rigorous scientific support.
Fortunately, I see change on the horizon. Monumental actions occurred at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) June 2024 conference. Adoption of resolution #1 during the annual townhall meeting marked the first tangible steps towards prioritizing humans in design. Specifically, “The intent of this resolution is to increase AIA members’ value to their clients by embracing evolving knowledge and trends in health and well-being, by clarifying specific policies, and by promoting research-based relationships of architecture’s impact on human health and well-being. This is an ethical issue and requires related adjustments to AIA’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct plus the Framework for Design Excellence.” [1]
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Paimio Sanatorium’s main entry reception desk. Photo: © 2024 Dr. Tuwanda Green, AIA
They propose that “due to the lack of specific reference to human health and wellness as a primary goal, the aim is to add appropriate elements to the current 2020 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that require a focus on human well0being as well as promoting related discussions with owners and utilizing health and well-being-related research pertinent to proposed design interventions.” [1]
We are acutely aware that health – for both the human and the planet – is a global issue that is not improving fast enough, if at all. According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics2 the top 3 leading causes for death remain
Heart Disease, Cancer, and unintentional accidents. Additionally, the CDC NCHS provisional 2022 data show increases in suicide. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2023 was the hottest year on record (2022, June report) 3, and the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere is the highest it has been in human history (2022, May report) 4. These unfortunate health situations are primarily driven by human lifestyle behaviors and requires a universal effort to help reverse this global problem. For the architect, the implication of this resolution is powerful as it refocuses our design priorities to the end user. It can potentially mandate that we teach architecture students the profound connection between human health and the build environment through integration and harmony with nature. It can change our design methodologies to create science-based decisions that include tracking the efficacy of our work. When all architects practice in this manner, we become a powerful part of the solution by improving the built environment where humans spend up to 90% of their time – resulting in better spaces, buildings, neighborhoods and cities that connect and rebuild positive lifestyles and healing relationship with nature.
Paimio Sanatorium’s patient terrace overlooking the pine forest. Photo: © 2024 Dr. Tuwanda Green, AIA
I believe Paimio Sanatorium, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933, is an exceptional example of human and health centered architecture. At this time in history sanatoriums – which prioritized fresh air and access to nature – were the first line of defense for curing tuberculosis. I was privileged to tour this historic global landmark in Finland in August this year. I have always admired this building because of the architectural attention to patient healing through light, color, fresh air, sounds, furnishing, and views and access to outside nature etc. The bright yellow reception desk – flooded in natural light from the round skylights and tall adjacent windows – warms you with a sense of hope. Majestic views over the aromatic pine forest provide prospect views with a solid wall and overhead canopy of refuge behind you. As the sun sets, tree shadows softly hug the exterior white walls. Aalto extended these details to their other project types as humanism, nature and organic forms are prevalent ingredients in each design. Architects don’t just design structures, they design environments that inspire joy, imagination, restoration, safety and a sense of place. Or not.
Conclusion
Adoption of AIA’s Resolution #1 will most notably help educate the architect on their crucial role in human health and thriving. It is my sincere hope that this resolution is already spurring conversations with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), a nonprofit organization for the advancement of architectural education and research. Additional meetings and discussions must occur to officially decree this resolution, so keep your eyes open! The state of our human and ecological health globally indicates that we’re almost 100 years behind schedule… Let’s DO this!
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Dr. Tuwanda Green, AIA, is an architect with over 32 years of experience and a PhD in Architecture & Design Research, advocates for human-centric design through her self-designed course, research endeavors, community outreach, and her firm, "human." Email her here.
References
1. Smith, T. (2023, August 23). *Hospital finds new way to go for the green*. UCHealth Today. https://www.uchealth.org/today/hospital-finds-new-way-to-go-for-the-green/
2. Molero, A., Calabrò, M., Vignes, M., Gouget, B., & Gruson, D. (2021). Sustainability in healthcare: Perspectives and reflections regarding laboratory medicine. *Annals of Laboratory Medicine, 41*(2), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2021.41.2.139
3. O’Hara, A. C., Miller, A. C., Spinks, H., Seifert, A., Mills, T., & Tuininga, A. R. (2022). The sustainable prescription: Benefits of green roof implementation for urban hospitals. *Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 4.* https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2022.798012
4. Nieberler-Walker, K., Desha, C., Bosman, C., Roiko, A., & Caldera, S. (2023). Therapeutic hospital gardens: Literature review and working definition. *HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 16*(4), 260–295. https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867231187154