Architectural, environmental and psychological aspects in the concept of healing house

Abstract

Contemporary architecture and urban planning extend beyond the creation of aesthetic and functional spaces, increasingly focusing on interdisciplinary research into the effects of buildings on users' health and well-being. With growing health awareness and the rise of lifestyle diseases, architectural design is becoming a tool that supports both physical and mental well-being. Key to this is research on Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), a set of health symptoms that arise from poor environmental conditions. Parameters such as CO2 levels, temperature, humidity, toxic substances, and noise can be measured with modern tools, enabling the identification of health risks. Poor functional and ergonomic design can also lead to physical strain, injuries, and disorientation, which are being studied and addressed through architectural solutions. A healthy building is typically defined as neutral if it meets building and sanitary standards. However, the authors argue that a building should actively support health, incorporating technical aspects such as energy efficiency and air quality, as well as psychological and social factors like natural light, access to nature, acoustic quality, and personalization of space. The concept of a healing building goes beyond health neutrality by actively promoting physical and mental recovery through optimized microclimates, comfort, and positive social interactions. While therapeutic spaces and their effects on health are still under-researched, this issue became particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when home environments replaced medical spaces for treatment. This article explores the interdisciplinary connections between architecture, engineering, and psychology in the context of healing buildings, attempting to define the parameters of residential spaces that support health, well-being, and recovery across various age groups and illnesses. This approach has the potential to enhance design quality and create meaningful changes in everyday life.

Keywords: Sustainable design, Healing house, SBS, COVID-19 pandemic, Health Support

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006604