Searching for Connections

between Positive
Psychology and
Regenerative Design
By: Angela Bejarano BArch,
MSc, LEED AP, WELL AP
Global Sustainability Consultant
Malaysian Green Building Council - Technical Advisor
Carbon Score Technical Committee

Session 3: Webinar on Elements of Health and Well-Being Building Design

18 November 2023 (SATURDAY) – ZOOM webinar
1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
 • Licensed Architect in Colombia with 29 years of
experience in commercial, residential, school,
airports and industrial buildings in Colombia, U.K,
U.S.A.
• Master in Renewable Energy and Architecture.
Notts, UK
• Global Sustainability Consultant in USA, UK, 1
Panama. LEED AP, WELL AP and former BREEAM AP. 2 3
• Regenerative Development Practitioner.
• MIT – Life Cycle Assessor certified.
• Life cycle analyst.
• Technical advisor for the Malaysian Green Building
Council – CarbonScore technical committee.
• University visiting lecturer: UCL, Middlesex
University, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana,
University of Nottingham.
• Speaker and writer: BRE, NRMCA, USGBC Texas 4
Chapter, World GBC, Noticreto, Malaysian GBC.

Angela Bejarano BArch, MSc, LEED AP, WELL AP

2
1. Endress Hauser, Houston. 2. Galleon Quay, London. 3. Grundfos HQ, Houston. 4. Pelham Road, Wimbledon, U.K.
 DIRECTION

D
1. Explore the current status (Ground) of mental
health and the system resilience in times of crisis
(COVID-19)
2. Immediate Goals under adopting positive

G G psychology and regenerative development and

design.
3. Tools to articulate and implement solutions in
GROUND GOALS these two areas as practitioners guiding a design
process and as designers
4. Direction looking at regeneration beyond the
current lens of sustainability, to build capacity for
T the system to grow and evolve.

TOOLS
 “Architecture is the art which so disposes
and adorns the edifices raised by man,
that the sight of them may contribute to
his mental health, power, and pleasure.”
— John Ruskin
John Ruskin
Writer, painter, Philosopher
(1819-1900)

Two views, two centuries apart ……………….…………………………………………….. one quest

“Architecture is a tool to improve lives, it

is a powerful tool for change.”
Anna Heringer
Architect

11/27/2023 4
https://www.archdaily.com/950681/anandaloy-center-studio-anna-heringer
 D

G G

THE GROUND
T
Coping in crisis:
Beyond the COVID- 19 Brain Fog
Out of the 9 targets and 4 pilot
targets, only the following is
addressed concerning mental health.

3.5 Strengthen the prevention and

treatment of substance abuse,
including narcotic drug abuse and
harmful use of alcohol.

3.A Strengthen the implementation of

the World Health Organization
Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control in all countries, as
appropriate.
UN SDG Progress Report 2023
No mention of progress on Mental Health
Add a footer 6
 264 million Women
people are
experiencing
Young
depression in the
population
workplace
(10-20 years)
(WHO)

80% of adults Workforce

report an (20-45 years)
increase in levels
of stress after Anxiety
the pandemic disorders
 Mental Health impact during COVID: Factors and direct psychological effects Increased poverty

Civil unrest Hunger

Isolation and loneliness associated with anxiety,
depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts Anxiety
during COVID-19
Depression
Lockdown associated with a rise in domestic Self-harm
violence against women and children and Suicide
uncovered again the patriarchal ties as a problem
in many homes, raising concerns of inequality.
Disparity for
School closures associated with child
Disabled at
maltreatment, accommodation issues, and
overcrowding among children, young people and Learning
families. setting

Workplace-related stressors, Disparity conditions Inequality

for vulnerable groups, remote work isolation.

Economy
Economy-related stressors, Unemployment,
bankruptcy, business closures. slowdown

Lack of exercise or limited interaction with the

outdoors associated with stress and inability to
cope or be resilient
Limitations to outdoors Disparity for Disabled
Civil unrest during COVID-19 associated with
and community spaces Inequality by Remote work isolation
anxiety and depression disability Grief
Mental Health impact post COVID: Long term impact & socio-economy factors

Workplace
• Afraid of returning to the office or reluctance Post-traumatic stress
to engage in the workplace negatively impacts
collaboration.
triggered by anxiety School setting
• Remote working distress related to Isolation
and depression affects
the ability to maintain • Avoidance to school or to interact in social
• Increase in mental health related medication situations.
both:
• For business owners, it is harder to maintain • Sedentary habits include avoidance of going
motivation for future investment while • Sense of meaning in life outside and taking sports activities.
retaining human capital • Effective resilience • Exacerbated previous learning disabilities
Mental Health beyond the crisis: Lessons learned from the pandemic

The World Health Organization has called for making mental health and well-being for all a global
priority

Mental Health is not a stigma but a critical part of human health and well beign

Feel encouraged to think differently about what is meaningful in life

Reflect on resilience and how effective our coping mechanisms are to be more adaptable to drastic
changes

The pace of development has placed us out of balance in our connection with nature

Need to reconnect with reality to find new ways to improve our health and well-being

Increased sense of empathy with co-workers, peers and community members

Increased flexibility in work hours to allow time to spend outside during daylight hours

Increased working practices to support different needs and lifestyles

Increased digital confidence and competence

Maintain hybrid work, decreasing commuting time to increase leisure time while maintaining
productivity.
 Increases medical
Hazardous waste
waste

Plastic Waste
Haphazard
disposal of PPE
Soil & Water
pollution

Increase
Air, water, pollution
municipal waste

Increase

hospital/hamper recycling activities

Lessens recycling
environmental

Negative impacts – PPE use/pressure in

activities pollution

– 19
COVID
crisis

from the
pandemic
beyond the
Environment

Lessons learned

Reduce fossil fuels Reduce GHG

Reduce resource
Reduce pollution &
consumption & improve water quality
Waste disposal

Reduce noise
pollution
Reduce transport
& industrial
activities
Improve air quality

Reduce pollution
Reduce pressure
Positive impacts – Lockdown /travel

in tourist
restrictions/slowdown economic activities

destinations
Ecological restoration
 D

G G

THE GOALS T

Mind & environment connection

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every
individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the
normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully,
and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

- World Health Organization

Rethinking HCD or ECD
 People

Planet Is

Prosperity Sustainability

Peace Enough?

Partnership

Positive Psychology
A field of psychological theory and research that
focuses on the psychological states (e.g.,
contentment, joy), individual traits or character
strengths (e.g., intimacy, integrity, altruism, wisdom),
and social institutions that enhance subjective well-
being and make life most worth living.
Positive Psychology aims to discover and promote
the factors that allow individuals and communities
to thrive.
Source: Integrating Social Science and Positive Psychology into Regenerative Development and Design Process. J.E. Cross 2019
Regenerative development
The process of building capacity and capability in
people, communities, and other natural systems to
renew, evolve and thrive
Regenerative Design
The art and process of planning and creating, based
on a deep understanding of place (ecosystem,
culture, etc) using technologies and strategies that
result in enduring capability for coevolution and
increase vitality and viability
 Positive Psychology Goals

• Pleasure • State of flow • Social trust • Sense of meaning • Pursuit of

• Ecstary • Being present • Collaboration • Belonging achievement
• Comfort • Deep of focus • Strong communication • Being of service • Learning
• Warmth • Collective engagement • Problem-solving • Lasting impact • Mastery
• Sense of beauty • Self-challenge • Boost performance • Coping mechanism • Will to engage in
• Emotional experience • Emotional experience • Emotional experience in crisis challenging times

Positive emotion Engagement Positive relationships Meaning Accomplishment

Source: Integrating Social Science and Positive Psychology into Regenerative Development and Design Process. J.E. Cross 2019
 Regenerative development Goals

• Interdependent • Positive contribution • Focus on unique • Sense of meaning • Building a

ecological, social, to natural systems. potential • Belonging community of
material and • Learning from nature • Sense of relevancy • Being of service practice
economic systems • Emulate and enhance • Strengths-based • Lasting impact • Develop team
• Complexity of living natural processes approach • Coping mechanism understanding
systems • Circularity • Sense of place in crisis • Building community
• Holistic approach • By product – Zero • Context knowledge trust
waste • Integrative approach

Human
Whole systems interdependence with
Accounting for
Being of service
Intentional Network
approach uniqueness weaving
nature
Source: Integrating Social Science and Positive Psychology into Regenerative Development and Design Process. J.E. Cross 2019
 Planetary

Enabling environment

Community

Supply chain

Market Place

Workplace

Source: The SDG Partnership Guidebook, UN 2020. https://sdgs.un.org/publications/sdg-partnership-guidebook-24566

 D

G G

THE TOOLS T

Designing for the mind

 Designing for the mind

Positive emotion Standards and Certifications Whole systems

approach
Integrative process

Engagement Policies Human

interdependence with
Building management nature
Design tools
Positive relationships
Accounting for
Biophilia
uniqueness
Circadian Cycle
Meaning Being of service
Restorative spaces

Community spaces Intentional Network

Accomplishment Beauty and design
weaving

Human Environment
 Standards and certifications

Source: IWBI: https://v2.wellcertified.com/en RESET: https://www.reset.build/ FITWELL: https://www.fitwel.org/

Standards and certifications

Mental Health is not addressed directly but

indirectly as a measure of Human health
parameters
 Integrative Process Team

Occupants
Owner
Buillding management
Operator
Landscape
Architect
Health and well-
HR team
P being goals

Architect Nutritionist

D I Environmental and
MEP Cost control
Engineer.
sustainability goals

Sub-contractors
Sustainability
Consultant
General contractor

Stakeholders:
Building users Co-creators Earth Community Investors
 Policies and Procedures (Building operations)

Designing policies Implementation

• To fulfil regulatory requirements Accessible Regular Review Training
• To provide consistency and transparency
• Ensure workplace safety
• Enable staff to provide better quality service
• Accountability according to the company’s vision and
mission

Mental health-related policies:

• Medical Insurance that supports mental health
• Employee handbook with Mental health information
• Mental health days and restorative opportunities and
programming.
• Promote mental health strategies within the
workplace
• Reduce stigma and boost mental health literacy – It’s
ok not to be ok.
• Tobacco cessation
• Substance Use and Addiction Services
Design Tools Biophilia

Circadian Cycle

Restorative spaces

Community spaces

Beauty and design

Sense of place

The Qualico Family Centre at Assiniboine Park - WINNIPEG, CANADA

Design Tools

Biophilia – the elements of design

Nature in the space

Design in direct contact with nature or natural systems.

Visual connection

Other sensorial Natural Analogues:

connection Design strategies that use references to, or representations of nature.
Non-Rhythmic
Sensory Stimuli Biomorphic Forms & Nature of the Space:
Thermal & Airflow Patterns Mimicking the spatial qualities of natural environments to evoke/enhance human
Variability responses
Material Connection
Presence of Water with Nature
Dynamic and Diffuse Prospect Refuge Mystery Risk / Peril
Light Complexity and Order
Connection with
Natural Systems

Creating positive spaces using biophilic design – Oliver Heath

 Design tools

Biophilia – the theories behind

The Prospect-Refuge
Theory Attention Restoration Ecological Valence
Circadian Rhythms ‘Blue Space’ Theory Mindfulness
Theory Theory
Savanna Hypothesis
• Physical, mental • Nature’s ability to • Color preference in • Incorporating water • Awareness of the
and behavioural replenish our response to nature into environments present moment
changes that follow mental and • Blue: clear sky or (built or natural) through connection
a roughly 24-hour attentional capacity clean water – • reduce stress, lower with one’s senses.
cycle after long periods of calming and heart rate and • Sight
directed attention. relaxing blood pressure, • Smell
• Green: healthy enhances • Hearing
vegetation calming relaxation, positive
• Touch
and restorative emotions,
• Inhabitants need to • Yellow: warmth and concentration,
have the structure sunshine – happy memory restoration
of a natural and welcoming
environment. • Red: healthy ripe
Combination of fruits –energising
shelter/exploration and exciting
areas.

Creating positive spaces using biophilic design – Oliver Heath

Design Tools

Circadian cycle

“physical, mental and behavioural changes that follow a roughly 24-

hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s
environment”.

In 2017, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to the scientists
who discovered the molecular mechanisms that control Circadian Rhythms

Circadian disruption can exacerbate mood disorder symptoms in predisposed individuals.

Indoor spaces often lack natural light. Lighting designers can simulate it to compensate for
the shortage and provide the right duration, color, and intensity for occupants.
Educational resources on health-related concepts like circadian rhythms, sleep hygiene,
and daylight exposure are important for occupants.

Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health (nature.com)

Design Tools

Restorative spaces

Spaces designated for individual restoration to help align workplace

design with the changing needs and attitudes of the workforce.

In workspace employees can Recharge and refocus, employers can help

alleviate the negative effects associated with workplace fatigue or
mental depletion.
Having private and comfortable spaces in the workplace helps cultivate a
sense of home while promoting collaboration. It also prioritizes wellness
caretaking, breaking down taboos and making it a priority

Providing restorative spaces can help employees readjust to the physical

workplace and increase their motivation to return.

Creating positive spaces using biophilic design – Oliver Heath

Clocking off: the companies introducing nap time to the workplace https://www.theguardian.com/business-to-business/2017/dec/04/clocking-off-the-companies-introducing-nap-time-to-the-workplace
Design Tools

Community spaces

Sense of community

1. Membership - a
feeling of belonging.
2. Influence - a sense
of having a voice
and mattering to
those within the
group
3. Reinforcement:
integration and
fulfilment of needs
4. Shared emotional
connections -
through history,
place and time.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Creating positiveCreating positivefor

spaces - designing spaces using3XN’s
community- biophilic
designdesign – Oliver
for Ørestad Heath
College in Copenhagen
 Design Tools

Beauty and Design

Celebration of spirit
Human delight

“direct access to daylight. “It is our ambition to “Through our solutions

Celebration of place
Celebration of culture Landscape design The sculpture “Gifts of

Meaningful integration of public art.

open space with light harness the elements of and through our actions celebrates a place. It Water” by the local artist
surfaces that enhance the beauty in working we will ensure water enhances existing green Jammey Huggins:
feeling of openness, environments which are access for more people cover, integrates natural The piece reflects the
flexibility and able of retaining and around the world, environment, and commitment of
transparency in the work attracting good safeguard our precious supports wellbeing of GRUNDFOS to use art as
area. employees while water resources and occupants. It showcases one of the instruments to
ensuring effective make a positive and local ecosystem services facilitate community
This sense of openness utilization of all office lasting impact on the and the significance of
and daylight extends engagement.
areas. We have all global climate water
throughout the different ways of working challenges”. 40% of the artist
circulation and common and the HQ layout proceeds ar donated to
areas” allowing room for Brookwood Community, a
everybody to use their local non-profit
work-days optimally. HQ residential facility for
will hopefully provide a adults with disabilities in
strong innovative and Brookshire.
employee-focused value
signal.”

GRUNDFOS AMERICAS Headquarters – Houston - 2022

 D

G G
THE DIRECTION
Towards an evolving T

state of mind
 Planetary

Enabling environment

Community

Supply chain

Market Place

Workplace
 Regenerative work – Positive Mind

Building change and capacity for others to grow.

REGENERATIVE
Continuous grow DEVELOPMENT
Enabling others

RESTORATIVE
Improve larger DEVELOPMENT
systems

NET ZERO - SUSTAINABLE

0

Upgrading within
MAINTAIN EFFECTIVENESS
small context

Operative level
Functional BUSINESS AS USUAL SCENARIO - FUNCTIONAL
Phipps' Center for Sustainable Landscapes
Thank you

11/27/2023 https://janegoodall.org/ 38
 Malaysia Green Building Council - MGBC
Common Ground Mid Valley (CGMV) BO 1-C, Level 19 , Menara 2 No 3 Jalan
Bangsar KL Eco City 59200, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6017 8510 700

Email: info@mgbc.org.my

Contact: Angela Bejarano Barch, MSc, LEED AP, WELL AP

Technical Advisor Carbon Score Technical committee - MGBC

Global Sustainability Consultant

ARKEO Consulting

Tel: +1 (281) 721-4243

Email: abejarano@arkeo-dc.com
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-bejarano-barch-msc-notts-709a668

11/27/2023 https://janegoodall.org/ 39
THANK YOU