velux-red

Designed for human needs

"Design and understand human needs and behaviours with an inclusive and collaborative approach to fit the people using the building"

This dimension prioritises a human-centric design approach with people at the heart of healthy building design. This makes it easier for occupants to use a building, for example by including lifts and elevators for the mobility impaired, or through signage that is clear for everyone. 


For new builds and adaptations

Designing for human needs is a dimension that can be used when creating new buildings or when designing changes to an existing building. This could include disabilities or age-related adaptations to a building, the need to work from home instead of an office or requiring a different layout in schools or hospitals.

To help stakeholders see what is required to design a building for human needs, this dimension uses four indicators. 



Key elements to improve design for human needs in healthy buildings

Universal design

This means making the design easy to use and navigate for everyone regardless of ability, age, language or mobility

The design should incorporate flexibility for use in different ways – based on needs, preference or requirements. At the same time, the design needs to be simple and intuitive with required information provided clearly using pictures, verbal or tactile cues.

Part of universal design is minimizing risks and hazards and requiring a low level of physical effort from users. The design should also allow for approach and use for different heights, sizes and ages. Universal design can be further broken down into seven sub-indicators.

Human-centred interaction
By using input from stakeholders, especially the building users, the design process can integrate different perspectives, multidisciplinary skills and expertise. Human-centred interaction can be broken down into two sub-indicators.
Community design

The built environment surrounding the designed spaces must incorporate elements that enable and promote socialising and community.

Intelligent building design
Intelligent building design integrates smart or automated features, including adaptive lighting and temperature control for comfort and energy efficiency.

Policy recommendations

The recent Healthy Buildings Barometer has developed policy recommendations that can support these indicators and encourage design for human needs.

 

This includes:

  • Strengthening legislation to provide access to high-quality, healthy, affordable and environmentally sustainable buildings
  • Establishing a holistic framework for automation of building components, services and control
  • Creating community support schemes
  • Strengthening participatory design

 

Case studies
DENMARK
Living Places prototype
Living Places shows that it is possible to build with a reduced carbon footprint in a way that is still affordable.
NETHERLANDS
Venlo city hall
The city hall is built with a focus on using indoor plants, blue and green inside and outdoor spaces, natural building materials, and renewable energy.
FRANCE
Malakoff raise-the-roof apartments
See how a two-apartment rooftop extension to an existing apartment building in France achieved great indoor air quality and ventilation, and met the for more living space in dense urban areas
DENMARK
Langebjerg school
The Langebjerg School embarked on a renovation with roof windows to improve their dark, stuffy classrooms.
SWEDEN
Kvartetten office complex
The building is designed to withstand Sweden’s cold winter temperatures while using bio-climatic and biophilic design principles.