Live ‘up’, live ‘well’
Well-being, defined as “a positive state experienced by individuals and societies” (World Health Organization) is more than just a buzzword.
In the postpandemic era, we now reassess how we live, work and design our environments. Well-being is now an attainable goal even while living in a vertical residence.
Core principles
Even before well-being entered mainstream awareness, we have regulatory frameworks that reflect its core principles, which developers, design consultants, and builders must adhere to.
These include the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) and its referral code, the Philippine Green Building Code (PGBC) for projects of significant size. Then there is the Well Building Standard, an international certification that focuses on people’s health and wellness.
However, unlike the NBCP and PGBC, WELL is only a voluntary certification and not legally required. It is also fairly new in our country. On a good note, some of its core principles like light, air, materials, water, mind and movement are already embedded in condo design and operations.
Natural daylight
Sunlight is the natural source for vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin. It improves our immunity, enhances calcium absorption for our bones, and supports our body’s circadian rhythm leading to improved sleep quality.
Each room in a condo unit has a window that has access to natural daylight. In fact, our NBCP requires each room without artificial ventilation to have a window whose size is equal to at least 10 percent of the floor area of the room.
The balcony is not a must but a delightful bonus, serving as your private connection to the outdoors. Here, you can sit and relax after a day’s work, exercise, or indulge in hobbies like painting and pot gardening.
Some spacious balconies extend your dining space, perfect for al fresco dining or weekend brunches. These possibilities spark freedom and joy, uplifting your mood.
Windows and balconies also give you private access to amazing sky views that you can experience at different times of the day. The view is indeed among the top-selling points of condo living. Having a bird’s eye view of your surroundings gives a different perspective literally and at times, figuratively, about life. If you are stuck with something, try focusing your gaze outside and it might just be the break you need to refresh your mind.
Air quality
The quality of the air we breathe indoor affects our cognitive function.
The PGBC specifies limits on the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, benzene and other chemicals detrimental to our health. What we do not want in our homes is off-gassing, the airborne release of VOCs from paint and wood composites used in cabinets, that can take days–even years.
With PGBC and more companies promoting better products, there are paint coating systems that are healthy and bio-friendly, or even sealers and wood composite that have low VOCs.
But it is always beneficial to open your windows and doors after painting works or upon turnover of your home to let the room breathe. On a daily basis, proper ventilation is a must for our physical health.
Clean water
Access to clean water is also key. While it is advised that condo owners install their own filtration gadget for drinking water, the supply of water in condos is relatively clean and, in most cases, consistent.
The PGBC also specifies dual-flush water closets and low-flow faucets for efficient use of water, making us stewards of this critical resource. This sense of responsibility toward society fosters a more positive outlook.
Property management
By living in a condo, you get 24/7 security and the property management office (PMO) that you can rely on for your deliveries, maintenance and repairs.
During the rainy season, you can sleep worry-free knowing that there are no roof leaks and that your car is parked safely, flood-free. Upon waking up, you have an option to take a refreshing jog within the condo’s private amenities, away from street traffic, and instead surrounded by a safe, secure, and comfortable environment.
You only need to step out of your unit, and you can move about and around the condo amenities because movement increases blood flow and releases endorphins–the happy chemicals.
A condo that integrates design principles centered on well-being offers more than just a shelter. It’s a space that actively supports your health and well-being so that by living “up” in the condo, you also get to live well.
The author is a senior partner at PRSP Architects
