The Role of Interior Design in Achieving Healthy Workplaces According to Lighting Indicators of “WELL Standard”

Abstract

As the incidence of indoor health concerns escalates, the prioritization of healthy interior design techniques in workplaces emerges as a critical strategy to enhance worker productivity and efficiency. Extensive research has highlighted the profound impact of lighting on employee physical and mental health, designating it as a key determinant of wellbeing in the workplace. The WELL Building Standard (WELLv2) constitutes a comprehensive and rigorous framework addressing the multifaceted origins of these concerns. It engenders lighting conditions that bolster mental, visual, and psychological health, and in professional settings, these conditions are demonstrated to improve mood and productivity. The research problem identified herein is the pervasive lack of awareness of interior design elements, such as lighting, and their misapplication in alignment with international standards. This lapse engenders environments that are detrimental to health. In this investigation, the extent to which architectural designers integrate WELLv2 lighting indicators in working environments is scrutinized in relation to healthy interior design. A descriptive-analytical method is employed to probe the research topic. Three buildings are evaluated against WELL lighting indicators. Moreover, the Wellness Score metric is utilized to assess the indoor lighting of the selected buildings, determining their eligibility for WELL certification. The primary objective of this study is to identify the key design needs of architectural designers for promoting healthy indoor lighting. The fulfillment of this objective is pursued through the use of WELL lighting indicators and standards.