Creating environments that support accessibility, comfort, and belonging 

The Health lens explores how the physical environment influences human comfort, accessibility, and long term wellbeing. This includes air quality, daylight and glare, acoustics, thermal comfort, ADA access, and the psychological experience of moving through public buildings. For cultural institutions, health and wellbeing also includes a sense of belonging and equitable access for all audiences. 

Sections:

The project team spent limited but focused time on this lens before the grant was canceled. The intent was not to certify the institutions, but to create a framework that would allow each institution and the broader EcoDistrict to measure and improve wellbeing outcomes over time. 

Current Conditions and Recent Progress 

Nelson-Atkins has active efforts underway that already support the health and wellbeing goals of this lens. 

 Recent Progress 

  • Achieved WELL Silver certification for the full museum campus. 
  • WELL performance testing confirmed strong performance in indoor air quality, lighting balance, thermal comfort management, and water quality. 
  • Environmental monitoring for preservation already supports human comfort through stable temperatures and humidity levels. 
  • Daylight, shading, and glare control systems in the Bloch Building help maintain visual comfort for visitors and staff. 

Current Gaps 

  • Pre WELL baseline data for certain spaces is not fully documented, making long term comparison difficult. 
  • Some older mechanical rooms and staff only spaces have lower thermal consistency. 
  • Visitor pathfinding and wayfinding would benefit from updates that support neurodiverse navigation. 
  • Outdoor circulation routes, especially those connecting to the EcoDistrict, have inconsistent lighting, sidewalk conditions, and microclimate exposure. 

Benchmarks and Reference Systems 

The project referenced several established frameworks during assessment. These act as measuring sticks for future progress without requiring immediate certification. 

Reference Systems 

  • WELL Building Standard 
  • Fitwel 
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (2010 Standards) 
  • ASHRAE comfort guidelines 
  • EPA Indoor Air Quality guidelines 
  • Local public health recommendations 

Early comparison showed that both institutions perform strongest in indoor air quality and water quality. Physical accessibility and user experience require more attention and represent high impact, achievable improvements. 

Findings from Staff Workshops 

During initial staff conversations across both institutions, several themes emerged that shaped this lens. 

  • WELL certification raised internal expectations for continuity and future improvements. 
  • Some spaces used by staff rather than visitors are not yet aligned with WELL performance expectations. 
  • Visitor engagement teams noted that acoustics in certain galleries influence comfort and crowding dynamics. 
  • Staff desire more consistent thermal comfort, especially during extreme weather events. 
  • Certain workspaces lack appropriate noise control or acoustic separation. 
  • Many users find older circulation pathways confusing or difficult to navigate. 
  • Outdoor comfort and safety vary significantly across the district. 
  • Staff are interested in clearer health protocols during climate emergencies, such as poor air quality days or heat waves. 

Opportunity Areas for Improvement 

This section identifies actionable opportunity areas that can be assessed and implemented over time. 

Indoor Environment 

  • Establish continuous IAQ monitoring in select spaces for both institutions to align with WELL performance tracking. 
  • Create seasonal thermal comfort maps that identify hot and cold zones. 
  • Complete lighting audits to address glare, low level lighting, and unbalanced color temperature. 

Accessibility 

  • Evaluate outdoor circulation paths between main buildings and the sculpture park to improve universal access. 
  • Expand accessible seating and resting points in key circulation areas. 

Psychological Wellbeing and Belonging 

  • Incorporate views to nature, planting, or restorative spaces where feasible. 
  • Improve break areas and outdoor seating for staff. 
  • Develop a district wide language for belonging, access, and visitor support that aligns with institutional missions. 
  • Explore partnerships with UMKC and KCAI for wayfinding, placemaking, and user experience research. 

Repeatable Evaluation Method 

To create consistent measurement tools for this lens, the project began outlining a repeatable method that can be used by any district institution. 

  1. Document baseline indoor environment performance including air quality, temperature stability, daylight control, and acoustics. 
  2. Review ADA access conditions and create an annually updated accessibility plan. 
  3. Survey staff and visitor comfort at least once per year to capture seasonal variation. 
  4. Map indoor and outdoor hot spots for discomfort or inaccessibility. 
  5. Identify low cost interventions such as signage, shading devices, movable seating, or programmatic adjustments. 
  6. Remeasure comfort metrics after improvements and track long term trends. 

District Scale Opportunities 

There is significant benefit to developing shared wellbeing priorities for the EcoDistrict. 

District Wide Opportunities 

  • Standardized comfort mapping methods to support capital planning. 
  • Shared consultant resources for ADA improvements and user experience design. 
  • Regional air quality alerts with coordinated institutional responses. 
  • Joint outdoor improvements such as shaded seating, walking routes, and lighting upgrades. 
  • Shared language around belonging and visitor support. 

Because several institutions in the district are educational or public facing, these improvements compound across the neighborhood and improve the overall experience for residents, students, and visitors. 

Summary 

The Health and Wellbeing lens was the least developed at the time of grant cancellation, but both institutions have a strong foundation. The Nelson Atkins recently achieved WELL Silver certification, providing a clear roadmap for continuous improvement.

By applying repeatable evaluation methods and aligning with district partners, both institutions can continue improving the experience of staff and visitors while strengthening the district’s commitment to health, access, and long term wellbeing.