Most people spend the majority of their waking hours indoors. For many, that means inside an office building. According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, “a healthy building is a space that supports the physical, psychological, and social health and well-being of workers. It is a space where they can be safe, comfortable, and productive.”
Despite that, not all buildings are created equal. Sick building syndrome (SBS) was coined to describe the occupants of a building experiencing health or comfort-related impacts on their minds and bodies seemingly linked to time spent in the building. Some causes might be contaminants, inadequate ventilation, or psychological effects. Poor lighting, acoustics, and ergonomics may all be factors. These contribute to headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, dry skin, and even personality changes.
Thankfully, architects and designers are stepping up to deliver solutions that support both wellness and productivity in the workplace. When spaces are designed to prioritize human health, everyone wins.
Manuel Granja is an architect specializing in sustainable design solutions for fitness and wellness spaces, committed to improving public health in America. His mission includes the integration of humanity-centered design strategies, advanced environmental systems, and data-driven architecture to create innovative fitness and wellness facilities that encourage physical activity and mental well-being.
Directly addressing the nation’s growing health crisis, Manuel aims to curb hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders by designing spaces that promote healthier lifestyles. The goal? To ultimately reduce healthcare costs and enhance community welfare.
Manuel has worked with major global brands to design wellness spaces and is now opening his own venture called BrandSpace Architects. His firm will focus on revitalizing available retail spaces, concentrating on interiors and therefore minimizing environmental impact. He hopes to advocate for better integration of wellness into the culture on the whole, meaning practices that help deliver sustained exercise habits and even infrastructure that supports active commuting.
“My global perspective, cultivated through participation in diverse sports and extensive professional experience worldwide, has provided me with unique insights into exercise motivations and public health disparities,” Manuel explains. “I’ve observed firsthand how socioeconomic factors and cultural nuances influence fitness behaviors and public health outcomes. This experience has reinforced my belief that fitness solutions must be deeply rooted in individual and cultural needs, recognizing that while culture is dynamic, its initial influence is critical.”
To this end, Manuel empowers clients with whom he works by conducting valuable market research tailored to the specific communities in which their entrepreneurial efforts will exist. It’s all about ensuring sustainable operations and reducing unnecessary overhead, all of which can take away from the bottom line — improved health outcomes nationwide.
American culture is all about the hustle, so much so that sometimes we forget how important it is to preserve our energy and prioritize mental and physical health. Manuel believes that leaders should provide resources for their teams to unwind and take care of themselves because that will maximize performance.
“For leaders and entrepreneurs aiming to cultivate high-performing teams, my design philosophy prioritizes maximizing exercise adherence through minimal effort, a strategy grounded in behavioral science, an approach that translates to tangible benefits. By strategically investing in WELL and LEED-inspired amenities, businesses can significantly enhance occupant behavior and improve public health, positioning themselves as innovators in employee well-being,” Manuel says.
He continues, “Furthermore, envisioning commercial fitness facilities as dynamic social hubs, akin to restaurants, creates engaging experiences that foster community and sustained engagement. This model not only boosts team morale but also offers a competitive advantage by attracting and retaining top talent.”
For businesses within the fitness sector, it’s essential to consider how your gym can stand out amongst the competition in such an expanding market. For businesses outside the fitness sector, integrating a simple but impactful wellness program offers a straightforward path to improved productivity rates and lower employee turnover. In a world where workplace culture and public health are more intertwined than ever, investing in wellness isn’t just good for employees, it’s good for business.
