It has long been known that people who live and work in aesthetically pleasing surroundings are happier, but it seems that the appearance of our environment can also have an impact on our health. A new research paper from the Warwick Business School takes a look at how scenery can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of humans. The paper is entitled “Quantifying the Impact of Scenic Environments on Health” and it makes fascinating reading.

The study involved showing subjects a range of photographs and asking them to score them on a scale of 1 to 10 to determine how scenic they are, with 10 being the highest score. The results were then correlated with Census data on health from 2011. Ultimately it was discovered that people living in areas which were considered scenic reported a better quality of health. This held true in all settings, including rural, urban and suburban areas.

Although when we think of the word “scenic” we tend to think of greenery, mountains, lakes and natural landscapes, the data showed that both natural environments and man-made structures can be considered scenic and therefore beneficial for health. Many of the high ranking images depicted buildings, including images of London landmarks which are renowned for their beauty such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge. It was the overall aesthetics of the area, rather than the presence of greenery, which seemed to make a positive impact on human health.

The study demonstrates that the design of buildings can play a crucial role in affecting the health of people living in the area. We have always strived to create buildings which are highly functional as well as beautiful, with innovative use of light, space and materials to complement their environment. Our architecture is devoted to sustainability, efficiency, and pleasure, making a positive contribution to landscapes throughout the country. Please contact us if you would like to work with us on a residential or commercial architecture project.