Isamal Zorrilla
Healthy Homes

The purpose of the project is to develop salutogenic models that can promote health in the home environment. Healthy Homes (HH) will provide an interior design service aimed at increasing well-being and health.

The purpose of this applied research is to assist a patient and the same health care practitioner, such as a Spitex nurse, in their treatment and therapy by providing the patient with a high-quality home environment. Recognizing the salutogenic demands and resources of patients suffering from affective disorders such as depression, making their individuality visible, and providing them a comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful home environment.

In this design research, I applied methods with an exploratory approach to become familiar with various sources of information and different narratives. The state of the art in the field and the preliminary research led me to the questions: What design interventions in the home environment do patients suffering from affective disorders need?

Which environmental resources in the interior design can support a patient dealing with affective disorders?

This project has various nuances, also involving itself to the mental health provider, being an ally to ensure a healthy home ready to respond to the needs of the patient. HH services based in evidence-based design research (EBD) aim to close the gap between theory and practice. By addressing health promotion and salutogenic resources, HH will contribute to the development of salutogenic understanding through interior design.

HH will provide scientific findings on the design of the built environment providing a basis for further research about possible applications of the Sense of Coherence in a physical space.