Can design make you healthier? Inside the architecture of wellness

In Cologne, Ferdinand Stahl and his uncle – architect Thomas van den Valentyn, known for his work on the renovation of the Max Ernst Museum in Brühl – have unveiled a new workspace: Valentyns. This is no ordinary office: it features lighting that mimics natural daylight, acoustic wall and ceiling panels to minimise noise, and swoon-worthy Le Corbusier and USM Haller furniture. Members have access to breath-work and yoga sessions, cold plunges, Finnish and infrared saunas, HydraFacials and IV drips. In short, Valentyns is reimagining the office as somewhere – well – pleasant, reflected in the fact that, since moving in, members have reported a 30 per cent drop in sick days. ‘We create spaces that actively support regeneration,’ says Stahl. ‘It’s not enough to eliminate stressors – we need to create spaces where stress can be discharged.’

In London, a $2 billion mixed-use development, The Round, is currently under construction. It aims to become the UK’s first to achieve the WELL Community Gold Standard – a benchmark for healthy communities. As such, it will feature more than 30,000 sq ft of wellness-focused facilities, including gyms, pools, hot/cold therapy rooms, napping pods, digital detox spaces, art therapy, and classes for breath work, meditation and movement. Buildings will be equipped with water and air filtration systems and a terrace or garden every three floors. ‘Given how much time we spend in our homes – not just living, but increasingly working – we believe that every element of the design should enhance wellbeing,’ says Jasmine Dillon, managing director and head of marketing, community and experience at developer Hines.

"I believe that good design can restore us every day," she says. "WLLW helps translate science into design strategies that improve how people feel in their homes." One of the key elements that she emphasises to her clients is natural light: "We guide [them] through thoughtful spatial planning, sun path awareness and material choices that help carry light through the home."

Lisa Sternfeld

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