We spend up to 90% of our time indoors—at home, at work, in schools, or in public spaces. While it’s commonly assumed that genetics and medical care are the primary determinants of health, research shows that genetics account for only about 10% of health outcomes. The remainder is shaped by environmental and lifestyle factors—elements we caninfluence (Schroeder, 2007).

This makes the built environment—the places where we live, learn, work, and heal—one of the most impactful tools we have for shaping human health and well-being.

The question is no longer how long we live—but how well. On average, people spend the last 20% of their lives in poor health, managing preventable conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. These diseases don’t start at 80—they often begin silently in our 40s and 50s, shaped by how we live, work, and recover.