Ruixie Yang
Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, Master of Architecture︎
#HealthbyDesign is ...
Health is not merely the absence of disease but a comprehensive state that encompasses physical, psychological, and social adaptability. It is reflected both in objective data provided by professional institutions such as hospitals and health centers, and in the subjective perceptions of individual self-awareness. In most cases, maintaining health requires continuous discipline and reflection, often involving the overcoming of human tendencies toward laziness and short-term gratification. For example, healthy eating means exercising restraint in the face of a dazzling array of industrial food products—rejecting those that are tasty and convenient but filled with chemical additives that may damage the liver and kidneys in the long run. Healthy routines require the willpower to put down the phone at night, resist the addictive pull of short videos and dopamine surges, and secure adequate sleep. A healthy body relies on finding the right form of exercise, and through regular practice, overcoming inertia and fatigue to gain both physical and mental vitality. Meanwhile, mental health is built through continuous engagement with the world, gradually achieving self-understanding and balance, while also bravely facing and healing past traumas. Thus, health is not simply a passive physiological state, but an active choice and a lifelong practice that requires consistent effort and maintenance.
Design is a way of solving problems and improving life. It begins with clear goals and centers on the user or subject, proceeding through research, ideation, iterative dialogue, and eventual implementation. A good design is not only about functionality and aesthetics, but also about user experi-
ence and broader social impact. When it comes to health, the role of design is often profound yet subtle. In my daily life, I have experienced how design directly influences health: the air-conditioning settings in a library determine whether the learning environment is healthy and comfortable; urban road planning dictates whether citizens can exercise in a clean and safe environment, rather than jogging while inhaling car exhaust; food design concerns not only nutritional content but also the psychological enjoyment of eating; and the planning of transportation systems and campus layouts affects whether
people remain sedentary or are able to move and exercise with ease. From these observations, it becomes clear that design is not merely about form-making or technical execution. It profoundly shapes our relationship with health. Good design enables people to maintain well-being more effortlessly, while poor design may quietly drain both body and mind. Ultimately, design is a cultural and social act that guides lifestyles and deeply influences collective
health.
Feature Project
︎Prosthetic Rental and Rehabilitation Hub
︎STRESSFREE