ABSTRACT

It is widely acknowledged that there is an urgent need to transform our housing stock to a better energy performance level. However, improving energy performance should not result in a negative impact on the health, wellbeing and the comfort of building occupants. There are many energy-neutral features that can be incorporated at small or zero cost which have a positive effect on wellbeing. This book aims to outline and discuss these aspects of building design. The issue of health and wellbeing has already entered into design advice for the workplace, where productivity and absenteeism are often used as indicators. This book concentrates on residential buildings, notably mass housing and affordable strategies, for which new, more socially and health-oriented indicators are being developed. Provides practical design guidance based on scientific evidence Explores both physical and psychological wellbeing Focuses on the home and immediate domestic environment Structured in an accessible way for architects and designers.

part One|42 pages

The background and growing body of research

chapter Chapter 1|20 pages

The context

chapter Chapter 2|20 pages

Physical and psychological health

part Two|112 pages

Technical analysis and design synthesis

chapter Chapter 3|20 pages

The house and its surroundings

chapter Chapter 4|32 pages

The building envelope

chapter Chapter 5|58 pages

The building interior and services

part Three|37 pages

Designing healthy homes

chapter Chapter 6|32 pages

Design scenarios

chapter Chapter 7|3 pages

Conclusions