Unveiling the “MQDC Standard”: Design for Better Well-Being

Created By RISC | 4 days ago

Last modified date : 4 days ago

For nearly two decades, RISC has conducted research and developed innovations driven by experts across diverse fields—architecture, engineering, science, social science, humanities, and ecology. This multidisciplinary knowledge base enables RISC to continuously translate research insights into real-world design and property development.

Beyond research, another core responsibility of RISC is serving as the driving force behind the creation of MQDC’s Well-Being Standard—design standards that prioritize holistic, long-term wellness.

MQDC does not simply build residences; it creates “sustainable well-being for all life,” grounded in the belief that every living being on Earth can coexist happily and sustainably. This is a profound responsibility for any city builder or property developer.

Together, MQDC and RISC work to establish comprehensive standards for project design and development, advancing the concept of “Sustainnovation”—innovation for sustainability—to enhance well-being for residents, surrounding communities, the environment, society, and the world at large. MQDC’s standards are designed to elevate well-being across three main dimensions.

Energy & Ecology

Energy conservation and ecosystem stewardship have long been central to MQDC’s For All Well-Being philosophy. The company prioritizes ecosystem restoration and biodiversity, supported by expert knowledge and the development of its Biodiversity Standard. MQDC also upholds a strict no-kill policy for animals—including non-lethal approaches to managing insects and pests—to avoid environmental toxins and drive innovation in ecological pest-control methods for mosquitoes, rodents, snakes, and termites.

MQDC supports sustainable architectural design, earning recognition and certifications from leading institutions locally and internationally. Projects emphasize environmentally friendly materials, water and energy efficiency, and high-performance air-conditioning systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heat dispersion. These efforts minimize environmental impact and support the long-term goal of becoming Nature Positive & Carbon Negative by 2050 through collaboration with partners across sectors.

Health & Wellness

MQDC enforces strict design standards for healthy indoor environments, combining natural ventilation with fresh-air supply systems, selecting non-toxic materials with low VOC emissions, optimizing lighting, minimizing noise, and enhancing building safety. These standards exceed legal requirements, covering slip resistance, guardrail specifications, and details that reduce accident risks and injury severity.

RISC develops guidelines and management tools that respond to emerging challenges, such as COVID-Free Design and the Resilience Framework Toolkit for future crisis preparedness. MQDC also improves external air quality through the “Fahsai Air Purifier Tower,” an urban-scale innovation recognized by the public and private sectors and deployed across Thailand to help mitigate PM2.5 pollution.

Senses & Happiness

Human behavior and psychology play a vital role in residential design. MQDC continuously researches sustainable happiness—creating environments that support everyday life, evoke comfort, reduce stress, and promote emotional well-being through thoughtful use of materials, colors, spatial flow, and integration with nature. These design choices are validated through scientific measurement and direct analysis of human brain responses.

Research also informs new design approaches for modern living, such as forest-integrated urban concepts, Multigeneration Living Design, and Pet-Friendly Design, ensuring environments meet evolving needs.

Purchasing a home is often the most significant investment in one’s life.

MQDC extends its responsibility beyond construction by ensuring residents enjoy a worry-free living experience. This commitment is embodied in MQDC’s 30-Year Warranty, covering four critical systems residents cannot repair on their own: structural integrity, rainwater leakage, door and window functionality, and damage to plumbing or electrical systems. The warranty strengthens confidence in every MQDC residence and transforms design thinking by placing long-term maintenance at the forefront.

Examples include plumbing layouts designed without penetrating floors below, allowing repairs without disturbing neighbors; maintenance access panels positioned in corridors outside private units; and water supply and drainage pipes installed externally so repairs and replacements can be carried out efficiently.

RISC also works closely with project teams from the earliest stages to integrate MQDC Standards into design and construction. This includes continuous data collection, performance measurement, analysis, and refinement to ensure each project meets and advances these standards.

Every MQDC department involved in development plays a vital role in driving learning, innovation, and improvement, reinforcing the mission of creating “sustainable well-being for all life.”

From the very beginning, this commitment has been at the heart of MQDC: For All Well-Being.

Story by Saritorn Amornjaruchit, Assistant Vice President, RISC