Designing to Increase Healthier Habits:
Project StairWELL
Our project results from a partnership between DP Architects, Nanyang Technological University and NeuroAU and it was funded by the Design Singapore Council.
Frven LIM, Kailas Moorthy, George Christopoulos, Andréa de Paiva,
Morgan Hamel De Monchenault, Vincent Heryanto, Wu WenWei, Chua JiaHong, Zoe Victoria Gaa, Chan Yuan Ni
Introduction
This study originated from an inquiry into how design could act as a catalyst for healthier behaviors. The initial focus was placed on staircases, typically seen merely as functional connectors between floors, rather than as potential promoters of physical activity. The research aimed to explore the design of affordances for physical activity, specifically investigating wether staircase design could be optimized to encourage individuals to choose stairs over elevators, and to identify specific design interventions that could enhance the frequency of staircase use.
Significance of Physical Activity
Addressing the global issue of sedentarism, which the World Health Organization (2020) identifies as a growing concern, is critical. The WHO reports that 25% of adults and 75% of teenagers do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. Sedentary lifestyles are increasingly prevalent due to changes in how spaces are used and we believe design could be a tool to help us fight it.
Neuroscience Foundation
The study is informed by neuroscience, as physical inactivity adversely affects not only general health but also brain health and cognitive function. On the other hand, physical activity has several positive short- and long-term effects. Key findings in the field include:
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Elevated serotonin and dopamine levels (Lin & Kuo, 2013; Young, 2007), contributing to improved well-being and mood (Meyer et al., 2016).
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Enhanced synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis (Kramer & Erickson, 2007; Liu & Nusslock, 2018), which support better cognitive function (Hillman et al., 2018; Kirk-Sanchez & McGough, 2014).
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Increased expression of BDNF (Sleiman et al., 2016) and development of cognitive reserve (Mandolesi et al., 2017), which can delay cognitive decline with age (Festa et al., 2023; Jackson et al., 2016; Lin et al., 2018; Pedrinolla et al., 2017).
In addition to these cognitive benefits, physical activity also reduces the risk of numerous health issues, including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers (WHO, 2020), and improves mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Study Methodology
A field experiment was conducted to test the impact of various design interventions on staircase usage in an office building atrium in Singapore. The methodology included:
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Location: Existing staircase connecting the 9th and 10th floors in the office building of a major company in Singapore.
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Participants: Employees of the company
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Duration and Frequency: Each intervention was implemented for 5 consecutive days within a 34-week period. Interventions alternated with control weeks, during which the staircase remained unchanged.
Interventions and Data Collection
Fifteen different interventions were applied, incorporating a range of visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli. The interventions were assessed using sensors placed at the staircase to record the number of users. Data was collected at both the beginning and end of the staircase to monitor usage patterns.
Results
The study found that all interventions led to an increase in staircase usage. Notably, interventions involving physical plants resulted in the highest increase in usage, followed by visual and light-related interventions. The control periods without any intervention also showed higher traffic compared to the baseline, possibly indicating habit formation.
Discussion
The results suggest that while various design interventions can significantly enhance staircase usage, the long-term sustainability of these changes remains uncertain. Future research should focus on longer-term studies to assess whether these interventions lead to lasting behavioral changes and the formation of new habits.
Conclusion
In an increasingly sedentary world, it's crucial to incorporate physical activity into our daily lives. And spatial design can be a powerful tool in addressing this issue. As the study shows, the mere existence of functional affordances might not always be enough to encourage healthier behaviors. The appearance of these affordances and the subjective multisensory experiences they evoke are also key elements that should be considered. Design strategies, particularly those involving multisensory experiences, can play a crucial role in promoting active lifestyles. NeuroArchitecture, both through neuroscience methodologies and what they allow us to investigate as well as through neuroscience informed studies and the questions they allow us to make, can help architects and designers to better understand their role in supporting well-being and in harnessing positive behavioral changes.
