Penny Clark: What is the ethos of Wellstudio?

Tom Manwell: The ethos of Wellstudio is to create architecture which supports the well-being of individuals, communities and the planet. The Wellstudio design philosophy covers seven aspects of well-being: light, air, sound, warmth, touch, togetherness and nature. Consideration of these aspects and their integration into our designs forms the foundation of our architectural approach.

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Penny Clark: How have you embodied that ethos in some of your recent projects?

Tom Manwell: In one of our current coliving projects we are transforming an existing building with very basic HMO accommodation into a coliving building which supports mental and physical wellbeing. We are opening out the small cramped kitchen spaces of the existing building which lack dining facilities and knocking through separating walls to combine them together. We are improving these new spaces with enlarged window openings and roof lights to improve natural light levels and ventilation, focussing on south-facing windows to maximise sunlight penetration. We are creating improved kitchen areas with ‘L’ shapes or islands which encourage social interaction, and creating balconies or roof terraces to provide residents with outdoor amenity space. We are upgrading the acoustic insulation of separating walls between bedrooms to reduce sound transmission and create a feeling of sanctuary in the bedrooms. We are connecting residents to nature by integrating internal and external biophilic planting throughout the scheme.

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Penny Clark: What, to you, are the fundamentals of designing for wellbeing?

Tom Manwell: The fundamental aspects of designing for wellbeing are really very simple. They are the same considerations which architects have had throughout history – how to create shelter, to keep someone warm, safe, and comfortable and provide the practical functions its inhabitants may require.

Our philosophy of wellbeing brings these fundamentals into the 21st century, and adds further aspects of functionality in terms of the needs of the planet (sustainability), the mind (connection to nature, beauty, zen space) and the community (social interaction, support networks and human connection). Our philosophy is also about integration. We are aware of the innate interconnection between all aspects and that they must work together in harmony in order to create a space which enables residents to thrive.

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Penny Clark: I know that you were recently WELL certified. Can you explain what the WELL Building Standard is, and why it is valuable?

Tom Manwell: The WELL Building Standard is a globally recognised standard for creating buildings which support human health and wellness, created by the International WELL Building Institute in California, USA. It is based on scientific research and organised around seven aspects: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind (with the addition of a few more aspects including innovation and community for WELL v2).

We think that the WELL Building Standard is valuable because it sets a standard for construction professionals and regulators, providing a foundation of scientific research into the design aspects of a project which supports mental and physical well-being. Like any top-down framework, it cannot account for the specific considerations of each unique project. Yet, frameworks such as these are vital in promoting wellbeing within the industry.

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Penny Clark: Can you give me your favourite examples of how design for well-being and design for sustainability intersect?

Tom Manwell: At Wellstudio, we believe that what supports planetary well-being ultimately also supports individual wellbeing, as without healthy planetary ecosystems we would not be able to survive. Therefore we believe that environmental sustainability should naturally form part of any design consideration.

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Specific examples where design for well-being and sustainability intersect might be:

• Biophilic design: Plants support mental and physical well-being by improving air quality and

mood, relieving stress and anxiety and supporting environmental sustainability because they turn carbon dioxide into oxygen; they are also visually nourishing, support biodiversity and create shade.

• Shared laundries: Laundries support community well-being by creating spaces where people can meet and chat whilst waiting for their clothes to be washed, and are also a more environmentally sustainable option because fewer washing machines per person are needed, therefore carbon footprints are reduced. Shared laundries are also financially sustainable, as the cost of providing them is less than the provision of individual washing facilities ... Ultimately, this is good for residents, coliving operators and the planet.

• Cycling Provision: By designing a coliving space to have ample provision for secure and sheltered cycle parking and connection to existing cycling networks, residents will be encouraged to cycle to and from their coliving accommodation – thereby reducing the carbon footprint of residents and providing them with opportunities for physical exercise, thus ultimately supporting their physical wellbeing.

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Penny Clark: Tell me about a coliving design that you love, and why?

Tom Manwell: I visited Zoku in Amsterdam last year and absolutely loved it! From a coliving design and well-being point of view, I think it is one of the best coliving spaces out there with some really great innovations, in particular the mezzanine living units and rooftop shared space.

The rooftop is absolutely amazing because due to the large amounts of glazing it is flooded with natural light, and the abundance of internal and external planting instantly uplifts you. Arriving by elevator from the ground floor and walking along the glazed planted corridor to the main space makes you feel like you have reached some kind of coliving heaven(!).

The main space is partitioned into multiple social spaces including a kitchen bar, a shop for buying everyday supplies, coworking spaces and lounge areas. The whole space is well planned and laid out, with multiple corners to sit and work on your laptop or meet with friends. On top of this, Zoku provides a great calendar of events and activities to bring guests together.

The mezzanine living units are also well designed due to their high floor-to-ceiling heights, raised sleeping platforms screened for privacy, retractable staircases and a thoughtfully designed main area which allows for multiple functions (e.g. working, entertaining, sleeping, exercising, etc).

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Penny Clark: What is something that you would like to see more of when it comes to coliving design?

Tom Manwell: I would like to see better-designed shared kitchen dining spaces and fewer kitchenettes. From our experience, cooking and eating together is one of the ‘glues’ which binds a community together and so shared kitchen / dining spaces, although they require more commitment from the residents and staff to manage, will lead to a deepening of the connection between residents and support a thriving community!

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Penny Clark: What are some small and inexpensive ways in which the well-being in coliving spaces can be optimised?

Tom Manwell: There are many smaller ways in which coliving spaces can be improved which don’t need to cost a great deal. Biophilic elements such as pot plants, hanging plants, herb boxes and green walls can transform the well-being impact of a space and especially if brought small or grown from cuttings can be sourced at very low costs.

Artificial lighting is another area where large improvements can be made on the circadian impact of the space and its wellbeing impact through the use of LED light bulb systems. These systems can produce a variety of different colours and lighting effects, such as Philips Hue, allowing for lights to slowly switch on in the morning, mimicking the sunrise.

Changing the furniture can also transform the well-being impact of the space. You can remove items which are high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – which can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and allergic reactions – and instead replace them with reclaimed or recycled furniture made of natural materials. You may also want to ensure there are enough soft furnishings if a space feels too echoey.

Finally, just the simple act of keeping a space clean and tidy also has a massive impact! Making sure it is well maintained and that things are fixed will help the residents maintain a calm zen vibe.

Penny Clark: Doing the dishes is good for resident wellbeing and stronger member engagement ... We couldn’t agree more! Thanks to Tom Manwell, Founder and Director of Wellstudio, for sharing his insights. Wellstudio is currently working on coliving projects in the UK, in conjunction with Conscious Coliving.

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