Human-Building Interaction is a research field that will be explored within the joint laboratory established between our research institute and the Politecnico di Milano, located at the Lecco Campus. Leading this line of investigation is Professor Giuliana Iannaccone, a Full Professor of Architectural Engineering at the esteemed Milanese university and also a member of the Scientific Committee of the think tank “Technology Foresight@POLIMI”, engaged in analyzing the transformative potential of emerging technologies on human health. “In practice, we design spaces based on specific quantitative parameters, such as light levels, temperature, and air quality. Our goal is not only to save energy and manage resource usage but also to ensure that users experience visual, acoustic, and thermal comfort”, she says.
Today, we understand that environment significantly impact people’s well-being.
“Exactly. This belief has been reinforced by the pandemic, which highlighted the importance of proper ventilation in indoor spaces. Simultaneously, we have seen the development of wearable and environmental devices integrated into the so-called ‘Internet of Things’. These systems utilize sensors to monitor individuals’ physiological data, enabling us to gather information about their health and analyze it through artificial intelligence. This work is crucial, especially considering that we now spend 85 to 90 percent of our waking hours indoors”.
Is this how Human Building Interaction was conceived? Could you elaborate on it for us?
“Exactly. It is an interdisciplinary research domain that encompasses various sectors and examines the interaction between three components: the individual, the building, and emerging technologies. Often, this interaction is limited to the relationships between people and technologies or between people and buildings. The joint laboratory with VBRRII will provide us with the opportunity to explore this interaction from multiple perspectives and to integrate skills that are typically dispersed. This will facilitate ongoing dialogue among biologists, bioengineers, designers, and computer scientists. It will be cutting-edge research. Furthermore, closely monitoring the development of new technologies in the digital realm will enable us to gather valuable information and establish guidelines that will help us design spaces that are increasingly conducive to health”.
Will this also involve exploring new areas in Rehabilitation Medicine?
“Certainly. Dr. Franco Molteni and I often emphasize that today, the primary environment for patient care is the patients themselves. However, in the future, we aim to personalize physical spaces so that patients can reside in homes or offices that are safe and conducive to their health conditions. These environments will enable them to engage in all their activities, including rehabilitation, social interactions, and even professional tasks”.
How will you create tailored spaces for individuals?
“We begin with the understanding that people with different abilities require distinct environments. We will analyze individuals’ behaviors using tools such as virtual and augmented reality, which allow us to predict behavior within various spaces. We have already made progress in this area. For instance, sometime ago, we collaborated with mechanical engineers from the Lecco Campus to simulate the movements of a person with cataracts within a specific environment. Our findings revealed that the optimal lighting conditions and arrangement of objects that benefit a healthy individual are critical for someone with this condition”.
Will this design revolution also impact hospitals?
“Yes, after all, artificial intelligence is already transforming the design of all buildings, which includes their management and automation. There are offices where customized environmental conditions have been created — ‘bubbles’ with tailored comfort. The system directs individuals to available desks, which adjust in terms of position, light quality, and temperature according to their preferences. In the healthcare sector, effective data management allows us to simulate the flow of individuals, enabling us to optimize their movement, even in emergency situations. However, we must exercise caution regarding privacy and the underlying motivations for these advancements. It is essential to monitor data and control the environment to benefit users, rather than for other purposes”.
Can you provide a preview of what rehabilitation spaces will look like in the future?
“So far, we have designed spaces primarily for human beings, but we recognize that one of the most significant influences on design today will be the integration of robotics, including robotic assistants and humanoid robots, which will fundamentally transform care environments. This transformation will not only affect rehabilitation hospitals but also private homes, as rehabilitation increasingly occurs within the home due to the aging population. The existing building stock will need to be adapted to meet these new requirements, as all reference values will change. Additionally, this evolution applies to work environments, as the goal is to empower individuals to perform any activity. Safety is also a critical consideration, necessitating personalized evacuation plans for individuals with reduced mobility”.
Can technology serve to enhance interaction between individuals and their environment?
“Sure, it is a crucial aspect of human-machine interaction. Environmental sensors and wearable devices empower individuals to be active participants rather than passive subjects. Monitoring systems can identify specific physiological conditions or stress levels that elevate the risk of falls, for instance. Additionally, these systems can detect falls in real-time, triggering an alarm”.
Is there a risk that advanced technology will ‘depersonalize’ environments, stripping them of their warmth?
“We must strive to integrate technology into spaces in a manner that feels non-intrusive. It should remain unobtrusive while still being able to prompt users with alerts regarding their health conditions and potential risks, thereby encouraging healthier behaviors. Additionally, this aspect must be personalized, as it has been noted that individuals do not respond uniformly to such interactions”.
In what way?
“There are people who feel comfortable with passive interaction, adjusting their behavior based on input from technology, while others prefer greater independence. It is essential to assess on a case-by-case basis how intrusive the technology should be—whether it should strongly encourage users to take specific actions or simply inform them about their circumstances, allowing them the freedom to make choices without undue pressure. This approach also emphasizes the individuality of each person”.
Can technology alone create functional spaces that promote our well-being?
“No, it is also essential to consider the role of nature, with which we human beings share an intrinsic relationship that has diminished over time due to evolution. Various studies indicate that the natural environment not only improves health conditions but also reduces stress and enhances people’s resilience—their ability to respond positively to changes that occur during healing or rehabilitation processes. This concept is known as ‘biophilic design’. Nature should be integrated into care environments; however, to enhance the feeling of well-being, even a window with a view of greenery or an artificially created natural element can be sufficient. For instance, there are shading systems that simulate the shade of trees, creating a sensation of coolness for those who observe them”.
In addition to medical equipment, will we see an increasing presence of plants in hospitals?
“I hope so, because they enhance the quality of the environment. Plants introduce beneficial microbiomes that improve air quality and serve as natural filters against pathogens. In this regard, they can serve as an alternative to mechanical ventilation systems, which, if not properly cleaned and filtered, may become counterproductive. Not by chance, in the joint laboratory, we will create a ‘Healing Garden’, an indoor garden inspired by the principles of biophilia”.
Will the joint laboratory with the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute also serve as a space dedicated to training?
“Certainly. It will assist us in defining new areas of interdisciplinary research and developing training pathways for future professionals. In an ever-changing climate context, despite ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact, it will become increasingly important to prioritize people’s well-being. In 15 to 20 years, we may find ourselves in a situation where indoor environments in buildings are even more crucial to our health”.
