2024 - WELL-BEING BOOTH

WELL-BEING BOOTH
THE IDEA:
The problem of insufficient daylight exposure is a great concern nowadays. Due to overcast days predominating in central Europe, people are at high risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is a condition that primarily affects people during fall and winter. Because SAD occurs in relation to specific seasons, it is likely connected to circadian rhythms which regulate many of our body’s functions. Insufficient daylight exposure and shorter days are considered to trigger a chemical shift in the brain that results in depressive symptoms. If getting more sunlight is not an option, a specific amount of time each day in front of a specific light source can be beneficial.

HISTORY:
As an answer to this problem, we decided to reuse K67 kiosks made in the 1970s and wildly popular by the 1990s. They originated from Yugoslavia and could be found, for example, in the USA, Japan, New Zealand, or Poland. They served as catering outlets, bus shelters, and even telephone booths, among other purposes. Now forgotten, yet still effective, the kiosks are waiting to be reused.

CONSTRUCTION AND LIGHTING SOLUTION
The prototype was constructed out of five load-bearing elements and a roofing, also a uniform shelf system. The concept behind it all was that these modules could be connected to one another. To do so, the modules would create corridors and personal spaces by either removing any walls or adding glazing in their place. Windows are equipped with semi-transparent glass which allows the people inside to feel comfortable without isolating them completely from the exterior. The Well-being Booth is equipped with a number of interchangeable LED panels located on the walls and the ceiling. They are connected to a sensor placed outside which detects the illuminance level, brightness, and temperature of the sunlight. For the booth to be self-sufficient, it is connected to solar panels placed on the roof which power light fixtures, outlets, and air conditioning.

TAKE A BREAK
Besides health benefits, the Well-being Booth is a place where people can take a break and relax. Inside there is a comfortable, movable chair providing a proper place to rest and an outlet to charge devices. For the thermal comfort of the user, air conditioning adjusts the temperature inside to the weather outside, so the booth is also useful in summer for shelter from excessive sun exposure.

ARE YOU ABOVE AVERAGE?
Vitamin D is crucial for our well-being as it supports our immune and nervous systems. Its deficiency causes many physical problems as well as impacts our mental health. Common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Muscle weakness, muscle aches, and cramps
• Bone pain

USAGE
The booth activates when the user walks inside and is connected to an application available to download on mobile devices. It conducts a short survey to meet the personal needs of the user. Based on the collected data, it calculates the required time to be spent in the booth and adjusts the specifications of the light fixtures inside. There is also an option to track the user’s vitamin D levels and set a desired goal before starting the exposure session. For users with no access to mobile phones, there is an option of manually adjusting the parameters inside the kiosk.