A Salutogenic Approach to Design
Most design is optimized for efficiency or aesthetics, and it ignores the primitive requirements of the human nervous system. A salutogenic approach to design shifts this focus. Instead of merely creating a 'look,' we are looking to create environments that are actively health-generating.
Today, most design is optimized for efficiency or aesthetics, and it ignores the primitive requirements of the human nervous system. We are after all, biological creatures currently living in a sensory mismatch. When we are surrounded by these harsh 90-degree angles and sterile surfaces, our brain's threat-detection centres; specifically the amygdala, remain in a state of low-level, constant alert. This creates a baseline of "spatial stress" that drains our cognitive reserves before we’ve even started our first task of the day.
Addressing this isn't as simple as adding greenery or choosing a softer, more natural paint colour. It requires a fundamental shift toward what we might call biological integration. It starts with mitigating that spatial stress by prioritizing softer geometries and curvilinear transitions that signal safety to the brain. From there, we have to look at the mathematical makeup of the textures around us. Humans are hardwired for "fractal fluency," meaning our eyes find rest in the self-repeating patterns we find in nature, like the specific grain of a piece of timber or the organic veining in stone. When these patterns are absent, the brain tends to work harder to process the environment, leading to what we refer to as "mental fog".
Finally, we have to respect our internal timing. We are essentially biological clocks, and our endocrine systems rely on this movement of light to regulate everything from cortisol to melatonin in our bodies. A building that doesn't synchronize its internal atmosphere with the solar day; a process known as circadian entrainment, is essentially keeping its occupants in a state of permanent jet lag.
When we move beyond the idea of "decorating" and begin auditing our spaces for these biological requirements, the environment stops being a backdrop and steps up to front stage and starts being an active participant in our well-being. A salutogenic tool doesn't just offer recovery from the day to day stressors of life, it actively generates the vitality and cognitive clarity we need in order to thrive.
A Path Forward
If this perspective resonates with your current project, I’d welcome a conversation. Rather than focusing on a specific "look," we can look at your blueprints through the lens of human performance and biological alignment. Whether you’re an architect or a homeowner, the goal is to ensure the final space supports the person within it as much as it supports the functions of the building.
