Date: December 15, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM Venue: Aula Alpha (Building 24, Via Camillo Golgi 40, 20133, Milan)

Abstract: Built environments shape health and wellbeing outcomes for humans and non-humans. This talk introduces salutogenesis, a framework originating in medical theory that reorients how we understand the health-environment pairing. Rather than asking “what makes environments sick or at risk?” our reframe of salutogenesis asks “what makes environments healthy?”. This presentation explores how salutogenesis can help to reconceptualise spaces that generate health and resilience. The framework distinguishes between pathogenic elements (those that harm) and salutogenic elements (those that actively promote health) – a distinction with profound implications for design. Through philosophical analysis, the talk demonstrates how salutogenic environments offer an innovative approach to address the interconnected health and climate crises, contributing to generative and transformative practices of creating conditions for human and ecological health.

Laura Menatti (https://lauramenatti.weebly.com/) is specialised in environmental philosophy, epistemology of landscape, and philosophy of medicine, with  two PhDs from Italy and Spain, and a recent HDR (Habilitation à diriger des recherches) from the Sorbonne University. Her research aims to develop a theoretical and practical framework for investigating the concept of environment and its impact on health. Her work draws on an interdisciplinary approach combining humanities and sciences, by employing both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and on-site activities. She has taught and conducted research across multiple faculties and departments (medicine, architecture, philosophy, science) in Spain, Chile, Italy, France, the United States and Austria.