Influential Factors in Window Design on the Mental Health of Older Adults, a Case Study of Sistan Region

EasyChair Preprint no. 13250

Abstract

More than 90% of people’s lives unfold within the confines of buildings, underscoring the pivotal role of house design quality in the health and well-being of its inhabitants. Research indicates that features like adequate daylight, proper ventilation, and desirable views in housing design can simultaneously bolster mental and physical health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health holistically as “a state of complete physical, cognitive, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Studies in health-related fields underscore the crucial role that windows play in buildings. For older adults, windows can serve as a gateway to the world, particularly for those who spend significant time at home. This research focuses on identifying indicators that affect the mental health of older individuals and examining how windows can enhance their mental health in the Sistan region. The research methodology involved a comprehensive review of texts and articles alongside the design of a questionnaire, which was developed using the Laoche method based on expert opinions. Analyses were conducted using the SECA analysis, a multi-objective nonlinear programming model. The research findings reveal that among all components involved in window design affecting the mental health improvement of elderly individuals in the Sistan region, the view and landscape exert the most significant influence. In contrast, window shape has a lesser impact.

Keyphrases: Elderly, mental health, Sistan, window

@Booklet{EasyChair:13250,
  author = {Nima Ettehadi and Masi Mohammadi and Shore Shahnoori and Yaser Shahbazi},
  title = {Influential Factors in Window Design on the Mental Health of Older Adults, a Case Study of Sistan Region},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint no. 13250},

  year = {EasyChair, 2024}}