DiscoverBetter Buildings For Humans“Let There Be Light—Or Else: Why Denying Daylight Is Costing Us Our Health” – Ep 108 with Dr. Lorne Whitehead
“Let There Be Light—Or Else: Why Denying Daylight Is Costing Us Our Health” – Ep 108 with Dr. Lorne Whitehead

“Let There Be Light—Or Else: Why Denying Daylight Is Costing Us Our Health” – Ep 108 with Dr. Lorne Whitehead

Update: 2025-10-15
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This week on Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski explores the brilliant intersection of physics, daylighting, and human well-being with Dr. Lorne Whitehead of the University of British Columbia. A physicist, inventor, and serial entrepreneur, Lorne shares how a lucky mistake in grade nine launched a lifelong journey into the science of light. From pioneering daylighting systems and launching tech startups to enhancing human health with spectral design, Lorne’s work has quietly reshaped the way we experience buildings, screens, and even greenhouses. With wit and wisdom, he unpacks the power of “enlightened compromise” in building design—and why the sun might be our most underutilized wellness tool. Tune in to discover how light, innovation, and thoughtful design converge to make our buildings not just smarter, but better for humans.


More About Dr. Lorne Whitehead 

Dr. Lorne Whitehead is the University of British Columbia’s Special Advisor on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Research and a professor in the Department of

Physics and Astronomy. He has held several administrative positions including

Associate Dean, Dean pro tem, VP Academic & Provost and Leader of Education

Innovation. He holds over 150 US patents that find application in computer

screens, televisions and lighting products and has launched seven spin-off

companies. He received a Ph.D. in Physics from UBC and has considerable

experience in technological, business and administrative innovation. From 1983

to 1993 he served as CEO of TIR Systems, a UBC spin-off company that grew to

200 employees before being acquired by a multinational corporation.


Contact:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorne-whitehead-36831622a/?trk=public_profile_browsemap&originalSubdomain=ca 


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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

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“Let There Be Light—Or Else: Why Denying Daylight Is Costing Us Our Health” – Ep 108 with Dr. Lorne Whitehead

“Let There Be Light—Or Else: Why Denying Daylight Is Costing Us Our Health” – Ep 108 with Dr. Lorne Whitehead

BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and brought to you by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.