In the list of discussions that need to take place when it comes to Malta’s built environment, this one is surely at the top, since, as it has so nicely been put, “although we design buildings, buildings ultimately shape us”. Organised by UM Faculty for Built Environment Department of Environmental Design and Living Future Institute Europe, an event featuring industry experts will take place exploring themes of this nature.
Supportive or harmful?
We spend 90% of our time indoors, and this hybrid workshop will investigate the relationship between the built environment and indoor environmental quality. The aim will be to determine how this environment can be either supportive or harmful to one’s health, with “health” encapsulating physical, mental and social well-being.
One such example would be how work environments reduce or add indoor air pollutants, increase co-worker interaction or even encourage physical activity. Simply put, positive changes to the workplace environment are likely to result in healthier and happier employees. Of course, the reverse would come to pass if adequate measures are not taken.
The event itself
Open to Master Students, MSc graduates and professionals architects and engineers of up to 45 years old, attendees will be introduced to the current state of art research about indoor Environmental Quality and the business case for health and well-being as a result of the 4-year Horizon funded project RESTORE.
The workshop outcomes will be a set of proposals from the working groups gathered in teams with the aim of delivering scenarios of designing indoor environments that enhances health and well-being. Project proposals will also be submitted, although a gap analysis on where Malta stands in terms of indoor environmental quality policies will also be held.
The training school will take place across four days, from the 11th until the 15th of October, at the University of Malta Valletta Campus. Interested parties can register here.
