January Series Day 11: Building Better, Brick by Brick

January Journey Day 11: Building Better, Brick by Brick 

From Nature to Neuroscience: 11 Ways to Create Healing Space 

On Day 11 of this exercise, January Journey, we are looking at the 11 foundational principles that shape everything we do at Healing Buildings. I did an simiar writing exercise last year called 11 weeks where each week we looked in depth at these. This time its a much shorter version.

These principles, or “edges,” form a cohesive approach to creating environments that foster healing and well-being for people, place, and planet. Each principle informs our work across three key areas: design, education, and research and consultancy. By applying these principles holistically, we aim to create healthier, more sustainable, and socially equitable spaces. 

The 11 Principles We Follow 

  1. Biophilia: Making room for nature. We try to rethink spaces to create space for nature. Restoring the connections between people and place

  1. Salutogenesis: Designing for Health Shifting focus from illness prevention to health promotion, we design spaces that encourage physical activity, mental clarity, and social connection. 

  1. The Nine Foundations of a Healthy Building These include air quality, thermal health, moisture control, safety, water quality, lighting, noise, and indoor environmental quality to prioritize occupant well-being. These are the practical bits we do.

  1. Retrofitting: Honoring What Exists We adapt existing structures to new needs, preserving their history while minimising environmental impact. 

  1. Building Biology: Harmonizing Health and Habitat Focusing on materials and systems that reduce toxins, promote natural airflow, and minimise electromagnetic fields, we ensure healthier spaces. 

  1. Sonic Architecture: Designing for Sound Acoustics shape how we feel and interact. We design spaces to manage noise, reduce echoes, and create soundscapes that promote calm and connection. We generally dont design for our ears, but we can never close them until our eyes!

  1. Living Building Principles: Redefining Sustainability Inspired by the Living Building Challenge, we aim for self-sustaining, regenerative designs that function like natural ecosystems. 

  1. Regenerative Architecture: Giving Back to the Planet We go beyond sustainability (infact we hate the word! Not because we don't believe in the concept, but in many ways we are sustaining the same rubbish as yesterday or last decade! And don't get us started on 'greenwashing' saying one thing, but then doing something very very different!) to restore ecosystems, use renewable resources, and design buildings that have a net-positive impact on the environment. 

  1. Building in Layers: A Systems Approach By designing adaptable spaces with replaceable components, we create buildings that evolve with their users, reducing waste and extending usability. 

  1. Neuroarchitecture: Shaping the Mind Drawing from neuroscience, we design spaces that reduce stress, improve focus, and foster emotional well-being through light, layout, and materials and other things too

  1. Living Closer: Designing for Community We create spaces that foster connection and community, encouraging shared resources, social interaction, and a sense of belonging. 

How We Apply the Principles Across Our Work 

1. Design Work: Creating Healing Spaces 

Our design projects are the heart of Healing Buildings. Each principle informs our approach, helping us craft spaces that go beyond function to foster health and connection. 

  • Biophilia is central in our designs, from integrating natural light and ventilation to designing green walls and incorporating water features. These elements enhance well-being and bring a sense of harmony to indoor spaces. 

  • We embed neuroarchitecture by listening and learning, designing intuitive layouts that encourage calm and productivity, ensuring spaces feel uplifting and supportive. 

  • Retrofitting projects are guided by building in layers and regenerative architecture, where we adapt older structures to modern needs, using renewable materials and systems that restore the environment. 

Every space we design is a response to the needs of its users, prioritising inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term adaptability. 

2. Educational Work: Sharing Knowledge and Inspiring Change 

Education is central to our mission of transforming the built environment. Through workshops, courses, and community engagement, we share our principles to inspire others to adopt healthier and more regenerative practices. 

  • We teach about building biology, helping others understand the impact of materials and air quality on health. 

  • The nine foundations of a healthy building serve as a core framework in our educational programs, guiding participants to assess and improve existing spaces. 

  • Our focus on living closer and community-centric design helps foster conversations about how architecture can address loneliness and social disconnection. 

By engaging with architects, builders, and community members, we aim to spread the knowledge needed to create spaces that heal and inspire. 

3. Research and Consultancy: Driving Innovation 

Through research and consultancy, we explore how to apply our principles to complex challenges and collaborate with organizations to drive impactful change. 

  • Sonic architecture is a growing focus in our research, as we investigate how soundscapes influence mental health and productivity. 

  • We conduct studies on regenerative architecture, exploring how to design buildings that replenish ecosystems and promote biodiversity. 

  • Our consultancy projects often involve retrofitting and adaptive reuse, where we guide clients on how to transform existing structures into healthier, more sustainable spaces. 

A Unified Approach to Building Better 

The 11 principles are not isolated ideas; they interconnect to form a cohesive approach. For instance, biophilia and neuroarchitecture address mental health, while retrofitting and regenerative architecture align sustainability with equity. Together, they enable us to design spaces that fulfill immediate needs while contributing to long-term well-being. 

The Path Forward 

Healing Buildings is about more than design—it’s about shaping a future where every building contributes to the health of people, communities, and the planet. By staying curious, collaborative, and committed to these principles, we can transform the built environment one space at a time. 

Ann Vanner


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