Objective
Research a social issue and propose a solution by creating a hypothetical design company and prototype. The solution considers the beneficiaries, impacts, challenges, threats, sustainability, and it's future possibilities.
Social Issue: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in people working remotely during and after the pandemic
Proposed Entity
The proposed entity is a for-profit architecture company that specializes in interior design. It will have a team-based structure to promote creative and collaborative work and will design a workspace for apartment buildings.
Mission: to create a healthy workspace which are relaxing and promote productivity for people with anxiety who are working from home. These spaces are meant to provide a healthy experience for both individuals and the building’s community.
Vision: to reduce anxiety for people who are working from home during notonly this pandemic, but also post-pandemic when many jobs be shifting towardsworking remotely.
Issue
There has been major growth in workingfrom home over the last 12 Years. (Hering)
Due to the pandemic people are mostlyworking from home and surveys show thateven post-pandemic some businesses will continue to work remotely. (Neustaeter)
Researchshows that people working from home experience more stress than those on-site. (Scott)
Itis usually suggested that people should have their at-home workspace separatefrom other areas and that the space is only used for work. ("8Strategies") This can be costly for building owners and tenant.
Solution: Communal Workspace in Apartment Building
- Havinga communal workspace would be more cost effective as both the tenants and building owners would otherwise have to pay for the extra area which might go unused most of the time.
- It would also create incentive for people to work by having access to the space close by.
- The workspace will be designed using biophilia and color therapy.
- Biophilic designs reduce stress which caused mental health and heart issues. It alsopromotes well-being, creativity, concentration, and productivity.("Biophilic Design")
- Biophilic designs can be implemented through three ways: literally, representationally,and experientially. (McCain)
- Color therapy can reduce stress, promote attentiveness, and improve moods. (Scully)
Prototype:
Solution: Biophilic Design Elements
§ Literal
- Different kinds of plants in large quantities
- Sunlight
- Outdoor space
§ Representational
- Materials like wooden furniture and ceramic pots
- Paintings and pictures of nature
- Natural Colors
§ Experiential
- Lager view of nature through glass walls
- Enclosed seating to create a sheltered and peaceful feeling
Solution: Colors Therapy
Other Earthy Colors
Sustainability
§ Social:
Help strengthen community bond and would be healthier than stay at home especially if they live alone.
§ Cultural:
Biophilicdesigns promote creativity and thus, self-expression.
§ Environmental:
Biophilic designs also uses more plants and less utility.
§ Financial:
Using less space and utility would be more financial sustainable.
Beneficiaries and Impacts
§ People who need a healthy and relaxing workspace from home:
- Employees
- Students
- Families with kids
§ Health:
- Help reduce health issues including mental health and heart diseases.
- Can create awareness about anxiety and other mental illnesses.
- How design practices like biophilia and color therapy can help with mental heath issues like anxiety and helping promote these design strategies.
