Story

Improving Human Health and Wellness

Focus Area Health and Wellness

Drive-up reception lobby of a midcentury modern boutique hotel.
© Casey Dunn Photography

Human health and wellbeing are paramount in the design of the spaces in which we spend our lives.

Wellbeing building design supports collective physical health in a variety of ways. At Page, we promise design that makes lives better and that includes creating spaces that support people’s lives holistically across all facets.

A core component of any building design is the team’s attention to optimal indoor air quality and material selection. Our commitment to the industry-wide Materials Matter program underpins our guiding criteria of material transparency and health in our design process.

Design should also catalyze practices that promote wellness. Project siting should facilitate multi-modal transit, public spaces should celebrate stairs in lobbies and workplaces should utilize active design strategies.

Since Americans spend a majority of our time indoors, special attention should be paid to features such as access to nature, thermal comfort and lighting control. All these are proven to encourage occupant mindfulness, focus and satisfaction.

We believe buildings are more important for what they do - for the positive impact they make on individual lives - than what they are. That is why we have a solution-driven project focus that results in life-enhancing buildings and places.

Services

  • Academic
  • Architecture
  • Branding / Graphics
  • Building Sciences
  • Civic / Government
  • Commissioning
  • Corporate / Commercial
  • Engineering
  • Healthcare
  • Housing / Hospitality
  • Interiors
  • Strategies / Analytics

Caring for those who have borne the battle

Patient-centric philosophies and mission focus purpose guided the design of the Veterans Affairs Austin Outpatient Clinic, the largest such VA facility at the time of its construction. Interiors were designed to enhance patient care and inspire a sense of pride in caregivers. Light-filled public spaces offer visual connections to the natural environment, and biophilic-inspired horizontal lines are a calming influence on users undergoing stressful situations.

Exterior of two-story glass health care clinic surrounded by garden space
© Casey Dunn Photography
© Casey Dunn Photography
© Casey Dunn Photography

Creating a community in between classes

College is the first time that many young adults are fully responsible for their time, money and energy, but not everyone succeeds. Finding supportive communities has been proven to enhance student grades, positive relationships and attitudes toward school. The design of 2400 Nueces mixed-use student housing project intentionally facilitates a strong sense of community through generous shared and common spaces that celebrate daylight and encourage repeated engagement.

Lobby of the mixed-use student housing facility with reception desk and lounge area.
© Casey Dunn Photography
Elevated swimming pool with view of the Texas Hill Country beyond the deck.
© Casey Dunn Photography
Pedestrians and bicyclists pass by the mixed-use highrise student housing project at 2400 Nueces in Austin.
© Casey Dunn Photography

Immersion, retreat and play

Located on a Texas Hill Country creek bank, the Ruby Hotel repurposes an existing mid-century house and adds two linear buildings to provide 39 jewel-tone rooms that invite guests to unplug and join that era from the moment they enter. Contactless check-in and outdoor circulation maximize freedom and choice for visitors timing their activities. The new buildings are carefully placed to minimize the footprint near Heritage live oak trees while benefiting from their shade throughout the day, maximizing the abundant exterior space for individual relaxation and socializing.

Jewel green room and adjoining bathroom at the Ruby Hotel.
© Casey Dunn Photography
Dual views: 1) from hotel room balcony overlooking the creek and 2) swimming pool surrounded by oak trees
© Casey Dunn Photography

Measured results

  • 4,357 PROJECTS ENCOMPASSING OVER 597 MILLION SQUARE FEET ARE APPLYING WELL-CERTIFIED PRINCIPLES ACROSS 62 COUNTRIES
  • $2,000 PER EMPLOYEE ANNUAL SAVINGS IN OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY COSTS BY INTEGRATING VIEWS TO NATURE
  • 146 PAGERS WITH GREEN BUILDING ACCREDITATIONS
  • 86% SELF-REPORTED STUDENT GPA STABILITY OR IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR FIRST YEAR AT 2400 NUECES

“Our buildings should not only protect us from getting sick but also promote well-being through design that brings out the best in us. The Ruby Hotel, a true collaboration between owner and designers, successfully builds on the site’s natural features like a creek, live oak trees and lush grounds to support mental health for guests and locals alike.”

America E. Alva AIA, LEED AP BD+C, RID, WELL AP

Page Associate / Project Architect