DESIGN
It’s Time to
Live Well
Home and work spaces can be the best medicine
Phil Dozois, owner of Pasadena’s BreakThruFit Studio, says a thoughtfully planned environment is key to achieving health and wellness goals.
Pasadena’s Harvey Slater, certified holistic nutritionist and chef, says the kitchen is part of a home’s “support system” to enhance healthy living.
ow more than ever, the spaces where we live and work have taken on an increased importance. Our happiness, health, productivity and comfort are all greatly impacted by the physical environments in which we reside and work — particularly as we endure the pandemic. No longer can interior design just be about aesthetics when it has the power to be purposeful and enhance one’s well-being. This concept of advancing human health through the built environment, coined “Wellness Design,” has fueled a momentum of interest among builders, designers, real estate developers and manufacturers who recognize the benefit of creating healthy spaces and building products that help people live an optimal life and potentially prevent chronic disease. Just imagine living and working in a beautiful space that has been thoughtfully planned to address the 10 pillars of wellness design: clean air, circadian rhythm lighting, filtered water, areas for movement, healthy nourishment, sound mitigation, natural beauty, nontoxic materials, thermal comfort and community with others. Sounds wonderful, right? It is. And spearheading this global wellness movement in architecture is the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a public benefit company based in New York and recognized on Fast Company’s 2019 Most Innovative Business List. Their mission: to put people’s health at the center of building design. And with most of us spending nearly 90% of our life indoors, our bodies need to occupy spaces that support out physical, cognitive and emotional well-being to function optimally, alleviate stress and enhance our happiness. Renovating with wellness in mind When planning an upcoming remodel, there are five areas of the home that can be addressed to elevate
physical and mental health. These include the kitchen, master bathroom, master bedroom, home office and a fitness area. Each space has the potential to be enhanced with science-backed design strategies that improve well-being as well as create a more comfortable, safe and healthy interior that is a joy to spend time in. It just takes some thoughtful planning, informed product selection and the guidance of professionals. Kitchen as the wellness center Your kitchen is your personal health center, as it provides the physical and mental nourishment that is essential to a quality life. As such, when planning a kitchen remodel, it is helpful to design a plan that promotes healthy cooking, enhances food preservation, and increases the functionality of the space so it is enjoyable to cook with others. “A well-organized kitchen stocked with nutritious foods will almost guarantee you will make better food choices and enjoy food prep,” says Harvey Slater, Pasadena holistic and nutrition consultant. “And the simple skill of planning a supportive kitchen environment, through thoughtful appliance selection among other strategies, will set you up for success in achieving your goals.” And when it comes to appliances that promote healthy cooking, the multifunctional steam-convection oven wins hands down. Affectionally coined the “Swiss army knife” of appliances, combination steam ovens operate in a dry-heat manner of bake, heat and warm, but also offer the ability to steam food. This is ideal for reducing oil and fat, maintaining food’s vital nutrients, and preserving food’s juices and moisture on the inside when needed. Additionally, they also offer the versatility of air frying, as well as searing and broiling, among other features. “We have definitely noticed an uptick in customers seeking wellness
Photos by Chris Mortenson
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By Gail E. Jamentz
22 | ARROYO | 03.22
22-Wellness Homes.indd 22
2/25/22 12:26 PM
