BY JOSH CORMAN

THE SPA COMMUNITY HAS LONG UN- DERSTOOD that there is a direct link between the atmosphere of a given space and the physical and emotional responses elicited in the people who occupy that space . The old spa stereotypes of tinkly music , water features and soft lighting are , after all , rooted in the reality that guests seeking relief from stress will have an easier time finding that relief in an environment that creates feelings of peacefulness and relaxation .

But in the last several years , the industry ’ s understanding of that connection ’ s true potency has grown by leaps and bounds . That understanding is increasingly reflected in the innovative design elements many spas incorporate , as well as the increased attention to all the ways in which human wellness is affected by our built spaces .“ A few years ago , most people were very surprised to learn that the average person spends 90 % of their life indoors , and that our environment is the largest determinant of our health — more than genetics , medical care and lifestyle choices combined ,” says Tori Shepherd of the International WELL Building Institute ( IWBI ). Shepherd adds that events like the COVID-19 pandemic have people more attuned than ever to the ways in which buildings contribute to their well-being .“ People are now incredibly aware of the connection

between their health and the spaces they occupy ,” she says .

This rise in awareness has not been lost on Clive Pohl , whose Lexington , Kentucky , firm PRP Architects , has seen a marked uptick in its clients ’ focus on issues such as human health , resource efficiency and the health of the planet .

“ What I ’ m thrilled about is that , increasingly , people are coming to me and my firm for those kinds of things . I ’ m guardedly optimistic that there is a trend underway .” In addition , Pohl notes that organizations like IWBI are helping push that trend along while also expanding the public ’ s considera-

“ What we ’ re really doing is reminding humans that we are part of nature and not separate from it . There are so many ways that we express that in architecture .”

— CLIVE POHL

PRP Architects strive to create structures , like this treehouse , that blend built space and natural environments .

34 PULSE ^■ APRIL 2021