HealthyArchitecture is aesthetic architecture that has a positive effect on health and well-being.

Architecture for all senses

Architecture is commonly associated with aesthetic, recognisable, artistic, representative buildings. One thing is always in the foreground: the sense of sight. Because we perceive visually whether a building is aesthetic, representative or recognisable. The people who spend time in it perceive the rooms with all their senses. It makes no difference whether you perceive the room consciously or unconsciously, because you cannot resist the effect of a room.

In recent years, acoustics have seldom been an issue that architects have sought to address in their planning. Sound and noise were components of a room and only a few architecture offices included this factor. Although rooms were designed with the premise that residents, guests, customers, staff or employees should feel comfortable in them, room acoustics were not considered to be a part of well-being.

However, with the growing knowledge gained from research in the field of acoustics, one thing has become more than obvious: reduced sound not only contributes to well-being, but also to health. This means that architecture plays a key role: not only does it protect people inside the building from outside influences, but it also contributes to the health of the people who spend time there.

Experience Healthy Architecture due to good room acoustics The renowned acoustician Scott D. Pfeiffer explains how acoustics have a positive influence on our well-being and healthy architecture.

Architecture that combines aesthetics with the effect of having a positive impact on the quality of life is what we call HealthyArchitecture.

Mike Hürlimann CEO
Art Deco Hotel Montana

HealthyArchitecture in the restaurant

A study published in the journal Food Quality and Preference showed that noise makes the taste of food appear more bland. With white noise, i.e. an even noise level, crispy food was perceived as crispier. It is very interesting that the different senses overlap here. Because even if the taste does not change objectively, the perception of the unconscious guest is influenced.

Pictet Offices Tel Aviv - BASWA Phon Classic Top

HealthyArchitecture at the workplace

Noise and productivity are closely linked: If noise increases, productivity decreases. Noise cannot be prevented in open-plan offices, in meeting rooms or even in the home office. Research has shown that the recommended noise level for a quiet, productive environment in the home should not exceed 40 dB. Nevertheless, noises such as passing traffic or a construction site regularly exceed thisa level. Some of the noise sources even come from the room itself, such as air conditioning, coffee machines. In the home office, washing machines or hoovers also exceed the 40 dB level.

Less noise, less stress

When sound-reflecting furniture, window fronts or walls in a building, the sound waves multiply in hundredths of seconds. A wild jumble of different sounds buzzes through the room and creates stress for everyone who is in it. Sound-absorbing surfaces that prevent the sound from being reflected reduce the noise – the silence can spread. Stress disappears, productivity increases.

By coating the walls, by using acoustic systems, stress can be reduced directly. A room that has a positive effect on health is particularly important when we consider how much time we spend at work and in other rooms: on average, we spend 80% of the day indoors. This makes it all the more important that the architecture is not only attractive but also beneficial to health.