Sustainability is not limited to technical innovations or political strategies—it must be tangible and effective in people’s everyday lives. The design of environmental factors such as space, materials, light, and color plays a central role in this: It has been proven to influence health, well-being, orientation, job satisfaction, and the lifespan of products.
In my presentation, I will demonstrate how evidence-based environmental design not only communicates sustainability but also brings it to life. Pilot projects from the healthcare sector and industry provide empirical evidence that thoughtfully designed environments have measurable effects—ranging from reduced sick days and absenteeism to increased well-being and resource-efficient product strategies.
This makes it clear: Sustainability is neither an abstract ideal nor an aesthetic end in itself. It must be guided by quality criteria that people can tangibly experience and that have a societal impact. The lecture offers a new perspective on sustainability communication, in which design serves as a bridge between scientific evidence, cultural narratives, and everyday experience.
Lecture: “Shaping Sustainability: How Environmental Factors Shape Our Well-Being, Behavior, and Resources” by Prof. Dr. Axel Buether , November 27, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Registration and link to the 2025/26 HumboldtN Lecture Series from the organizer
