How community, mindfulness, and thoughtful design of physical spaces enhance human flourishing in a technological world
While economic growth and technological advancement have increased convenience, they have not necessarily led to greater happiness or improved mental health. A holistic approach to well-being goes beyond GDP and productivity, encompassing emotional, social, physical, and spiritual dimensions.
Discussions from Fellows at the in-person session of the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network from April 27 to May 2, 2025 highlighted that well-being is a multidimensional pursuit requiring attention to both individual and collective needs. One key challenge they noted is the erosion of community life, which contributes significantly to loneliness and mental health challenges. Building strong community ties and a sense of belonging is a way to combat this. Well-being is greatly enhanced when individuals feel supported, seen, and valued by their communities.
Equally important is integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and empathy into education and public discourse. Well-being should be nurtured from childhood, through practices that build resilience and self-awareness. Institutions, especially schools and workplaces, must adopt models that prioritize people’s emotional and psychological needs, not just performance metrics.
Fellows emphasized how the shaping of our physical spaces matters just as much. Cities that prioritize diversity, accessibility, and inclusive design foster healthier communities. Public spaces that encourage interaction and cultural engagement help nurture a sense of belonging, supporting both individual and collective well-being.
The group agreed that enhancing well-being means restoring balance to how we work, how we relate to each other, and how we care for ourselves and the planet. A well society is one where purpose, peace, and human connection are valued as much as profit and productivity.
Designing Spaces That Enhance Well-Being
“Space is not passive. Every space is a silent conversation that either uplifts or diminishes our well-being,” noted Salzburg Global Fellow Ashish Pandya.
Ashish, a consultant working at the intersection of sustainability, well-being, and transformative technology, emphasized that the process begins at “level zero” – the point at which the user needs are first assessed. From there, the design journey unfolds holistically, encompassing physical, emotional, and social dimensions. “It starts with intent – with asking how a space can restore, support, and respond to the people in it,” he reflected.
A key concept Ashish highlighted is “biophilia” – the innate human connection to nature. “Too often, we build environments that block out nature entirely,” he shared, explaining that the “lack of greenery, natural light, or even outdoor views can dull our senses and disconnect us from ourselves, leading to mental fatigue and affecting our productivity and creativity.” To address this problem, he is exploring how technology – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), can help simulate natural experiences in constrained environments. “In our project Senses, we are experimenting with ‘artificial windows’ – digital installations that stream real-time visuals and ambient sounds from outdoor environments, such as forests and lakes,” he said. “The idea,” he explained, “is not to replace nature, but to recreate sensory richness for people in dense, enclosed workplaces.”
Ashish also spoke about the importance of lighting that aligns with human circadian rhythms – our body’s on and off switch. “It’s not just about lighting a space, it is about how light affects our brain and behavior,” he noted. “For example, 500 lux can enhance focus during working hours, while dimmer lighting around 200 lux can help transition into rest and relaxation. Design should flex with our biological needs.”
For Ashish, designing for well-being is not just about aesthetics or performance, but it is about creating environments that are responsive, restorative, and rooted in care. His work is a reminder that the most advanced spaces are not only smart and green, they are also deeply human.
Ashish Pandya is a Lead Consultant for Sustainable Spaces at ideaship Inc., based in Chiba, Japan. He specialises in sustainability, workplace well-being, project and process management, strategy, and applied research. Leveraging his expertise in corporate sustainability and well-being initiatives, Ashish contributes to creating safer and resilient built environments that enhance the triple bottom line, promote environmental stewardship, and improve ESG performance.
Ashish is a member of the fourth cohort of the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network, which connects and empowers outstanding change-makers in two countries on the forefront of technological progress in Asia – India and Japan. The program offers a platform for those working towards social good to maximize the benefits of various forms of new technologies.
