design:retail - January 2018 - 26

the visual eye

026

Design Wellness

PETER-TOLIN BAKER
VISUAL MERCHANDISING SPECIALIST
P-T B DESIGN SERVICES

ptb@ptbdesignservices.com

HE NEW YEAR provides

a timely opportunity for
renewed attention to one's
health and wellbeing-
and maintaining a mindful,
balanced approach to home, work and
play. Wellness in today's world can
mean many things to many people. For
some, it relates to medical and health
services; for others, it is an expression
of a positive lifestyle or spiritual mindfulness. Wellness has even been touted
as the new luxury-with pampered,
healthy living being today's aspirational
status symbol.
In essence, wellness is defined as the
state of being in good health: feeling
happy while indulging in activities that promote
wellbeing. Today, it helps drive the immense health
and wellness industry-one that is expected to grow
to $1 trillion in business by 2019. For retail environments, integrating wellness into design practices
has helped drive positive, creative changes on how
and what is designed, leading to better design and
healthier environments.
Early wellness design efforts focused on reducing the use of hazardous materials, improving air
quality, energy efficiency and toughening building
codes. This collective effort evolved to include ADA
compliance, sustainability and environmentally
conscious design, with the emphasis on resource
management, local sourcing and reducing one's
carbon footprint. Green building certifications
(e.g. LEED) were introduced in the late 1990s and
have grown worldwide, with a significant portion
of all domestic construction sites now operating as
green construction.
History provides ample evidence of our interest in the influence that design and presentation
can have on health and wellness. The 4,000-yearold practice of Feng Shui evolved out of China as
a practice of arranging one's environment to enhance one's life. With a focus on the five elements
of fire, earth, metal, water and wood, along with

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associated colors, cardinal points, bagua energy
mapping-and such noted wisdoms as "live with
what you like and simplify"-Feng Shui continues
to be an influential practice today.
Vastu Shastra, as with Feng Shui, is an ancient
sacred body of knowledge-revealing the connection between humans and their dwellings. This
Hindu "science of architecture" focuses on human
wellbeing, living in harmony with nature, and the
universal flow of energy and life force (Prana). Similar to Feng Shui, but not exact, are the noted five
main elements-air, fire, water, earth and space.
In Japan, the concept of shibumi is integrated
into Zen philosophy. Meaning, in essence, understated elegance, designed well, effortless beauty,
shibumi correlates with the seven aesthetic
principals that lead to Wabi-Sabi (acceptance of
transience and imperfection), including austerity,
simplicity, naturalness, subtlety, asymmetry, break
from routine and tranquility-principles that an
experienced designer should be attentive to.
And on a less rigorous side, we have the current
embrace of Hygge (pronounced "hooga"), the
Danish practice of creating a warm atmosphere,
enjoying the good things in life with good
people; the art of living cozily. With the emphasis on comfort, it's no wonder that Hygge

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aesthetics and the associated homey
styling and cozy accoutrements have
sparked such interest.
Consider how the following wellness
best practices may already be integrated
into your own design habits and projects.
* Observe: Be the client or customer.
Start outside the place of business and
check the arrival and entry from their
point of view. Step inside and identify
the primary focus and secondary focus
of the space. Consider the navigational
route throughout the space; avoid
energy-blocking deadends and encourage exploration.
* Breathe: Be attentive to the quality of
air-is it stale, scented or fresh air?
* Listen: Plan appropriate sound absorbing materials and music/audio systems.
* Light: Incorporate soft, natural quality versus
harsh and bright.
* Materials & Finishes: Use color that best
correlates with the intended mood of the environment. Select flooring materials comfortable
for standing and walking. Use natural fabrics
and finishes. For maintenance, consider ease
in care and non-toxic cleaning, and address
repairs promptly. Use green plants and fresh flowers strategically for energy boosting and limiting
energy dead zones.
* Minimalism: Limit décor and ornamentation.
Edit, remove clutter and keep organized. Hide
electronic equipment and cables.
* Shape & Form: Use rounded edges versus sharp
corners for display forms and fixtures.
* Change: Refresh with new product, remerchandising and flexible fixtures. Open your mind and
don't be too serious-have fun!
* Slow Down: Don't rush!
PETER-TOLIN BAKER IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH DESIGN AND
CONTENT SOLUTIONS FOR RETAILERS, BRANDED EVENTS AND
EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENTS AS OWNER OF PTB DESIGN
SERVICES AND AS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO DESIGN:RETAIL.

Illustration by SCORPP/SHUTTERSTOCK

http://www.DESIGNRETAILONLINE.COM http://www.GLOBALSHOP.ORG

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of design:retail - January 2018