Adedapo A. Oluwatayo
Fabian D. Apav- Department of Architecture, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
Amid growing global concerns over employee mental health in high-demand industrial sectors, this study examines how salutogenic design strategies influence workers’ sense of meaningfulness within beverage factory environments. Anchored in Aaron Antonovsky’s Salutogenic Model, particularly the Sense of Coherence concept, the research explores how selected architectural features such as natural lighting, greenery, quiet rooms, and ergonomic furniture, affect workers’ perception of purpose and emotional engagement at work. Using a quantitative case study design across three beverage factories in Nigeria, data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics to evaluate the predictive relationship between design features and perceived meaningfulness. The results show a weak but positive relationship (R = 0.364, R2 = 0.132), with ergonomic furniture and quiet spaces contributing the most to workers’ wellbeing, though overall effects were statistically modest. The study’s novelty lies in extending salutogenic theory into industrial architecture, a field where human-centered design has been largely overlooked. Findings emphasize that while spatial interventions can support wellbeing, meaningfulness in factory settings also depends on organisational culture and social support systems. The research contributes to the emerging discourse on health-promoting industrial environments, offering insights for architects, employers, and policymakers seeking to align workplace design with sustainable wellbeing goals.
1 Introduction
In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, particularly within beverage production, factory workers often operate under conditions where productivity takes precedence over personal wellbeing. Long working hours, repetitive routines, exposure to noise, and inadequate spatial layouts frequently contribute to stress, physical strain, and declining motivation (Golembiewski and Zeisel, 2022; Mahdiun, 2022; Forooraghi et al., 2022; Oyedeji et al., 2025). Such conditions have been linked to absenteeism, low morale, and high turnover, which not only threaten workers’ health but also undermine organizational performance and national productivity (De Neve et al., 2019; Chang, 2024). These realities reveal the urgent need for a more humane approach to the design of industrial environments, one that supports both efficiency and the wellbeing of workers.
Salutogenesis, introduced by Aaron Antonovsky in 1979, offers a meaningful theoretical and practical framework for addressing these challenges. Unlike conventional design models that focus mainly on preventing illness or minimizing risk, the salutogenic approach emphasizes the creation of environments that actively promote health, psychological stability, and wellbeing. Central to this framework is the Sense of Coherence (SOC), which comprises three interrelated components: comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. Meaningfulness, defined as the degree to which individuals perceive their work and environment as purposeful, valuable, and emotionally rewarding, is particularly significant because it sustains motivation, resilience, and mental health (Wegerle, 2021; Mittelmark et al., 2022; Albrecht et al., 2022; Aprilia et al., 2025).
Previous studies have examined the application of salutogenic principles in healthcare, education, and residential environments, showing positive effects on recovery, satisfaction, and emotional engagement (Golembiewski, 2017; Jensen, Dür, and Buijs, 2022; Hamidi, Khakzand, and Faizi, 2024; Akankwatsa et al., 2025). However, relatively little research has investigated how these principles translate into industrial contexts, particularly within beverage factories. Although recent works (Shaari, Sarip, and Ramadhinda, 2022; Baykal Uluoz and Inalhan, 2024) have acknowledged that salutogenic design could alleviate physical and psychological stress in manufacturing spaces, they have focused primarily on comfort and productivity rather than on how design influences workers’ sense of meaningfulness. This omission highlights an important gap in the literature: the limited understanding of how architectural features within high-demand industrial settings can foster a sense of purpose and emotional connection among workers.
Beverage factories provide an especially relevant setting for exploring this question. They are characterised by repetitive workflows, strict hygiene regulations, and compact layouts dictated by machinery and process efficiency. These conditions often leave little room for human-centered design interventions. Yet, workers in such environments spend long hours engaged in routine activities that can diminish their sense of purpose (Anggraini et al., 2025). Investigating how salutogenic design elements such as natural light, visual access to greenery, ergonomic workspaces, and restorative areas affects these workers can offer valuable insights into how industrial architecture might evolve to better support psychological wellbeing.
The present study therefore seeks to;
1. Examine the degree to which salutogenic design strategies are incorporated into the architectural design of beverage factory buildings.
2. Evaluate the influence of these salutogenic design strategies on workers’ meaningfulness within the factory environment.
It is guided by the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between the adoption of salutogenic design elements and workers’ sense of meaningfulness within the factory setting. This investigation is especially timely, given the global movement toward healthier and more sustainable workplaces that prioritize human experience alongside productivity.
By focusing on industrial architecture through the lens of salutogenesis, this research contributes to the broader discourse on creating supportive, people-centered environments in demanding work settings. It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), which advocate for healthier, equitable, and sustainable workplaces (World Health Organisation, 2023; Nations, 2019). In doing so, the study not only addresses a theoretical and empirical gap but also advances a practical framework for integrating wellbeing into the design of beverage factories and similar production environments.
The following sections of this paper are organised as follows: Section 2 offers a thorough review of the literature on salutogenic theory and its applicability to industrial design. Section 3 details the methodology employed to examine the study’s goals. Section 4 analyses the results obtained from case studies and survey data, while Section 5 provides suggestions for incorporating salutogenic strategies to improve workers’ sense of meaning in factory design. The paper ends with thoughts on the wider consequences for workplace architecture and employee wellbeing.
2 Literature
2.1 The salutogenic model and sense of coherence (SOC)
Developed by Aaron Antonovsky (1979), the salutogenic model reframes health promotion by emphasizing the conditions that support wellbeing rather than those that cause disease. Its core construct, the Sense of Coherence (SOC), integrates three interdependent components, comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, which together describe how individuals perceive and respond to their environment (Eriksson and Mittelmark, 2016; Piiroinen et al., 2025).
Meaningfulness functions as the motivational core of SOC: it reflects the degree to which individuals regard their work and surroundings as emotionally significant and worthy of effort (Mayer and Braun-Lewensohn, 2021; Eakman, 2024). Without this emotional engagement, the other dimensions, understanding and control lack sustaining drive (Antonovsky, 1987).
Recent workplace studies affirm that employees who experience their environments as meaningful report greater engagement, resilience, and satisfaction (Jenny et al., 2022; Bykov, 2024; Adyllon et al., 2025; Mansour, 2024; Ng et al., 2024). In industrial contexts, however, such emotional connection is often undermined by repetitive tasks, mechanized processes, and impersonal environments. This underscores the value of translating SOC principles into spatial and environmental design strategies that enhance wellbeing in the workplace.
2.2 Salutogenic design strategies in the built environment
Salutogenic design operationalizes Antonovsky’s theory through architectural interventions that strengthen wellbeing and quality of life (Lindström and Eriksson, 2006). These include natural lighting and ventilation, access to nature, acoustic comfort, ergonomic layouts, and social spaces for interaction and rest. Collectively, such features foster environmental clarity (comprehensibility), user control (manageability), and purpose (meaningfulness).
Contemporary research (Pelikan, 2022; Bano et al., 2023; Bergefurt, 2023; Rohde et al., 2020) confirms that salutogenic environments improve psychological resilience, emotional balance, and user satisfaction. While the concept has been widely applied in healthcare and educational design (Crnic et al., 2024; Hamidi et al., 2024; Snellman, 2023), industrial buildings remain underrepresented in this discourse. The design of factories, particularly in the beverage sector, is still largely driven by productivity and hygiene, often neglecting psychological and social dimensions of wellbeing.
2.3 Workplace meaningfulness and the physical environment
Workplace meaningfulness arises not only from job roles and social relations but also from the physical environment that mediates workers’ experiences (Roskams and Haynes, 2020; Lozovetska et al., 2024). Well-designed spaces promote identity, autonomy, and belonging, factors strongly associated with emotional engagement (Golembiewski and Zeisel, 2022; Bergefurt et al., 2024). In industrial settings, particularly beverage manufacturing, architectural conditions such as daylight, ventilation, comfort, and spatial legibility significantly influence how employees perceive value and purpose in their work (Bawa, 2022; Adegboyega and Babatunde, 2022).
From an architectural design perspective, Figure 1 shows how salutogenic theory influences meaningfulness factors.
Figure 1. Meaningfulness factors translating salutogenic theory into environmental/interiors of a design source: Okpanum (2016).
2.4 Operationalisation of meaningfulness factors in industrial architecture
Drawing from salutogenic and environmental psychology theories, this study conceptualizes nine spatial variables that reflect the meaningfulness component of SOC within factory settings as shown in Table 1. These factors originally adapted from human-centered environmental models, are reinterpreted below to fit the industrial context, where direct analogues (e.g., “Pet”) are translated into design-based equivalents (e.g., biophilic engagement).
Table 1. Shows a summary of the meaningfulness factors translating salutogenic theory into environmental/interiors of a design.
This framework demonstrates how intangible wellbeing factors can be translated into tangible spatial strategies. Each element contributes differently to the three SOC dimensions, comprehensibility (clarity and predictability), manageability (control and comfort), and meaningfulness (emotional value and purpose).
2.4.1 Pet (Biophilia and nature-inspired design)
While live animals are not typically integrated into industrial environments, the emotional advantages of pet interaction can be emulated through biophilic design. Architectural elements such as garden zones, sensory courtyards, and natural landscapes simulate the calming and emotionally restorative effects associated with animal presence. These spaces offer workers visual and sensory engagement with nature, which aids in stress reduction and promotes a sense of tranquillity. As noted by Kazungu et al. (2021) and Zhang et al. (2024) environments abundant in biophilic features enhance cognitive functioning and psychological wellbeing, thereby fostering a more profound connection to one’s environment and tasks key attributes of meaningful work.
2.4.2 Music (acoustic comfort and soundscaping)
Music serves as a potent positive distraction, mood regulator, and identity enhancer in the workplace. In architectural design, this is realized through the incorporation of acoustic zoning, soundscape lounges, or background music systems in break areas and corridors. These auditory environments aid in reducing workplace stress, fostering a sense of familiarity, and enhancing emotional engagement. According to Fan and Baharum (2024), soundscapes featuring natural or ambient music can expedite stress recovery and improve workers’ emotional states, thereby reinforcing the meaningfulness of their workplace experience.
2.4.3 Gym (active design and physical wellness)
Physical activity is directly associated with mental clarity, resilience, and motivation factors closely related to a sense of meaningfulness. Research shows that architectural strategies such as the incorporation of small fitness spaces, outdoor activity loops, or movement-promoting stairways support these outcomes. These facilities encourage workers to participate in health-positive routines during or after work hours. As Stott et al. (2024) emphasized, access to physical activity spaces in the workplace enhances both physical and emotional wellbeing, fostering a healthier work-life balance and strengthening workers’ connection to their job roles.
2.4.4 Culture (cultural identity and expression in design)
Culturally responsive architecture strengthens workers’ sense of belonging and identity, which are vital for fostering a perception of meaningful work. This can be accomplished through the incorporation of local materials, cultural motifs, storytelling murals, and regionally inspired finishes. These design elements validate cultural identity and establish an emotional connection between the worker and the workspace. As Ahmad et al. (2024) contend, integrating cultural symbols into architecture enhances community pride and personal identification with the environment, thereby cultivating a sense of purpose and meaning in one’s professional role.
2.4.5 Art (creative visual engagement)
The inclusion of artistic elements such as murals, sculptures, or rotating exhibitions into industrial spaces humanizes the environment and stimulates emotional engagement. Art in architecture provides workers with opportunities for reflection, inspiration, and connection to broader narratives. These visual stimuli act as both cognitive enhancers and sources of positive distraction, alleviating the monotony of factory routines. Scrima et al. (2022) and Zhang (2025b) have shown that art in the workplace fosters creativity, reduces emotional fatigue, and enhances workers’ perceived value and purpose.
2.4.6 View (visual access to nature or activity)
Strategic views of outdoor landscapes, green courtyards, or natural elements can significantly influence mental clarity, emotional stability, and work satisfaction. Architectural features like large windows, skylights, and framed sightlines enable visual connection to calming external scenes. Lin et al. (2023) and Zhang (2025a) discovered that access to nature through windows or indoor plants reduces stress and improves attention span, helping workers perceive their environment as more supportive and their work as more rewarding and meaningful.
2.4.7 Comfort (environmental and ergonomic design)
A physically comfortable environment enables workers to perform tasks without unnecessary strain, promoting psychological ease and focused engagement. Architectural solutions for comfort include thermal regulation, ergonomic workstations, noise control, and personal lighting control. Bawa (2022) and Afolabi et al. (2020) noted that indoor environmental quality significantly impacts productivity and emotional satisfaction in factory settings. A space that supports comfort communicates that workers’ wellbeing is valued, enhancing the perceived meaningfulness of their roles, Mohamad and Abiddin (2024).
2.4.8 Social support (communal and interactive spaces)
Architectural designs that encourage interpersonal interaction, like communal lounges, break-out spaces, or shared kitchenettes, improve social bonding and emotional support among workers. These features help to create a collaborative culture and decrease feelings of isolation. Jenny et al. (2022) and Akerele et al. (2022) highlighted that workplaces designed with opportunities for social interaction significantly contribute to workers’ sense of purpose and belonging, which are both essential for meaningful work experiences.
2.4.9 Positive distraction (sensory and mental relief)
Positive distractions in architecture include elements that momentarily shift attention in a soothing, non-intrusive way like green walls, water features, dynamic lighting, and natural textures. These elements introduce variation and visual interest, helping workers reset cognitively during demanding tasks. Sholanke et al. (2022) and Malhotra and Abrol (2024) explained that sensory variation in built environments fosters mental recovery, improves mood, and enhances the perception of the workplace as supportive and meaningful.
2.5 Identified literature gap
While prior research has validated the benefits of salutogenic design in healthcare, education, and residential settings, industrial architecture, especially beverage factory environments, remains largely unexamined. Existing studies addressing workplace wellbeing in factories focus on productivity and safety rather than psychological coherence or meaningfulness (Shaari et al., 2022; Baykal Uluoz and Inalhan, 2024). Consequently, there is limited empirical evidence on how architectural features aligned with salutogenic principles influence workers’ emotional connection to their work.
3 Methodology
3.1 Research design
This study adopted a quantitative case study design with descriptive and inferential analyses. Although qualitative case studies are often used for in-depth exploration, this research combined the contextual strength of case studies with quantitative data collection and analysis to ensure objectivity and comparability across multiple factory sites. The approach was selected to assess the relationship between salutogenic design strategies and workers’ sense of meaningfulness within beverage factory environments.
3.2 Study population and sampling
The study population comprised 241 workers across three beverage factories: Factory A (Makurdi, Benue State), Factory B (Ota, Ogun State), and Factory C (Ikeja, Lagos State). Factories were selected using purposive sampling, based on accessibility, operational scale, and geographic variation to ensure representativeness of both northern and southern industrial contexts.
A sample size of 151 workers was determined using Slovin’s formula at a 5% margin of error (n = 151). To ensure proportional representation, the sample was distributed according to factory population size (see Table 2).
Table 2. Showing study population.
A total of 127 valid questionnaires were retrieved, representing an 84.1% response rate, which is adequate for statistical analysis (Mugenda and Mugenda, 2003).
To control for inter-factory variation, uniform data collection procedures and identical survey instruments were applied in all three locations, minimizing contextual bias and ensuring comparability of responses.
3.3 Research instrument and structure
Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire designed around Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) framework and the identified salutogenic design variables. The instrument consisted of four sections:
1. Section A: Demographics, captured participants’ age, gender, job role, and years of experience to contextualize responses.
2. Section B: Salutogenic Design Features, measured the perceived presence of salutogenic design strategies (e.g., natural light, greenery, rest areas, ergonomic furniture).
3. Section C: Workers’ Sense of Coherence (SOC), assessed the three SOC dimensions, comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, through workers’ agreement with statements about their environment.
4. Section D: Workplace Evaluation and Suggestions, invited workers to reflect on their overall wellbeing and recommend design improvements.
All items were rated on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 = Not at all to 5 = To a large extent.
3.4 Research validity and reliability
Cronbach Alpha coefficient is considered the most appropriate measure of reliability in instruments that use Likert type scales. A coefficient of at least 0.70 confirms the internal validity of the instrument. Table 3 shows the reliability statistics for the questionnaire instrument.
Table 3. Showing reliability statistics.
The data collection tool was validated via expert review, and data reliability was confirmed through consistency checks. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software was used to analyze the data. The findings were presented descriptively using tables. Ethical considerations in this study emphasised respondent anonymity, ensuring confidential use exclusively for academic purposes. Participation was voluntary and based on informed consent.
4 Results
4.1 Questionnaire response analysis
Out of 160 distributed questionnaires, 127 were retrieved, giving a valid response rate of 84.1%, sufficient for analysis.
Table 4 presents the distribution of respondents by factory, showing that Factory B had the highest representation (41.7%) and Factory A the lowest (18.9%).
Table 4. Distribution of respondents from each factory.
4.2 Gender of respondents
As shown in Table 5, gender distribution was nearly equal, with 48.8% male and 48.8% female respondents, while 2.4% did not indicate gender.
Table 5. Gender of respondents.
4.3 Age of respondents
Table 6 reveals that 16.5% of respondents are under 25 years old, 28.3% are between 25 and 29 years, 32.3% are between 30 and 34 years, 18.9% are between 35 and 39 years, and 3.1% are over 40 years old, with 0.8% being inconclusive. These figures indicate that most of the workers are 34 years old or younger.
Table 6. Age of respondents.
4.4 Role in factory of respondents
Table 7 indicates that 34.6% of the respondents are production workers, 28.3% are maintenance staff, and 29.9% are administrative staff. Management comprises 5.5% of the respondents, while 1.6% falls into the “others” category, including positions such as laboratory technicians and logistics coordinators. This data reveals that production workers make up the majority of the respondents.
Table 7. Role in factory of respondents.
4.5 Length of employment of respondents
Table 8 presents the percentages of respondents’ length of employment in the factories. The data indicates that 26% of the respondents have been employed for less than 1 year, 42.5% have been employed for 1–4 years, 26.8% have been employed for 5–9 years, and 2.4% have worked in the factories for over 10 years. This demonstrates that most respondents have been employed for 1–4 years.
Table 8. Length of employment of workers.
4.6 Examine the degree to which salutogenic design strategies are incorporated into the architectural design of beverage factory buildings
To address Objective One, Table 9 presents the degree to which salutogenic features are integrated into beverage factory designs.
Table 9. Degree to which Salutogenic features are implemented.
The features with the highest mean ratings were:
1. Availability of break or recess areas (Mean = 3.79)
2. Open spaces encouraging movement and collaboration (Mean = 3.72)
3. Clear and navigable layout (Mean = 3.70)
These findings indicate moderate to high implementation levels of spatial and social wellbeing features.
Conversely, presence of indoor plants (Mean = 2.91) and accessibility for persons with disabilities (Mean = 3.12) ranked lower, revealing a limited emphasis on inclusivity and biophilic detailing.
4.7 Interpretation
These high-performing features (break areas and open layouts) relate closely to the “comprehensibility” and “manageability” components of the Salutogenic Model, they make the environment easier to understand and navigate, enhancing perceived control. The lower-ranked features (plants, disability access) suggest that aesthetic and inclusive considerations receive less design attention in industrial contexts.
4.8 Evaluate the influence of these salutogenic design strategies on workers’ meaningfulness within the factory environment
The second objective is to evaluate the influence of salutogenic design strategies on workers’ sense of meaningfulness in the factory environment.
In order to successfully analyse the various variables, a frequency analysis of the dependent variable on meaningfulness, ‘the factory environment aligns with your expectations for a healthy workplace’ is paramount as shown in Table 10. The survey data in the table below reveals that perceptions of the factory environment as a healthy workplace vary among respondents. A combined 40.6% believe the environment aligns with their expectations either “to a moderate extent” (25.6%) or “to a large extent” (15.0%). Meanwhile, 35.3% remain neutral, indicating uncertainty or ambivalence. On the other end, 24.1% feel the environment aligns only slightly or not at all with their expectations of a healthy workplace. Overall, while a significant portion views the environment positively, the high neutral and low agreement responses suggest that there is room for improvement in workplace health standards.
Table 10. Showing the frequency on the dependent variable.
As previously noted, sense of coherence includes comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. This study focuses on the concept of meaningfulness, which is examined across the case studies where questionnaires were administered. Regression analysis is used to better understand and compare these variables, considering their dependent and independent nature. As earlier explained, the meaningfulness factors are pet, music, gym, culture, art, view, comfort, social support and positive distraction. The variables from the questionnaire considered are narrowed down to Multiple floors, Presence of views of nature, Water features, Presence of indoor plants, Single floor, Quiet rooms designed for stress recovery or relaxation, Presence of outdoor green spaces and Greenery and these formed the independent variables. A result is considered influential if it is at or below the 0.05 benchmark. The dependent variable considered for the analysis is, the factory environment aligns with your expectations for a healthy workplace. Table 11 shows the model summary of the analysis. The model summary shows a weak positive link (R = 0.364) between chosen salutogenic design features and how workers view meaningfulness. The R Square value of 0.132 means these design elements (like natural light, greenery, break areas, and ergonomic furniture) only explain 13.2% of the differences in perceived meaningfulness. The Adjusted R Square is low at 0.021, indicating the model does not explain much when considering the number of predictors. Additionally, the F-change statistic (1.194) and its significance value (p = 0.299) confirm the model is not statistically significant. This result highlights the complexity of measuring subjective experiences like meaningfulness and suggests that additional or alternative factors may play a more influential role.
Table 11. showing the model summary of the analysis.
The ANOVA results as shown in Table 12 indicate that the regression model does not significantly explain the variation in workers’ perceptions of whether the factory environment aligns with expectations for a healthy workplace. The F-value of 1.194 and a significance level (p-value) of 0.299 suggest that the twelve salutogenic design features included in the model such as natural light, greenery, break areas, and ergonomic furniture do not collectively account for a meaningful difference in perceptions. The relatively high residual sum of squares (111.508) compared to the regression sum of squares (16.997) further supports the conclusion that the model lacks predictive strength. Overall, these results imply that while individual design elements may have some isolated effects, this particular combination of features does not significantly influence workers’ overall judgment of workplace healthiness in this dataset.
Table 12. Shows the ANOVA results of the analysis.
The coefficients table below (Table 13) shows how each design feature contributes to the perception that the factory matches expectations for a healthy workplace. The constant value (B = 1.752, p = 0.015) is statistically significant, indicating a basic positive perception even without the other factors. However, none of the individual design features have a statistically significant influence (p > 0.05). Ergonomic furniture (B = 0.127, p = 0.235) and quiet rooms for stress recovery (B = 0.108, p = 0.289) had the highest coefficients, suggesting a relatively stronger, though still non-significant, positive impact. Natural light (B = −0.066, p = 0.578) and open collaborative spaces (B = −0.045, p = 0.658) showed negative but non-significant associations. Overall, the design features may be conceptually linked to workplace health and meaningfulness, but none independently predict workers’ perceptions to a statistically significant degree in this model. This shows the complex and context-dependent nature of how workers interpret environmental features.
Table 13. Showing the regression analysis of the dependent and independent variables.
4.9 Discussion
The findings underscore the complexity of achieving meaningfulness through design in industrial settings.
Although the statistical influence of salutogenic features was limited, interpretive evidence supports that design still plays a crucial enabling role when embedded within supportive social and managerial structures.
1. Ergonomic furniture and quiet rooms enhanced workers’ sense of manageability, providing physical and emotional relief.
2. Open and navigable layouts contributed to comprehensibility, reinforcing clarity and predictability.
3. Natural elements, though less impactful statistically, support meaningfulness symbolically by connecting workers to nature and the passage of time.
This aligns with Antonovsky’s Salutogenic Model, where a strong Sense of Coherence emerges from environments that are structured, supportive, and value-laden.
4.10 Summary of key findings
1. The model explained 13.2% of the variance in meaningfulness.
2. Ergonomic furniture and quiet rooms had the most consistent positive influence.
3. Common wellbeing features (natural light, greenery) showed muted statistical effects, possibly due to overfamiliarity.
4. Physical design alone is insufficient; meaningfulness depends on organizational culture and psychosocial support.
5. Salutogenic features are most effective when they promote comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness simultaneously.
5 Conclusion
This study examined how the implementation of salutogenic design strategies in beverage factory buildings influences workers’ sense of meaningfulness, a key component of Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) theory. Focusing on architectural features such as natural light, vegetation, quiet zones, water features, and ergonomic furniture, the study explored how these elements shape employees’ perception of purpose and emotional engagement in their work.
The findings reveal that while salutogenic features conceptually align with worker wellbeing, their measurable influence on meaningfulness remains limited. Regression results showed only a weak positive association, suggesting that design factors alone explain a small portion of the variance in perceived meaningfulness. This outcome emphasizes that psychological wellbeing in industrial contexts is multidimensional, arising not just from spatial quality but also from organisational culture, managerial empathy, and social relationships within the workplace.
The modest statistical performance of the model underscores the need for integrative frameworks that link architectural interventions with human-centred operational policies. The presence of positive coefficients for features like ergonomic furniture and quiet rooms indicates potential leverage points, but their effects may only materialise meaningfully when reinforced by psychosocial and institutional support systems. Thus, the research contributes to extending knowledge by clarifying the contextual limits of salutogenic architecture in industrial environments and by identifying where human and environmental factors intersect.
5.1 Future works
Future research should address the current study’s limitations by broadening methodological and conceptual scopes. First, expanding the dataset to include factories of varying scales, production systems, and geographic contexts would improve model generalisability. Second, mixed-method or longitudinal designs integrating physiological or psychological human indices such as stress biomarkers, heart-rate variability, job satisfaction scales, or affective engagement metrics could offer deeper insights into how salutogenic environments influence worker health and meaning over time.
Further studies may also explore the interaction between physical design and organisational behavior, assessing how leadership style, worker autonomy, and participatory design processes mediate salutogenic outcomes. By merging architectural and human factors research, future investigations can help develop evidence-based guidelines for creating factory environments that are not only efficient but also psychologically restorative and meaningful.
Data availability statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
Ethics statement
Written informed consent was obtained from the individual(s) for the publication of any potentially identifiable images or data included in this article.
Author contributions
AO: Supervision, Validation, Writing – review and editing. FA: Data curation, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing.
Funding
The authors declare that no financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors express gratitude for the assistance extended by the Covenant University Centre for Research, Innovation, and Discovery (CUCRID) in facilitating the publication of this work.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Keywords: salutogenic strategies, meaningfulness, beverage factory, sense of coherence, worker’s wellbeing
Citation: Oluwatayo AA and Apav FD (2025) Influence of implementation of salutogenic strategies in beverage factory buildings on the meaningfulness of workers. Front. Built Environ. 11:1689230. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2025.1689230
Received: 20 August 2025; Accepted: 19 November 2025;
Published: 23 December 2025.
Edited by:
Ali Ghahramani, National University of Singapore, SingaporeReviewed by:
Jeeva Wijesundara, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Sri LankaIndriati Paskarini, Airlangga University, Indonesia
Copyright © 2025 Oluwatayo and Apav. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Fabian D. Apav, ZmFiaWFuLmFwYXZwZ3NAc3R1LmN1LmVkdS5uZw==