Influence of Implementation of Salutogenic Strategies in Beverage Factory Buildings on the Meaningfulness of Workers

Adedapo A. Oluwatayo¹Fabian Demenongo Apav^2*

• ¹Department of Architecture, College of Science & Technology, Covenant University, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
• ²Department of Architecture and not Department of Biochemistry, Ota, Nigeria

In the face of growing global concerns about employee mental health and well-being, especially in high-demand industrial sectors, this study investigates the extent to which salutogenic design strategies can influence the sense of meaningfulness experienced by workers in beverage factory buildings. Grounded in Aaron Antonovsky's Salutogenic Model specifically the concept of Sense of Coherence (SOC) the research focuses on the meaningfulness component, which reflects how much individuals perceive their work as emotionally rewarding, purposeful, and worth investing in. This study adopts a qualitative case study approach, supported by statistical analysis of selected salutogenic design features, including natural lighting, greenery, quiet rooms, water features, social spaces, and ergonomic furniture. Architectural documentation and spatial observations were used to assess how these features relate to workers' perception of their environment as a healthy and supportive workplace. Data were analysed using multiple regression and ANOVA to determine the predictive strength of these design features on workers' perceived meaningfulness. The findings reveal a weak positive relationship between salutogenic features and perceived meaningfulness, with an R value of 0.364 and R Square of 0.132. However, the model did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.299), and none of the individual design features showed a significant influence on their own. Despite the limited statistical power, features such as ergonomic furniture and quiet rooms for stress recovery showed relatively stronger positive contributions. These results highlight the complex and context-dependent nature of workplace meaningfulness, suggesting that architectural design alone may not sufficiently explain or enhance this psychological construct. This study concludes that while salutogenic design has theoretical potential to enhance the quality of life in industrial environments, its practical impact on meaningfulness must be supported by organisational culture, social relationships, and employee empowerment strategies. The research contributes to the limited body of knowledge on salutogenic design in factory settings and offers a foundation for more integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to designing healthier, more human-centered workplaces.