THEORETICAL APPROACH

Healthy Buildings

Buildings were designed around airy courtyards. However, after the mid-twentieth century, buildings became enclosed and unventilated. The introduction of the air-conditioning unit encouraged buildings to remain enclosed and become habitable ‘boxes’. This lack of ventilation in a building is known as ‘sick building syndrome’ (SBS) (Somvanshi, 2021). People spend around 90% indoors and air conditioning can increase the spread of any infections within buildings (Megahed, 2020).

The deadly air borne Covid-19 virus was introduced into the sick buildings that had to adapt to ensure a healthy building in which people could work and live (Megahed, 2020).

The theoretical approach of healthy buildings is used to analyse what is needed for a building to become healthy, and in this case to adapt the university student residence to ensure a safe return for students in a healthy environment.

“We need our buildings to breathe naturally if we want to continue breathing naturally” (Somvanshi, 2021).

The Harvard School of Public Health (Allen, 2017) highlights nine foundations for a healthy building.

Nine Foundations

- Ventilation - Air quality - Water quality - Thermal health - Dust and pests - Lighting and views - Noise - Moisture - Safety and security

Ventilation

Outdoor air should be filtered before entering a building, especially at street level, to avoid Outdoor air should be filtered before entering a building, especially at street level, to avoid outdoor pollutants. outdoor pollutants.

How is health affected? How is health affected?

Low-ventilation rates in spaces lead to stuffiness and unpleasantness. It can also lead to Low-ventilation rates in spaces lead to stuffiness and unpleasantness. It can also lead to increased pollutants in a building, causing ailments such as: increased pollutants in a building, causing ailments such as: - Headache Headache - Fatigue Fatigue - Shortness of breath Shortness of breath - Sinus congestion Sinus congestion - Cough Cough - Sneezing Sneezing - Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation - Dizziness Dizziness - Nausea. Nausea.

These symptoms are the result of when health is affected in a particular building, which is also These symptoms are the result of when health is affected in a particular building, which is also referred to as SBS by the WHO. referred to as SBS by the WHO.

Students in a well-ventilated area are more productive and healthy with a longer attention Students in a well-ventilated area are more productive and healthy with a longer attention span. Students in a poorly ventilated area experience a decrease in productivity and an span. Students in a poorly ventilated area experience a decrease in productivity and an increase in absences. increase in absences.

Air Quality

Materials used in a building have to be selected to ensure low chemical emissions.

How is health affected?

Being exposed to indoor air pollutants can be linked to:

- Asthma - Allergies - Bronchitis - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Poor air quality can impact productivity and cognitive function.

Three chemical of concerns are:

- Flame-retardant chemical: Migrates out of the product into the air and dust. - Stain-repellent chemicals: Usually found in furniture, carpets, and paints, among others, with exposure usually through air, dust, and drinking water. - Plasticiser chemical: Usually found in vinyl tiles, PVC, and artificial leather, among others. The chemicals migrate out of the product and can be found in air and dust.

Water Quality

A water-purification system can be installed to remove contaminants.

How is health affected?

Water quality can be affected by:

- Inorganic chemicals: This is dependent on the water pipe material, and all lead pipes should be replaced. Lead pipes can lead to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, nerve disorders, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems. - Organic chemicals: Fluorinated chemicals are used as stain-resistant and non-stick products and has been associated with elevated cholesterol, cancer, obesity, and immune suppression. - Microorganisms: Legionella bacteria thrives in plumbing systems and causes pontiac fever (a self-resolving flu-like illness) and Legionnaire’s disease (pneumonia).

Thermal Health

An ambient temperature throughout the day improves thermal comfort for the occupant. How is health affected?

Unfavourable ventilation, humidity, and heat, may cause people to experience:

- Itchiness - Watery eyes - Headaches - Throat irritation.

SBS can be increased in a too-warm environment causing symptoms such as:

- Negative moods - Increase in heart rates - Respiratory symptoms - Increased fatigue.

Too cold and dry environments promote the spread of the influenza virus.

Dust and Pests

To minimise the risk of dust and pests, clean regularly, seal off entry points, prevent moisture build-up, and remove trash regularly.

How is health affected?

Dust exposure happens in three ways:

- Inhalation - Direct dermal absorption - Ingestion via hand-to-mouth contact

Even when the origin of a chemical is removed, particles still remain within the dust, allowing longer exposure. Pest exposure is mainly through dust mites, cockroaches, mice, rats, cats, and dogs.

Dust mites can cause symptoms such as: - Asthma - Hay fever - Runny nose - Watery eyes.

Cockroach exposure can also lead to asthma.

Lighting and Views

Visual comfort can be achieved by avoiding glare, allowing as much daylight as possible to enter the building and implementing high-intensity blue-enriched lighting. Providing a direct line of sight to the outdoors from all workstations is also recommended.

How is health affected?

Good health is promoted by maintaining a stable 24-hour light-dark cycle with electric lighting to regulate hormones, alertness, mood, performance patterns, and immune function. By reducing light intensity during the evening, alertness is reduced, sleep improves, and therefore cognitive functioning improves.

High levels of indoor daylight:

- Improves vision - Reduces headaches - Reduces depression - Reduces eye-stain.

Low levels of indoor daylight:

- Increased risk of near sidedness - Developing symptoms of depression - Reduces quality of sleep.

A view of the natural environment can promote recovery from stress and mental fatigue, improving the attention span.

Noise

Protection is required against outdoor noises such as traffic, construction, and aircrafts.

How is health affected?

Increased noise levels can alter the function of the body’s internal system and organs. Such alterations are systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, and heart rate changes. Prolonged exposure to transportation noise can also lead to lower levels of physical activity. Work satisfaction and productivity can be affected by ambient noise.

Moisture

Regular inspections are needed of roofing, plumbing, and ceilings to ensure no mould buildup.

How is health affected?

Dampness and mould build-up, contributes to 21% of cases of asthma reported each year. Exposure can lead to the following symptoms in people without pre-existing allergies or respiratory conditions:

- Sneezing - Runny nose - Eye irritation - Coughing - Congestion - Skin rash.

Productivity can be interrupted in the workplace, and job performance can be decreased, thus creating an unpleasant work environment.

Safety and Security

Fire safety standards must be met. Adequate lighting is necessary inside buildings, in circulation areas and around the site. Points of entry and exit and the property perimeter also must be managed.

How is health affected?

A ‘fight or flight’ response can be triggered when a person’s sense of safety is threatened. Stress induced hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, elevate heart rate and increases blood pressure. Additionally the negative psychological effects from fear include:

- Anxiety and stress - Difficulty sleeping - Depression - Panic attacks.

Factors that reduce the fear of safety include the presence of:

- Uniformed security guards - Fences - Locks - Secure entry and exit systems