What constitutes a home designed for well-being?

Building design can affect our well-being as certain landscapes and environments can have restorative qualities. When people look at nature or have the flexibility to step outdoors to get some fresh air in a city like Dubai, it can elevate one’s mood, increase positivity and reduce stress.

Dr. Saliha Afridi, Managing Director and Clinical Psychologist at LightHouse Arabia, Center for Well-being highlights the psychological benefits of living in a house with beautiful views.

“We shape our buildings and afterward our buildings shape us,” said Winston Churchill in 1943. Over 75 years later this thought is still relevant to the current times where psychologists are increasingly finding evidence about the benefits of living in homes with pleasant views.

Building design can affect our well-being as certain landscapes and environments can have restorative qualities. When people look at nature or have the flexibility to step outdoors to get some fresh air in a city like Dubai, it can elevate one’s mood, increase positivity and reduce stress. Keeping this in mind, urban planners are creating pockets of greenery wherever possible to have a have a positive effect on an individual’s mental, emotional and physical health.

Signature Developers have a strong focus on ensuring their residents get the best views possible and lead a happier lifestyle, which is reflected in the construction and design of both their properties, The 118 and The Residences, JLT.

 The former is a 28-residence tower located in Downtown Dubai with 26 single-storey apartments and two duplex penthouses. The residences start from the 14th floor to ensure all homeowners get panoramic 360-degree views across the city. The 3.5m high windows facilitate a smooth flow of natural light into the apartments to enhance the experience further. 

While, each apartment of the 46-storey skyscraper, The Residences, JLT comes with a glass pod, alcove or terrace, providing inhabitants with stunning vistas of the nearby golf courses, desert landscape, the sea, and the dazzling skyline. These pods offer uninterrupted 270-degree views and can be modified to suit the end-users needs. The pods can be transformed into a reading nook, family dining area or space for entertaining.

“A home is a haven where you want to feel safe and relaxed. A place that is not only comforting but inspiring. This is where you want to let your guard down. If your house has a dull or unpleasant view, you will be carrying that energy with you all day - even when you are not in the house. When looking for a place to live, people should consider all the details - the streets that lead up to the apartment/villa, the hallways, the house itself and the surrounding environment – all of which will impact your overall well-being,” said Dr. Saliha Afridi, Managing Director and Clinical Psychologist at LightHouse Arabia, Center for Well-being. 

“Studies of brain scans indicate that there is increased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex (an area of the brain whose deactivation is linked with depression and anxiety) when people spend time more time in and around nature. Individuals feel zestful, energetic and are generally happier with this experience. Watching the sunset and sunrise increases our Vitamin D intake, releases endorphins in the body and promotes the feeling of gratitude,” she added. 

Raju Shroff, Director of Signature Developers commented, “When buying a house, a potential occupant will weigh several factors, however, one of the primary aspects taken into account is ‘the view’. We have worked closely with our architects and designers from day one to ensure that this element is not compromised.” 

“The apartments in both The 118 and The Residences, JLT are planned with the lateral living concept giving homeowners the flexibility to utilise the space as per their preferences. The high ceilings accentuate the natural light making the house look more spacious. In the end, we want our residents to feel content, happy and proud of their homes,” he added.