Claim OwnershipBetter Buildings For Humans
Subscribed: 4Played: 57
Subscribe
© BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and brought to you by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
Description
Welcome to the BBFH podcast. More often than not, when we think about health and wellness, our thoughts turn to diet and exercise. However, most of us spend two-thirds or more of our day inside buildings. The quality of the environment in those buildings has been proven to have a dramatic impact on our well being and our productivity, both at work and at home. There is little discussion about this in the mainstream media. It’s time to start a public dialogue about how we are affected by the buildings where we live, work and play. Thanks for listening! https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/
38 Episodes
Reverse
Join host Joe Menchefski as he chats with Dr. Shelley James, the Light Lady, about the surprising ways light impacts our health and well-being. Dr. James shares her inspiring journey from a life-changing bicycle accident to becoming a top light advisor. Discover why our bodies are wired to respond to light, the importance of our circadian rhythm, and how natural light can boost our mood and focus.
This episode covers the latest in LED technology, tips for maximizing daylight in our lives, and how light affects teens' academic performance and seniors' cognitive function. Whether you're curious about the benefits of natural light or looking for ways to improve lighting in your home or office, this episode sheds light on it all!
Where to Find Dr. James:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMvIL1p6Z1k
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-shelley-james-the-light-lady-53592229
Where To Find Us:
https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/
www.advancedglazings.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast
www.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625
https://twitter.com/bbfhpod
https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight
https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/
https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd/
https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd
The Passive House Network is the training and educational branch of Passive House in America. In this episode, Joe sits down with Ken Levenson, the Executive Director of the Passive House Network. Joe and Ken explore the differences between the role of Passive House Network and PHIUS. Listeners will hear how the Passive House standards are driven by science and outcomes rather than prescriptive requirements. Discover how prioritizing excellence in building enclosure design not only enhances comfort but also boosts energy efficiency. Tune in to learn why superior design leads to stunning, energy-efficient, and health-promoting structures that are truly a pleasure to occupy!
Where to find Ken:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenlevenson
passivehousenetwork.org
https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/
www.advancedglazings.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast
www.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625
https://twitter.com/bbfhpod
https://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight
https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/
https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd/
https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd
In this episode of BBFH, host Joe Menchefski engages in a compelling conversation with Seth Warren Rose, founding director of Eneref Institute, on the profound impact of the built environment on human well-being.
Seth, who transitioned from a background in physics to a passion for sustainable development, discusses the essential role of natural light in buildings, emphasizing it as a fundamental right that enhances well-being and productivity.
The episode covers how wellness-friendly schools focus on proper ventilation and daylight to support healthy learning environments and explores how market forces are instrumental in driving the adoption of sustainable practices and products. Also addressed is the critical need to tackle climate change to prevent future climate refugees and conclude with insights on what makes a building truly great by considering occupant well-being, integrating sustainable design principles, and withstanding the test of time. This episode is a must listen!
Where To Find Seth:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/swrose/
https://eneref.org/
seth.warren.rose@eneref.org
This week, host Joe Menchefski explores the art of integrated and climate responsive design with Erik Olsen, Managing Partner at Transsolar KlimaEngineering. In this episode, Erik explains that "our world deserves better than building as usual," emphasizing the role of local climates in crafting dynamic, comfortable environments. Discover the impact of projects like the Karl Miller Center in Portland and the School of Design and Environment in Singapore, where low-tech solutions and strategic renewable energy procurement redefine sustainability. Listen in for a deep dive into building designs that truly prioritize human comfort and environmental responsibility.
More about Erik:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-olsen-transsolar/
https://transsolar.com/
In this episode, we sit down with Sam Rashkin, self-proclaimed recovering architect, founder of Tru Home Facts, and the visionary behind the Housing 2.0 framework. Sam shares his invaluable insights on the pivotal role of programs like ENERGY STAR and Zero Energy Ready Home in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in homes. Explore Housing 2.0, a groundbreaking framework developed by Sam that focuses on optimizing community, design, performance, quality, and value in residential buildings. Discover the critical elements that define indoor environmental quality, including thermal comfort, the infusion of natural light, superior air quality, and thoughtful views, all of which contribute to a healthier, more connected living space. Sam also explains the benefits of Tru Home Facts, a platform providing essential data on expected maintenance costs, helping homeowners manage financial wellness in property management. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in creating spaces that not only save energy but also foster well-being and social connection.
More About Sam: https://srashkin.com/https://www.greenbuildermedia.com/housing-2.0
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-rashkin-1684582/
sam@truhomefacts.com
Explore the intricacies of sustainable building design through the lens of daylight utilization and facade system control with esteemed researcher, Sahar Abdelwahab.
Sahar unravels the delicate balance between enhancing daylight intake and optimizing thermal performance using the groundbreaking Kaleidocycle Typology. Discover how cultural factors and visual privacy play pivotal roles in facade design and learn about the trade-offs between speed and accuracy in daylight modeling.
Sahar also sheds light on the non-visual impacts of lighting on the elderly and the evolving UK building codes' influence on glazed areas.
Concluding with a forward-looking announcement, Sahar invites listeners to a series of talks focusing on human-centric design in indoor environments. Whether you’re an architect, planner, or enthusiast, this episode offers profound insights into creating buildings that truly cater to human needs while pushing the boundaries of modern design.
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sahar-abdelwahab-982250a9
In this episode, Julian Pastore from Volvo Car Canada and Bryce Jarman from RH Carter Architects Inc. discuss the Volvo Retail Sustainability Experience (VRSE) program, which focuses on creating sustainable and customer-centric dealerships.
They highlight the goals of VRSE, including providing a premium Scandinavian experience for customers and creating a comfortable and productive environment for employees. The design of the showrooms incorporates elements such as Solera® glass, renewable energy, permeable paving, and sustainable furniture. The feedback from both employees and customers has been positive, with the new facilities being praised for their welcoming atmosphere and sustainable features.
The showrooms are designed to celebrate their sustainability and communicate Volvo's commitment to environmental responsibility. The conversation discusses sustainable elements in the customer lounge, the importance of natural light in a showroom, the premium and payback in showroom design, advice for bricks and mortar retailers, and what makes a great building!
https://www.dilawri.ca/en/news/view/volvo-car-canada-and-dilawri-open-north-americas-first-vrse-facility/116987
https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/
https://www.rhcarter.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/r.h.-carter-architects/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianpastore/
Pascale Sablan is an extraordinary person! She’s a brilliant architect, an activist, an advocate, and a passionate and engaging conversationalist. Pascale talks about the determination that was required for her to journey into a world where there were very few black female architects. She speaks in practical terms about the need for a diversity of opinions and experiences in community architecture. Pascale and Joe discuss how buildings can be a form of activism and how structures can give back to the community. This incredible episode ends with a discussion of how important it is to document and celebrate the contributions of women and people of color to the built environment.
Links:
https://pascalesablan.com/
https://www.beyondthebuilt.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascale-sablan-faia-noma-leed-ap-a0331979/
https://www.instagram.com/pascalesablan
https://www.adjaye.com/who-we-are/leadership/pascale-sablan/
https://www.instagram.com/nomanational
Nick Bagatelos knows glass! Nick grew up in the glass industry and continues to be one of the most respected personalities in the industry. In this lively episode, Joe and Nick talk about: the promise of vacuum glass; the importance of retrofits and how to do it right; the technological and structural barriers that will ensure that some glass-based innovations will remain as novelty products; the importance of light and views; the need to improve framing thermal performance; and so much more!
Views and daylight are critical to occupant wellness, comfort, and productivity. Everyone who is familiar with commercial glazing knows that much of the energy loss occurs through the window framing system. This energy loss is putting pressure on architects to reduce glazed area, which isolates building occupants from the natural environment. In this episode, Joe goes on a deep dive with the people who are changing our world by reducing energy loss in the framing systems. Steve St. Pierre and Kurt Miglas from Ensinger explain how thermal breaks and convection breaking technologies can dramatically reduce heat loss through the aluminum frames. They’re playing a huge role in keeping us connected to the outside world!
What is the connection between architecture and music? Can simple changes in a design improve the occupant’s dignity as well as their comfort? How did good design bring families of former prison inmates closer together and lower recidivism? In this extraordinary episode, Joe speaks with James Garrett Jr., an award-winning architect from 4RM+ULA in St. Paul, MN. James talks about his journey, his influences, and his design philosophy in this engaging and inspiring episode. This is a must hear episode for people who love architecture and want to learn more about design as a force for change!
Patrick Flannery is a journalist with Glass Canada Magazine. He has his finger on the pulse of the glass and glazing industry and he pulls no punches when he talks about the state of that industry. Joe and Patrick enjoy a lively discussion about topics like the 30% window to wall ratio and the general micromanagement of design through modern codes. Patrick also gets us up to speed on the many actions the industry is taking to reduce embodied carbon as well as operating carbon and of course, the actions being taken to improve occupant comfort, health and safety.
Nothing makes you appreciate natural light like removing a lot of it from your life! Paula Longato moved from Sao Paulo, Brasil to Berlin, Germany in 2006 to study architectural lighting design. The dramatic change in the amount of sunlight she experienced opened her eyes to the importance of daylight. She ended up doing her thesis on daylighting in office spaces. In this episode, Paula helps us to understand the process of designing for the interplay between natural light and artificial light. Joe and Paula talk about “the 24 things everyone should learn about daylight” from aboutdaylight.org. Paula also speaks passionately about our need to connect with the natural world and how potential premiums associated with providing those connections are far outweighed by the long-term health, well-being and productivity of building occupants.
In this episode, Joe discusses the impact of natural and artificial light on human health and well-being with Jennifer Brons, the research director from the Mount Sinai Light and Health Center. She explains the importance of natural light for adolescents and provides strategies for improving lighting in schools. Jennifer also discusses the interplay between natural and artificial light and the research being done to optimize lighting design. Tune in for insights on alertness and performance in relation to lighting and learn about the work being done with government agencies to improve the lighted environment. Jennifer will also highlight the online certificate course in light and human health and the collaboration with the American Lighting Association to develop better lighting products for homes.
Lisa Heschong is a legend in the world of sustainable and human-centered design. She has been promoting the value of daylighting for more than 40 years and developed the now universally accepted “Spatial Daylight Autonomy” methodology. In this amazing episode, Lisa talks about her early years as one of the lone voices promoting human-centered design as well as energy efficiency. She talks about the latest research related to the value of views and the potential correlation between the myopia epidemic and a shortage of natural light in schools and buildings occupied by children. Every architect and building owner should listen to this episode!
In this episode, Joe interviews Megan Sykes, the energy manager for Sobeys, one of the largest grocery retailers in Canada. Megan shares her perspective on what makes a great building, and discusses her background and role within Sobeys, as well as, the company's commitment to reducing emissions and their comprehensive Climate Action Plan. She also highlights the importance of connecting shoppers to natural light in retail spaces and explores new technologies for sustainable design. Megan emphasizes the value of networking and community engagement in staying current on new technologies. The conversation also covers energy efficiency, cost considerations, government incentives, and collaboration in the green building industry. Finally, she invites listeners to the Build Green Atlantic Conference.
Chris Ballard is the CEO of Passive House Canada. Chris helps us to understand Canada’s role in creating the modern passive house standards and how those standards were driven by logic and common sense. Listen to this episode to understand how Passive House standards provide design freedom while ensuring the creation of energy efficient, comfortable, healthy homes and buildings. You will also hear how Passive House Canada is leading the way in adding embodied carbon goals to Passive House’s famous operating standards. Chris is passionate, articulate, and 100% laser focused on creating Better Buildings for Humans!
Christoph Reinhart is one of the most respected people in the world of building science. Dr. Reinhart leads the sustainable design lab at MIT. He is a managing member at Harvard Spinoff Solemma and co-founder of MIT spinoff mapdwell. He is a physicist by training but holds a doctorate in Architecture from the University of Karlsruhe. In other words, he’s a building science rockstar! In this episode we hear Christoph talk about ultra-fast daylight simulation tools, the interpretation of daylight metrics (yes you can reach different conclusions with the same data), urban building energy models (UBEM), automated floor plan generation, daylighting with light diffusing glazings, and so much more!
Architecture as Activism? BNIM is an architecture and design firm from Kansas City that has been a leader in sustainable design since 1970. In this episode Joe has a conversation with their Director of Sustainability and Regenerative Design, Jeremy Knoll. Jeremy is passionate, knowledgeable, articulate, optimistic, and full of joy! This is a wonderful episode where the topics range from practical sustainable design to occupant wellness to environmental justice.
Many of our listeners know Adrian Lowenstein from his excellent building envelope videos and his new “All Things Façade” podcast. Adrian is passionate about the need to do proper inspections and testing on building facades - the best designs can still yield poor results if installation is not executed properly. In this episode, he makes the argument that proper installation can be even more powerful than new products. Of course, there is also lots of discussion about technological trends with emphasis on new building envelope technologies.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States