An examination of the factors influencing a cohort of post-graduate architecture students in the adoption of sustainable design practices that support health and well-being

Abstract

Presented in this paper are the results of an interactive workshop undertaken with a cohort of international architecture students, which aimed to explore their approaches to sustainable decision-making and design, including biophilic and restorative environmental design. The intention of the research was to establish current barriers to the adoption of design strategies that support occupant health and well-being. An essential constituent of sustainable design, occupant health and well-being feeds into the overarching aim of UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. A total of 68 international post-graduate architecture students took part in the study. The results of the research highlight a significant knowledge gap, with few students demonstrating an understanding of both the direct and indirect benefits of implementing holistic sustainable design strategies, and very few reporting a knowledge or well-developed understanding of biophilic or restorative environmental design. However, the research did highlight students’ propensity towards environmentally responsible behaviour. Indeed, environmental attitudes appear to be in place, but what is currently lacking in these early career practitioners are the knowledge and skills to implement holistic sustainable decision-making.