One in three Americans, an estimated 83.6 million adults, suffers from sleep deprivation getting less than the recommended seven hours of minimum nightly sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, mental distress, coronary heart disease and early death. 1 A prescribed work day and pressure to meet deadlines lead to impaired sleep quality and duration. As the rate of sleep deprivation increases sleep patterns should be reconsidered. Before the 20th century, the light-dark cycle of the earth's rotation dictated daily activity patterns. Modern technology increased the availability of electricity. Light-dark cycles became individually controlled and people gained the ability to stay awake through the night. Social pressures and the rise of technology further contribute to an overall decrease in sleep. The pressure to meet deadlines, participate in social activities and more have led people to impair sleep quality and duration. Operation on individual schedules often results in people cutting back on sleep if they lack flexibility. Innovations in technology advance workplace trends that promote remote communications and flexible schedules, increasing productivity and employee well-being. These trends require an architectural response centered on the needs of the occupants. Through the use of technology and design the everyday work-live environment adjusts to incorporate and encourage sleep based on internal rhythms. This thesis explores how an office building can transform to enable fluidity of activities according to individual 24 hour cycles to create a productive workplace. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_94314 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Contributors | Neu, Rachel (author), Roser-Gray, Cordula (Thesis advisor), Tulane School of Architecture Architecture (Degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | electronic, electronic, pages: 72 |
| Rights | Embargo, No embargo |
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