Active workplace: Architectural interventions for reducing sedentary behavior and promoting stair use

Abstract

The task of creating active buildings largely depends on the integration of active design strategies into the building’s circulation system especially its stairs and elevators—and its program. Despite the implementation of active design guidelines for promoting stair use, there is a lack of objective measures to assess their effectiveness. This study provides an empirical analysis of active design strategies utilizing self-reported questionnaires and spatial analysis using DepthmapX software in seven office buildings in Erbil, Iraq (N = 240 employees). The findings indicate a minimal inclination towards using stairs (M = 1.24), and a higher inclination toward using the elevator (M=1.46). Although participants reported high satisfaction with stair design (M > 3.5), the findings revealed no significant association between stair design and frequency of use (p > 0.05). This study found that the outcome is attributable to the spatial configuration, namely the absence of social and recreational facilities throughout various floors of the building. The result of the self-reported questionnaire is supported by objective spatial analysis, which indicates positive significant correlation between spatial configuration in terms of connectivity, accessibility, visibility, and stair use. Based on the findings, it is advised that efforts to encourage stair use should go beyond just concentrating on the architecture of the staircase. Enhancing spatial configuration by improving connectivity, accessibility, and visibility, as well as incorporating leisure areas and the strategic allocation of the building program across various levels appears, to be a beneficial strategy in promoting stair use and reducing Sedentary behavior (SB).