Active Design is an evidence-based approach whereby physical activity is encouraged within a community development and/or dwelling. Based upon health research into the impact of physical exercise on combating obesity and other related health concerns, active design sees architectural design as a large-scale solution to improving “the physical, mental and social well-being of communities around the world”i
University of British Columbia Earth Sciences Building
Aside from disease prevention, it is also widely recognised that an increase in physical activity results in higher levels of happiness and overall wellness. Companies around the world are recognising this and taking advantage of the relationship between increased employee wellness and higher worker productivity setting the tone for future workplace developments[ii].
More active employees within an office space leads to an increase of interaction and engagement with one another. Aside from promoting wellbeing, such unplanned communication opportunities would also see the sharing of work related ideas and topics encouraging cross-departmental innovation and collaboration.
If the dwelling is designed to encourage stair use for inter-floor journeys instead of the elevator (for example), less energy is used and subsequently less greenhouse gas emissions released.
At Certified Energy, we are great proponents of Active Design and its benefits for a range of projects:
Although not a new concept, Active design is only beginning to be more commonly applied in Australia. If it can be demonstrated that Active Design is incorporated within a dwelling, an opportunity to gain credit points in the Innovation section of both the BESS Scorecard (Victoria) and Green Star (National) exists to achieving a simpler building application process (and being friendly to the environment!). In relation to Victoria (but relevant Australia-wide), Council Planning Permits can be notoriously tricky and a risk to slowing down a project. Strengthening the application with a strong BESS assessment should ensure that these roadblocks are minimised.
At Certified Energy, we are passionate about Active Design as an exciting approach to reduce our collective environmental footprint. Call us today to discuss BESS and/or Green Star requirements and how your next project could become eligible for ‘Innovation’ credit points!
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Resources:
[I] World Green Building Council “Active Design Guidelines”2010, accessed 16/1/18
https://centerforactivedesign.org/guidelines/
[ii] BETA, “Active Design in Buildings”, 2016, accessed 16/1/18
https://beta-office.com/project/active-design-buildings/
[iii] Centre for Active Design, “What is Active Design?”, 2018, accessed 17/1/18
https://centerforactivedesign.org/WhatIsActiveDesign/
[iv] World Green Building Council, “Building the Business Case for Health, Wellbeing and Productivity, 2016, accessed 17/1/18
http://www.worldgbc.org/news-media/building-business-case-health-wellbeing-and-productivity-green-offices
[v] Green Building Council Australia, “Why Use Green Star”, 2018, accessed 17/1/18
http://www.gbca.org.au/green-star/why-use-green-star/own-a-green-residential-building/35599.htm
[vi] Millennial Marketing, “Gen Y Our Values Define Us”, 2010, accessed 17/1/18
http://www.millennialmarketing.com/2010/02/gen-y-our-values-define-us/