Wellness architecture: the magnitude of spatial healing of wellness in workplace culture

Abstract

This study focuses on to the needs of the new generation entering the workforce, with the intention of prioritizing their wellbeing and offering a space that represents work-life balance. It takes on a building at 205 Yonge Street, formerly owned and occupied by the Toronto Dominion’s Bank in Toronto’s Financial and Entertainment District, as a theoretical model for an adaptive reuse project that serves the broader creative community. How can architecture support mental illness and physical wellness in the new workplace? This thesis explores existing knowledge and theory regarding human well-being and the fundamental shifts of workplace culture. Through a series of case studies, it analyzes office designs and their correlation to health. This research seeks to gain an understanding of the body’s relationship to the spatial environment, specifically body movement, the configuration of furniture and the quality of space. By analyzing and synthesizing existing theories and data, the theoretical model demonstrates the potential of new workplace designs to improve physical and mental wellness. The outcome of this thesis is the re-imagination of an inclusive workplace culture that fosters wellness by emphasizing a sense of community among professionals.