Designing buildings with physical health in mind

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 is another crucial point where architecture and health intersect. The World Congress on Design and Healthhas identified him as a global leader who 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.