Active Design in Action: Transforming Spaces for a Healthier World

Active design is all about creating spaces that encourage people to be more active, and it's a game-changer for public health. By incorporating design elements that promote physical activity, we can transform spaces into healthier environments.

Incorporating stairs instead of elevators is a simple yet effective way to increase physical activity, as seen in the example of the University of California, San Francisco's (UCSF) 16-story hospital building that replaced elevators with stairs.

Physical activity is not just about exercise, but also about daily movement, and active design can encourage people to be more active in their daily lives. For instance, the UCSF hospital building's design encourages people to take the stairs by providing clear signage and a well-lit staircase.

The benefits of active design are numerous, including reduced obesity rates, improved mental health, and increased productivity.

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Active design is a concept that focuses on incorporating physical activity into daily life. It's not just about exercising, but about designing environments that encourage movement.

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Active design is based on the idea that the built environment can influence our behavior, and that small changes in our surroundings can make a big difference in our physical activity levels. For example, a study found that people who lived in neighborhoods with more parks and green spaces were more likely to be physically active.

The goal of active design is to create environments that are conducive to physical activity, rather than sedentary behavior. This can be achieved through the design of public spaces, transportation systems, and buildings. One way to do this is by incorporating stairs into buildings, as seen in some cities where stairs are a primary means of transportation between floors.

Active design is not just about individual behavior, but also about creating communities that support physical activity. By designing environments that promote walking, cycling, and other forms of physical activity, we can create healthier and more sustainable communities.

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Implementing active design concepts can have a significant impact on our physical activity levels. Studies have shown that moving into an active design building can decrease the time spent sitting by 1.2 hours per day.

Workers who moved into an active design building experienced physical health benefits, but their perceptions on productivity varied. There was no significant increase in self-rated quality of work or work-related motivation.

Active travel interventions, such as walk and cycle lanes, are also effective in preventing obesity. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has published a review of research on public health interventions to prevent obesity, highlighting the importance of active travel in promoting physical activity.

Access to green spaces and parks can also have a positive impact on our physical activity levels. However, there is limited research on the effects of implementing active design concepts, and more studies are needed to fully understand its benefits.

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Active design can be applied in various ways, including widening sidewalks and crosswalks to slow driving speeds and making stairs accessible, visible, attractive, and well-lit.

Developing communities may not always be accepting of new forms of architecture and living, which can lead to conflicts with preserving historical culture.

Incorporating strategically-located staircases can encourage people to use them instead of elevators, making them a primary means of travel between floors.

Grand, open staircases can be a design feature in modern offices, and they're not just for show - they can also provide a safe exit path in emergencies.

To make active design features visible and attractive, use glass enclosures, appealing colors, materials, and finishes that reflect a company's brand and design aesthetic.

Design code guidance can help embed Active Design principles into the coding process, making it easier to create spaces that promote physical activity.

Active design is all about creating spaces that encourage physical activity, and it's amazing to see it in action. Three new case studies have been produced showing Active Design principles in practice.

The River Cole Community Commons Project in Birmingham is a great example of using community-led wayfinding to create a network of local green spaces. This encourages physical activity and helps people get moving.

The Kidlington and Gosford Zoo Trails in Oxfordshire are another fantastic example of creating 'health routes' to promote physical and mental wellbeing among primary school children. By testing novel wayfinding approaches, they aim to increase the duration and intensity of a walk.

Here are the three new case studies that showcase Active Design principles:

The River Cole Community Commons Project is a great example of using community-led wayfinding to create a network of local green spaces that encourage physical activity. This project was implemented to promote physical activity and improve public health.

The River Cole Community Commons Project is located in Birmingham, and it's a testament to the power of community-led initiatives in creating healthy public spaces. By working together, communities can create spaces that promote physical activity and improve overall well-being.

One of the key strategies used in this project is community-led wayfinding, which involves creating a network of local green spaces that encourage people to be active. This approach has been shown to be effective in promoting physical activity and improving public health.

Here are some key features of the River Cole Community Commons Project:

By taking a community-led approach to designing public spaces, we can create environments that promote physical activity and improve overall well-being. This approach has been shown to be effective in promoting physical activity and improving public health.

We've recently added three new case studies to our collection, showing how Active Design principles can be put into practice.

These case studies are available for download and provide valuable insights into real-world applications of Active Design.

The Sowerby Sports Village case study is a great example of how Active Design can be used to create engaging and inclusive spaces.

You can download the file for this case study, which is 9 MB in size.

The River Cole Community Commons Project case study is another excellent example of Active Design in action.

This case study is 9.23 MB in size and is available for download.

If you're interested in learning more about Active Design, the Kidlington and Gosford Zoo Trails case study is a great place to start.

This case study is 13.82 MB in size and provides a detailed look at how Active Design was used to create a unique and engaging experience.

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American workers spend upwards of 1700 hours at their workplaces each year, with more than half their waking hours spent sitting in a vehicle during commute time and sitting at a computer the rest of the workday.

Active design solutions can address this issue by incorporating environmental changes, policies, and programs into the workplace that encourage employees to move more throughout the day.

Workers often spend more than half their waking hours sitting, resulting in skyrocketing rates of obesity and diseases like diabetes, which costs their employers in increased absenteeism and lower productivity, as well as rising healthcare expenses.

Incorporating elements like standing desks, walking paths, and fitness classes can help employees stay active and healthy throughout the workday.

The millennial generation places a high value on a well-designed workplace in choosing their employer, and are drawn to companies that demonstrate an interest and commitment to their wellbeing.

Active design solutions can also help companies with the so-called "war for talent", as highly skilled knowledge workers expect their workplace to support their lifestyle.

Companies like yours can benefit from incorporating active design solutions, such as providing employees with access to outdoor spaces, promoting physical activity through company-wide challenges, and offering healthy food options in the break room.

Promote Them!

If you build it, they will come, but that's not enough to change behavior. The "if you build it" strategy is not enough to encourage employees to use active design features.

You can increase stair use by up to 50% by putting up strategic signs reminding people to use the stairs instead of the elevator. This simple practice can make a big difference.

Some tips for signs are to remember to include multi-lingual messages, use large, easy to read fonts, and include motivators like the number of calories burned by taking the stairs or time saved waiting for the elevator.

By making active design features visible and attractive, you can increase their use. This can be done by using grand, architectural staircases, glass enclosures for visibility, and appealing colors, materials and finishes that reflect the company's brand and design aesthetic.

The CfAD Research Advisory is a group of experts from various fields who work together to inform the organization's work on active design. They create cross-sector relationships and bridge the gap between research and implementation.

The advisory is made up of 16 members, including architects, engineers, researchers, and healthcare professionals. Each member brings their unique expertise to the table.

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Some notable members of the Research Advisory include Lee Altman, a director of design management, and Andrew Dannenberg, a professor of environmental and occupational health sciences. Harry Etra, the CEO of HXE Partners, also sits on the advisory.

The advisory members come from a range of institutions, including the University of Washington, The Pennsylvania State University, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. They represent various disciplines, including architecture, engineering, and public health.

If you're interested in learning more about the CfAD Research Advisory or joining the group, you can reach out to Grace Dickinson for consideration.

In England, the key to encouraging people to use stairs is to locate them in a convenient spot. Locating stairs near the entrance of a building, within 25 feet, is a great idea as it makes them easily accessible and more likely to be used.

People are more likely to opt for the stairs when they're tired of waiting for the elevator, so placing stairs near elevators is a good strategy.

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Active design aims to improve public health by creating environments that encourage physical movement and social interaction. This can be seen in transportation systems that support pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.

Ineffective workers can cause harm to companies and communities, making it essential to design spaces that promote physical activity. Active design in recreation sites shapes play and activity spaces for people of different ages, interests, and abilities.

The future of active design may involve incorporating requirements into law, as seen in the city of New York's active design guidelines to improve public health in the city. Improved food accessibility can also improve nutrition in communities that need it most.

Active design aims to improve public health by creating environments that support physical, mental, and social well-being.

Sickness can lead to not working efficiently and effectively, causing harm to companies and communities.

Active design in transportation supports a safe and vibrant environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.

Improved food accessibility can improve nutrition in communities that need it most.

By creating buildings that encourage physical movement, active design aims to promote a healthier and more active population.

As we look to the future of active design, one potential direction is to make its requirements a part of the law.

The city of New York has already taken this step, setting active design guidelines to improve public health in the city.

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We've made some exciting updates to the Active Design initiative. In August 2024, three case studies were published, showcasing the impact of implementing Active Design principles in real-world settings.

These case studies demonstrate the tangible benefits of Active Design, and we're eager to share more. We've also published a report detailing the outcomes of regional workshops held in conjunction with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

The workshops brought together expert panellists to share their insights and experiences.

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We've been busy updating our resources with the latest news and findings. In August 2024, we published three case studies that showcase the impact of Active Design principles in real-world applications.

These case studies provide valuable insights into how the principles have been put into practice and the positive outcomes that have resulted. We're excited to share them with you.

We also released a report detailing the outcomes of regional workshops held in conjunction with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. This report offers a wealth of information on the effectiveness of these workshops.

The workshops were a collaborative effort and featured expert panellists.

The launch webinar was a key event in introducing the Active Design guidance. It was recorded and made available for those who couldn't attend in person.

This video serves as a valuable resource for those who want to learn more about the Active Design guidance. It provides a comprehensive overview of the program and its goals.