26 Oct 2023

Designing buildings with physical health in mind

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 26 October 2023
The Treehouse Multigenerational Living Building, designed by architect Tye Farrow

Photo: Farrow Partners

Toronto-based architect Tye Farrow has a particular interest in how a space can make us feel.

His designs across North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East have gained recognition for their focus on physical and mental wellbeing.

Tye, who has a Master of Neuroscience Applied to Architecture, often centres his buildings around timber elements and natural sunlight.

He's designed a cancer centre in which many remark doesn't feel at all like a hospital, and several schools, which he says are another crucial area where architecture and health intersect. The World Congress on Design and Health has identified him as a global leader who's making "a significant contribution to health and humanity through the medium of architecture and design".

Tye Farrow has just wrapped up a New Zealand speaking tour, where he discusses the concept of optimising health through environmental enrichment.