It’s true. There is an
apartment building in the Bronx designed, specifically to combat obesity. This
brand new, 8-story building with 63 units, known as The Melody, offers a gym
with floor to ceiling sunlight, a backyard with brightly colored exercise equipment
for adults and children, and flights of stairs with bright green railings
surrounded by artwork and jazz playing in the stairwells. Note that there's no
music in the elevators. :)
The developer made these design choices with
a specific focus on exercise and health. By making the stairs and outside areas more
inviting, residents may forgo the elevator and take the stairs... a simple, healthy way to increase daily activity. If residents still need a reminder to
take the stairs, a sign next to the elevator reads:
Wondering when apartments
like this will make it to the Boston area? Not clear but, the New York City
departments of Design and Construction, and its partners, released a 135-page
guide called Active
Design Guidelines, on the construction of buildings that would encourage
exercise and mobility. Builders do not receive tax credits or
compensation for following the guidelines outlined, but doing so can earn them
points in a rating system administered by the United States Green Building
Council called LEED, for Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design.
The Melody opens its doors
to residents this summer, and more than 40 units have already been sold.
Obviously, it is not the apartment building alone that will make for healthier
residents. We have to make healthier lifestyle choices, but surrounding
ourselves with a supportive environment can certainly hep!
How do you make your home
or community a healthy environment? Comment here or leave me a message a Facebook!
“A person’s health can be
judged by which they take two of at a time, pills or stairs.”
Wondering when apartments
like this will make it to the Boston area? Not clear but, the New York City
departments of Design and Construction, and its partners, released a 135-page
guide called Active
Design Guidelines, on the construction of buildings that would encourage
exercise and mobility. Builders do not receive tax credits or
compensation for following the guidelines outlined, but doing so can earn them
points in a rating system administered by the United States Green Building
Council called LEED, for Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design.
The Melody opens its doors
to residents this summer, and more than 40 units have already been sold.
Obviously, it is not the apartment building alone that will make for healthier
residents. We have to make healthier lifestyle choices, but surrounding
ourselves with a supportive environment can certainly hep!
How do you make your home
or community a healthy environment? Comment here or leave me a message a Facebook!
