Designing Healthy Homes
More Than Bricks And Mortar
14 October 2025
Reflections from our Autumn Practice Day
What makes a truly healthy home? And how can architects help create them?
There’s more to housing than providing shelter – just as there’s more to health than the absence of illness. The places we live in shape almost every aspect of our physical, mental, and social wellbeing. As designers, we have a responsibility to create homes that actively support healthier, happier lives.
This month, our team came together for our Autumn Practice Day to explore these questions – looking closely at what defines a healthy home and how our designs can make a positive difference. Through a series of case studies and an in-depth review of our Gorse Ride development, we examined how design decisions translate into better health outcomes.
Why Healthy Homes Matter
It’s estimated that people spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Our homes – their design, location, and connection to community – influence how well we sleep, how safe we feel, and how easily we can connect with others. When housing supports wellbeing, the benefits ripple far beyond the front door: reducing strain on healthcare services, easing loneliness, and improving quality of life for generations.
What We Found Inspiring
Looking at both our own projects and others we admire, we saw many principles of healthy living already embedded in good design practice:
● Natural light and ventilation
● Comfortable, adaptable living space
● Thermal performance and energy efficiency
● Safety, security and accessibility
● Connection to nature and green space
● Access to amenities, transport and community
● Inclusivity and social connection
Yet, our discussions highlighted something often overlooked – social health. While physical and mental wellbeing are now firmly on the agenda, the role of housing in fostering relationships and belonging can still be underappreciated. A truly healthy home should not only protect health but also help people thrive socially.
We also reflected on how affordability and sustainability affect psychological health. A warm, secure, and affordable home can provide peace of mind and stability – crucial ingredients for wellbeing.
Beyond Safety — Towards Positive Design
Guest speaker Ben Channon, architect and author, reminded us to move beyond simply designing for compliance and safety, towards designing for positive wellbeing. His insights reinforced a key message: while many standards prevent harm, few actively promote health. That’s where thoughtful, human-centred design can have the most impact.
Bringing it Home
An afternoon visit to our Gorse Ride project allowed us to apply these ideas to our own work. Open discussion and shared learning helped spark new thinking about how we can embed wellbeing in every stage of design – from early concept through to delivery.
At Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, we believe that every home should contribute to a healthier, more connected community. Our ambition is simple: to make wellbeing central to everything we design – not as an afterthought, but as the foundation.
Because when homes are designed for health, everyone benefits – individuals, communities, and wider society.