This week, we explored the fascinating world of healthy architecture and the idea of Constructing Health with renowned Canadian architect, Tye Farrow, as part of our Meaning of Light series. Tye, a leading voice in creating spaces that enhance wellbeing, shared his insights on how design can truly impact our health.

Farrow introduced us to the medical model of salutogenesis, which focuses on what makes us healthy and how we can maintain wellbeing. He explained how our sense of coherence – the belief in ourselves and our purpose – is crucial for health, and how the spaces we inhabit can either support or diminish this feeling. Natural spaces are known for their restorative qualities, so how can we bring that same energy into our indoor environments? How can we design spaces that actively promote health, rather than simply avoiding harm?

Tye Farrow and Ulysse Dormoy (Atrium’s CEO) discussed the idea of having a Hippocratic Oath for architecture, emphasising the need for designers to be bound by a code of ethics. It’s not enough to just “do no harm,” Farrow argued. Our spaces should actively enhance lives, fueling our energy, fostering connection, supporting the environment, and promoting overall health.

A prime example of how thoughtfully designed spaces can benefit health is building multigenerational homes. Decades of research show that elderly individuals living with younger generations tend to live longer and maintain cognitive sharpness, while young people benefit academically from having older mentors other than their parents. This arrangement also reduces stress across all generations. Multigenerational housing offers significant economic and health benefits, and has already been implemented in some countries; yet more could be done.

The conversation also touched on the concept of “ultra-processed” buildings – spaces designed purely for functionality, lacking the nutritional value and satisfying qualities of well-designed spaces. Just like ultra-processed food, these buildings can leave us feeling depleted and unfulfilled. Farrow challenged us to expand our thinking and explore how we can create environments that truly allow us to thrive.

As the event progressed, topics such as environmental enrichment, sustainability, and the emotional impact of design were brought to the table, as well as a host of wonderful questions from our engaged live audience.

If you missed our event yesterday, or any of our previous episodes, you can find them all on our YouTube channel!

Next month we are thrilled to welcome Simon Carter, author and Lecturer in Sociology at The Open University, who will explore how scientific discoveries, social trends, and cultural values have shaped our understanding of the sun’s impact on our wellbeing. Follow us on LinkedIn for registration details!