BRE wellbeing research paper competition
This article provides access to entries to the 2014 research paper competition by --BRE Group and UBM called to investigate the intrinsic link between buildings and the wellbeing of those who occupy them.
The competition was held to showcase current research and understanding of the subject, as part of a research programme delivered in partnership by BRE and publishers UBM Built Environment. A panel of independent experts reviewed the entries and selected the best papers for domestic and non-domestic buildings.
Entries included:
- Daylight benefits in healthcare buildings.
- Integrated modelling, simulation and visualisation (MSV) for sustainable built healing environments (BHEs).
- A measure of net well-being that incorporates the effect of housing environmental impacts.
- Well-being and regeneration: Reflections from Carpenters Estate.
- Anatomy of low carbon retrofits: evidence from owner-occupied superhomes.
- The impact of the design of the Psychiatric inpatient facility on perceptions of Carer wellbeing.
- Creating strong communities – measuring social sustainability in new housing development.
- The design of extra care housing for older people and its impact on wellbeing: The East Sussex perspective.
- The daylight factor.
- Ubiquitous sensors to assess people’s energy consumption and wellbeing in domestic environments.
- Airtightness of energy efficient buildings.
- Adapting 1965-1980 semi-detached dwellings in the UK to reduce summer overheating and the effect of the 2010 Building Regulations.
- Transitioning to eco-cities: Reducing carbon emissions while improving urban welfare.
- A case study of adopting BIT-Kit: A method uncovering the impact buildings have on people.
- The real cost of poor housing.
Winner of the best non-domestic paper category was Dr Lesley McIntyre,research assistant at Dundee University, for her case study on the Building Interactions Toolkit (BIT-Kit): a method uncovering the impact buildings have on people.
The best domestic paper prize was presented to joint winners Tim Dixon, professor of sustainable futures in the built environment at the University of Reading, and Saffron Woodcraft, founding director of Social Life. Their submission covered their work on Creating strong communities – measuring social sustainability in new housing development.
Lesley McIntyre and Tim Dixon joined BRE group research director, Deborah Pullen, at Ecobuild on 4 March 2014 and presented their papers during the Designing for Wellbeing seminar in the Design theatre.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Access and inclusion in the built environment: policy and guidance.
- Access consultant.
- Accessible London.
- BRE articles.
- Changing lifestyles
- Designing for employee wellbeing.
- Equality act.
- Health and wellbeing impacts of natural and artificial lighting.
- Inclusive design.
- Light pollution.
- Sustainability.
- TG10 2016 At a glance, wellbeing.
- Wellbeing.
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”

























