How architecture can be used to reduce mental distress in high-stress/disconnected work environments

What is it about?

An innovative facilities strategy is presented as one facet of a multi-faceted solution to the ongoing health and well-being crisis facing the United States Department of Defense and others in exceptionally high-stress, disconnected work environments: “Salutogenic design” offers demonstrated architectural solutions that improve health and well-being. This manuscript is the first of its kind to approach this military problem using innovative architecture, presenting a tangible solution to an intangible problem.

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Photo by Verne Ho on Unsplash

Photo by Verne Ho on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Salutogenic design strategies offer innovative, demonstrated and financially viable solutions to help mitigate stress and improve workforce well-being while maintaining the highest level of building security requirements in access-controlled spaces and disconnected sites, such as military installations and government compounds. Further, as a novel approach to address a critical national defense issue, Table 1 bridges the common gap between high-concept design theory and practical construction application solutions, with positive value to the health, performance, quality-of-life and well-being of service members.