Colorado-Real-Estate-Journal_480333

34 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / SEPTEMBER 2025 ELEMENTS Design for Health Academic Research, Taking the Guesswork Out of Design O n average, Americans spend nearly 90% of their lives in- doors. With all that time spent inside, the design of our built environ- ment naturally has an outsized impact on everything from our health and well-being to our behavior and, often, even social and community outcomes. Until more recently, the relation- ship between interior design and hu- man health was rarely the domain of science. It was more often a matter of personal taste, aesthetics or budget. That’s changing. A growing body of research is reshaping how we under- stand the built environment’s profound impact on physi- cal and mental well-being. Just as key health drivers like exercise and diet rely on evidence to improve outcomes, there is increasing evi- dence of the power of research-backed design. By integrat- ing the results of academic studies and behavioral insights into every phase of the design process, we can create spac- es that enhance the lives of those who use them. n Design can improve lives in evolving sectors. That’s why we work with academic institutions like the Univer- sity of Colorado Denver, as members of its Design/HEALth Advisory Council. Through our engagement, we aim to bet- ter understand how the spaces that we create influence everything from stress to social connection. This initiative engages professionals across the spectrum of health and the built environment, from doctors and psychologists to architects and designers, involved in projects focused on the environmental determinants of health. In June, the council hosted a summit at CU Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning, bringing important voices together to collaborate and have conversations that make a difference to the future of design. Subject matter experts weighed in on everything from removing endo- crine-disrupting chemicals from construction materials to incorporating activated stairs to encourage movement over elevator use. Concurrently, I am also earning my doctorate in art and philosophy at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visu- al Arts, pursuing research and development specifically in the areas of aesthetics and art theory, further reinforcing our firm’s commitment to thought leadership as a differ- entiator. Increasing long-term usability and value for our clients is integral to what we do, but so is our responsibility to our entire community. There is great potential to apply health-centric design, particularly in expanding market segments like 55-plus communities and attainable housing. n Designing for active adults. In the past 20 years, Col- orado’s over-65 population has more than doubled. Today’s active adult cohort is more socially engaged, looking for homes that sup port their lifestyle, not just their age. Data shows t hat the longer we can support that active lifestyle, the greater the quality of life will be for these residents. To that end, the clubhouse at Verterra, a Tril- ogy Boutique Community by Shea Homes, is designed as a hub where neighbors come together for yoga, painting, book clubs and casual catchups. As a space that encourages community and active usage, the clubhouse isn’t just a fun place for connection and recreation; it is essential to aging well. Research shows that inclusive, welcoming communi- ty environmen ts reduce isolation, e specially among older adults. To support different mobility needs for this cohort, in- stead of signs or arrows, small changes in flooring texture, ceiling height, and natural light help residents orient them- selves intuitively. Clear transitions between active zones and quieter areas support the rhythm of a day, giving resi- Angela Harris CEO, TRIO Design Ph.D. Student, Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts Designed to reflect both comfort and connection, the interiors of the Trilogy Valor Clubhouse in Boise, Idaho, strike a thoughtful balance between rugged sophistication and modern warmth. Gardner Group’s Gem Sugar District project includes a thoughtful- ly designed clubroom