How to design a Restorative Space or Zen Room in line with WELL Building standard guidelines

restorative space concept room concept design by biofilico

FIRSTLY, WHAT IS A RESTORATIVE SPACE AS PART OF A WELLBEING STRATEGY?

A dedicated wellbeing room is a designated space where individuals can take a break from their day-to-day lives and focus on themselves. It is designed to provide a calming atmosphere to help people (be they office worker, or coliving resident, for example) relax, refocus, and recharge.

The wellness room should ideally be free of unnecessary distractions and contain items that proactively promote mental and physical relaxation such as comfortable furniture, aromatherapy items, calming music, and art. More on that below as we go further into the details...

Users can spend time in the wellbeing room to meditate, practice yoga or simply take some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to be alone with their thoughts, or indeed together in a small group setting.

restorative space concept room concept design by biofilico

Mental health benefits of a dedicated restorative space in offices or coliving schemes

An office wellness room or zen room in a residential context can offer a variety of mental health benefits, such as allowing employees or residents to take a break from their work life and refocus their minds.

It can provide a quiet, private space to relax and relieve stress or anxiety, which can help improve their own productivity levels and morale.

Taking regular breaks from work to relax in an office wellbeing room for example can help employees stay focused and energized throughout the day.

Additionally, it can offer an opportunity for employees or residents to connect with one another, perhaps even to address any mental health issues in a private setting setting, fostering stronger relationships that may lead to better workplace collaboration.

WELL BUILDING FEATURE / RESTORATIVE SPACES

In MIND feature M07 of the WELL Building Standard the focus is on providing restorative spaces designed exclusively for calm contemplation and restoration to reduce occupant mental stress and fatigue.

Wellness design features in a restorative space, according to WELL, the consideration should cover lighting, sound, thermal comfort, seating, nature, colours & privacy.

This equates to some combination of dimmable lighting, nature sounds, shade from direct sunlight, evidence of biophilic design, comfortable seating that encourage relaxation, natural colours and materials, visual privacy, and finally audio-visual content to bring the whole space to life are.

The standard also specifies signage and/or educational materials to help communicate the room features - this could be via a QR code or printed material available in-room.

restorative space concept for Fusion Students by Biofilico

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR A ZEN ROOM OR WELLNESS ROOM

A safe, private, cocoon-like space in which students can take a quiet moment, either alone or in small groups, away from the pressures of the outside world and away from prying eyes, away from their desk.

Clusters of air-purifying plants combine with healthy, non-toxic fabrics and materials for enhanced indoor air quality.

Acoustic ceiling and door panels, partition wall insulation and curtains isolate the space from external noise.

Circadian lighting hidden among the plants below and ceiling panels above follows the body's natural 24-hr rhythm, adjusting automatically with the seasons.

Users have access to forest bathing sound therapies, breathwork sessions and mindfulness meditations via pre-loaded wellness apps on a wide-screen smart TV.

Meditation cushions, blankets and floor pillows combine with an inset thick-pile rug and a 'no shoes inside' policy. Ideal for small group workshops, holistic sessions and... simply being.

Natural light opens the door to living plants and establishes a connection with nature, or at the very least, with the natural ebb and flow of daylight outside.

How can biophilic design contribute to the wellbeing benefits of a recharge room?

Biophilic design can help create a calming atmosphere in a recharge room, allowing individuals to relax and feel at ease.

The use of natural materials, such as wood or stone, can help to ground the space and create a sense of connection to nature.

Plants can also be used to bring life into the room, providing a visual connection to the outdoors and helping to purify the air.

Additionally, natural light can help to lift moods, boost productivity and promote healing. By incorporating biophilic elements into a recharge room, individuals can benefit from increased relaxation and improved wellbeing.

recharge room for HERO Natural Foods, Switzerland by Biofilico

Multi-sensory design in wellness room interiors

Multi-sensory design is the perfect way to enhance the wellbeing benefits of an office recharge room.

By incorporating elements of sight, sound, smell, and touch, a wellness room with multi-sensory design can provide a calming atmosphere that helps employees or residents relax and reenergize.

For example, using calming colors for walls and furniture can create an inviting environment that promotes relaxation in a private space that is deemed to be safe and somehow separate from the rest of the building's facilities.

Adding scent diffusers with essential oils such as lavender can help to reduce stress levels and enhance mental health clarity. We are fans of forest aromatherapy via a wall-mounted diffuser that has a 50-day cartridge, for minimal operational impact on facilities management teams

Incorporating sound elements such as soothing music or nature sounds can also help to reduce stress and create a safe and calm space with an explicitly peaceful atmosphere - ideally with a 'no shoes inside' rule!

Our pals over at Open Ear Music and SWELL even take field recordings of nearby nature spots to quite literally bring the authentic sounds of nature indoors, an example all the difference of next level biophilia right there!

Finally, adding soft textures such as plush, thick pile eco-friendly rugs underfoot can provide tactile stimulation to further promote relaxation and when combined with biophilic design may promote feelings of nature connection.

With the right combination of multi-sensory elements, office and residential recharge rooms can be transformed into a haven of relaxation that helps employees and residents focus on their mental wellbeing.

Using air-purifying plants in a wellness room environment

Air-purifying indoor plants can help to reduce air pollution in a variety of ways. These plants can absorb harmful pollutants from the air, like formaldehyde and benzene. They also produce oxygen which helps to improve indoor air quality.

Additionally, these plants help to humidify the air and increase humidity levels, which can be beneficial for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Lastly, these plants can act as natural air filters that absorb dust particles and other allergens from the air, making it easier to breathe indoors.

All of these benefits make air-purifying indoor plants a great choice for improving indoor air quality and reducing pollution in any home or office environment.

Healthy Materials in wellness rooms in the workplace or residences

Healthy and non-toxic materials in interior design are becoming increasingly popular. Natural materials such as bamboo, cork, and wool are great choices for furniture and flooring.

Wood is another popular choice as a healthy material since it is renewable (when sustainably sourced) and has an inherent wabi-sabi beauty that adds warmth to any room.

For fabrics, look for organic cotton, linen, and hemp which are all made without the use of toxic chemicals.

If you’re looking for a more sustainable option, look into the emerging field of bio-based materials and of course recycled materials like plastics or glass. These can be used to create beautiful accent pieces or even countertops.

Lastly, paints and finishes should be low-VOC or no-VOC so that they don’t release harmful toxins into the air.

Alternative wall finishes might include clay plaster for example, that is naturally non-toxic, low in VOCs, as well as recyclable, repairable & compostable at its end of life.

Integrating pre-loaded wellness content for mental health in wellness spaces

It is useful to provide employees and residents (e.g. students in a student coliving) with the tools they need to stay healthy and productive, making it as easy as possible for them to access what they need, when they need it, removing as many obstacles in that process as possible in other words.

Recharge rooms can be designed to include different types of wellness content, such as meditation apps and mental wellbeing apps. Users can use these tools to relax, boost their mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and even increase their productivity.

A DIGITAL LIBRARY OF WELLNESS CONTENT

Additionally, employers or residential developers can create a digital and/or print library of wellness content that employees can access from their own devices within the recharge room, or indeed simply pick up to read.

This library could include books, podcasts, articles, videos or even a digital whiteboard with relaxation techniques or guided mindfulness exercises.

By providing these resources in a comfortable and quiet space for employees to access when they need it, employers are creating an environment where employees feel supported in their personal health and wellbeing journey.

Some of our favourite wellbeing room content apps that do not require significant budget would be OPO for guided meditations and sound baths; O-P-E-N for breathwork and meditation sessions; and finally SWELL for sound, wellness room and forest bathing.

Wellness spaces within a healthy building strategy

The key principles of a healthy building strategy should include the use of materials that are non-toxic and low-emitting, as well as a focus on energy efficiency and air quality.

Good ventilation is also essential for a healthy building environment, as it helps to provide fresh air to occupants and reduce indoor pollutants.

It is important to consider how the building interacts with its environment, such as through passive design strategies like natural lighting or shading, green roofs and walls, and other sustainable measures.

Additionally, it is important to consider the own personal health needs of occupants when designing a space by incorporating ergonomic furniture layouts, comfortable temperature control systems, noise reduction techniques, and other features that contribute to occupant wellbeing... such as gyms, yoga rooms and wellness rooms.