ABSTRACT
This chapter explores a key factor of well-being: the social and ecological contributions made by greenery in the semi-private outdoor spaces of multi-family houses, involving the analysis of two case studies of innovative and experimental housing projects in Zurich (Switzerland). It presents these studies in the context that the social contribution of green spaces should concern offering possibilities for use and comfort in relation to well-being, rather than imposing social behaviour. These semi-private, outdoor spaces are framed in a dense, urban context where issues like access to nature, free space for children to play (Hübscher and Kohler, 2007), car-free areas and open-air places for informal meetings constitute a palette of elements to achieve a better quality of life. The social contribution of green spaces is about offering different possibilities of use, user identification, and social belonging; each component forming constructs of well-being. Moreover, the research presents a palette of elements in outdoor spaces which can help to achieve a better quality of life and add extra value to a housing development. Discussion is set within the wider context of sustainable urban development where well-being is often an implied component, but one which is not always made explicit within design criteria or prescribed regarding the inclusion of ‘free space’. To address this I explore the issue from an architect’s perspective to examine the role of greenery in a framework of sustainable design which embraces well-being in addition to other facets of design performance.
