Designing for Health: Living Space

At the high of the pandemic, we were contacted by a lovely couple looking to redesign their home. They had been living in the home for the last 20 years, and wanted to remodel their main living areas (kitchen, foyer, living & dining room).

Optimizing their home renovation within a limited budget was key to them. Most importantly, they wanted to have ease of movement around the home and double down on functionality due to mobility limitations. 

We started by doing a deep dive analysis on the major issues with the existing design, layout and overall living conditions.

  1. The entryway had over 135 sq.ft. of unused space
  2. The existing furniture layout would not accommodate a bigger TV, something that the couple really wanted
  3. The colors did not reflect the light, which was insufficient
  4. The couch’s position did not allow interactions among the adjacent spaces

The TV was placed in front of the windows, so the spectator’s eyes would be against the glare of the outside’s natural light

The entrance lacked privacy, as both the elevator and staircase would open directly to the living room

The black cherry wood finish of the kitchen cabinets would not reflect the existing light, making the space feel darker

At ElementAire we take a holistic approach to design specifically through the lens of optimizing spaces for health and wellness. Our first challenge was to improve lighting conditions for the space. We had to add several new lighting fixtures (all dimmable) so the client could adjust the lighting in accordance with the time of day to match their circadian rhythm.

The colors we used were purposely chosen to illicit calm and relaxation while at the same time making the most of the natural light and amplifying the indoor lighting.

We drew on biophilic design principles to incorporate several methods to awake their inner connection with the natural world. We have decided to bring nature in through the implementation of natural elements, but not necessary living elements, to optimize the space for functionality and to allow for minimal maintenance requirements.

  1. The preserved moss, once living, requires no maintenance, making it a great strategy to create human-nature connection indoors
  2. The mirror helps to reflect the light and makes the space to feel bigger
  3. As the existing dining table is made of solid wood and it was in great condition, we have decided to replace only the dining chairs. The new pieces of furniture bring a modern touch to the existing dining area
  4. The pendant, right above the table, has the function to separate the spaces while avoiding the need of physical delimitations
  5. The kitchen cabinets were in good conditions, so our strategy was to change the color and add a new  backsplash. This simple approach creates the sensation of a completely new space

The layout proposed by element’Aire addressed several issues mentioned earlier.

  1. The new L shaped couch, now facing the entire living space, allows interaction among spaces and the people using them
  2. The piano, which before was not receiving the proper importance, now becomes the home’s centerpiece
  3. The entryway’s wall cabinet was designed to create a visual and physical barrier for those coming from the elevator. This new hallway awakes feelings of curiosity, as one wants to discover what is behind it
  4. With this new layout, the couple can get a bigger TV with confidence, knowing that the glare affects won’t be an issue

New elements: Moss art piece, wooden strips, dining chairs, lighting fixtures & mirror

Existing elements: Solid wood dining table

New elements: Couch, TV and TV unit, lighting fixtures, window treatment & wooden strips

Existing elements: Solid wood coffee table

The designed foyer is welcoming while creating a visual barrier to those who are using the elevator and/or staircase

By painting the kitchen cabinets in white and adding supplemental lighting fixtures, the space feels bigger and it is definitely brighter