Healthy Living Starts with Design
**Guest Blog by Laura McComb, AMLI Residential Sustainability Associate**
How many steps did you take today? If you live along sidewalks you’ve likely taken more steps than if you live along interstates. While that may seem obvious, the design of our cities and neighborhoods have a much bigger impact on our behavior than they are credited for. Design can influence where you go, what you eat, and who you see. From urban design to building design, infrastructure plays a huge role in our health, as well as the health of our Earth. AMLI has long understood the importance of thoughtful design and has committed to developing sustainability-focused communities that achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver or higher certification and provide a healthy-living environment for our residents. This involves not only better environmental practices but also better design for residents’ health and living experience. We have recently expanded our focus to look at how our building design impacts public health through Fitwel, a system that aligns building design to support health. AMLI received the first multifamily Fitwel certification in Atlanta at AMLI Ponce Park.
AMLI Ponce Park is located in the Old 4th Ward and sits alongside the Historic 4th Ward Park, Ponce City Market, and the Atlanta BeltLine. AMLI Ponce Park is certified at LEED Platinum and possesses numerous sustainable features, which include resident wellness components like healthy building materials, smoke-free living, and a fresh air ventilation system with premium air filters. When the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the General Services Administration developed the Fitwel rating system it seemed like a natural complement to the LEED health features throughout AMLI Ponce Park. Fitwel certification was developed to combat chronic disease by using design to improve public health through subtle behavioral changes. Last year, AMLI Ponce Park earned Fitwel certific
ation based on a number of health benefits it offers its residents.
AMLI Ponce Park helps provide residents an active lifestyle. Residents can find plenty of opportunities to get their steps in either on the BeltLine or in the walkable O4W neighborhood.
There are also opportunities for active commuting with nearby bus stops and bike share stations. The community’s staircases were designed to encourage resident use with high visibility locations and welcoming features. The 24/7 fitness center provides an attractive space for cardio and strength training. Other common areas are also dedicated to resident wellness. The two courtyards provide relaxing spaces for residents to escape into the outdoors, and a view of greenery from every apartment provides an oasis at home. The community’s location also provides plenty of healthy food options. Residents are steps from several restaurants offering healthy menus, a farmers market, and the local grocery store. If that isn’t close enough, AMLI’s Luxer One package room gives residents 24/7 access to package pick-up, which makes fresh food deliveries stress-free.
Supporting healthy decisions and removing systemic barriers from a green and healthy lifestyle are key parts of what has made AMLI communities successful. As we continue to develop apartment homes for future residents, designing buildings that improve the lives of our residents and have a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhoods will be an increasingly important priority for AMLI.
