EVALUATION OF SALUTOGENIC STRATEGIES AND WORKERS’ SENSE OF COHERENCE FOR THE DESIGN OF EKULO BEVERAGE FACTORY, MAKURDI, NIGERIA

Abstract

In an era where employee well-being is increasingly linked to organisational success, factory environments must evolve beyond mere efficiency. Beverage factories, often characterised by repetitive tasks, noise, and physical strain, rarely consider the psychological and emotional needs of their workers. This study investigates how salutogenic design, an approach focused on promoting health rather than simply preventing illness, can enhance the Sense of Coherence (SOC) among workers in beverage factories in Benue State, Nigeria. Salutogenesis, a concept developed by Aaron Antonovsky, centres on three pillars of SOC: comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. When embedded into workplace architecture, these principles can mitigate stress, improve job satisfaction, and enhance productivity. Despite global research highlighting the benefits of salutogenic environments in healthcare and education, their integration into industrial settings remains sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of salutogenic design on worker well-being and to propose a factory design model that strengthens SOC. Using a mixed-methods approach including observations of salutogenic elements and sharing of questionnaires across selected beverage factories, the research assessed the presence of key design elements: natural light and ventilation, noise control, and restorative spaces. Findings revealed that most factories underprioritised these elements, resulting in low SOC ratings among workers. Further analysis such as regression analysis established a positive correlation between salutogenic environments and higher SOC scores. The study culminates in a design proposal for a beverage factory that integrates salutogenic principles to foster a healthier, more productive workforce. The results advocate for a shift in industrial design philosophy where human-centered spaces are not luxuries but necessities. By aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (3, 8, and 9), this research contributes to both academic discourse and practical applications in industrial architecture.