THE CONTRIBUTION TO AND AFFECT OF DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE ON HEALTH & ACTIVITY PROMOTION (H&AP) IN THE WORKPLACE

Authors

Krystal L. Schumacher, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Winter 12-2013

Document Type

Article

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Architecture, Under the Supervision of Professor Betsy Gabb. Lincoln, Nebraska: December 2013

Copyright (c) 2013 Krystal L. Schumacher

Abstract

Expanding the research and awareness on the contribution to and affect of design and architecture on health and activity promotion in the workplace (h&ap) is essential in moving forward in the design of working environments. As humans, we spend the majority of our time indoors, for an average American adult he or she spends the majority of the day in a working environment. The impact that our spaces have is much deeper than the aesthetic. Our environments can depict how we act, feel and operate based on the design of our surroundings. Through this research, the goal was to study the connection between design and healthy lifestyles in sedentary ‘desk job’ . Through this, we have discovered how design can stimulate healthy and active habits in the workplace (termed as “health & activity promotion (h&ap)”) through design. Several staple companies were observed in terms of their recent practices of h&ap in the workplace. Four employees from four different companies participated in a detailed questionnaire about the objective of their company, the elements which promote h&ap, why this design method works and how the h&ap based design stimulates employees and employers to stay healthy and active through out the work day and beyond. Determining the most effective types of projects and elements that are utilized when designing with h&ap in mind could impact worker’s perception of the importance 3 of health and activity especially during their working hours. This research has helped provide evidence that h&ap based design has been extremely and positively affecting toward it’s users.

Advisor: Betsy Gabb