Design for Health
Design and building professionals: you’re on call. Health is not just about the doctors and nurses; interior spaces, buildings, and communities have far-reaching impacts on wellness. Design choices can:
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help prevent mold and moisture issues
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provide fresh air
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ensure access to clean drinking water
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prevent exposure to toxic chemicals
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encourage fitness
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support healthy circadian rhythms
Too often, though, our buildings do the opposite. These articles lay out best practices for health-focused design, based on sound scientific research.
Design for Health
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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The PVC Debate: A Fresh Look
Feature Article
PVC is banned by some green building programs and simply reviled by some groups. How did we get here, and has anything changed since vinyl became the enemy?
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Green Design: What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Feature Article
Beauty, place-making, and even love are motivating many green designers, who see these values complementing core sustainability tenets.
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Can We Replace Foam Insulation?
Feature Article
There are a lot of reasons to avoid foam, but its high performance can make it a hard habit to kick, as designers are finding out.
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Doing Daylighting Right
Feature Article
Harvesting daylight is a popular way to save energy and promote productivity. But getting it wrong is all too easy-and can have the opposite effects.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Building Products and Health: A Look at Risk vs. Hazard
Primer
Use of "hazard avoidance" versus "risk assessment" for understanding toxicity of building materials is hotly debated. Why, and is there a common-sense answer?
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Biophilic Design: Indulging Our Love of Life
Primer
New biophilia metrics pin down what it means to engage the love of nature through design.
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Beyond Accessible: Universal Design for Green Buildings
Primer
By planning ahead for all ages and abilities, designers reduce the need for renovations and may extend building service life.
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Brominated Flame Retardants
Primer
Keeping furnishings, appliances, and building materials from catching fire and burning up is important, but many flame retardants aren't good for us or the environment.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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LBC Projects Get Head Start on WELL Certification
News Brief
Describing how their rating systems complement each other, ILFI and IWBI encourage use of both certifications.
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U.N.: Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Is Urgent Health Priority
News Brief
A report calls for countries to invest 20% of transportation budgets in infrastructure improvements to promote safety and mitigate climate change
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WELL to Be Led by USGBC Founder Rick Fedrizzi
News Brief
USGBC chair Rick Fedrizzi, who led the growth of LEED, will take over leadership of IWBI and its WELL Building Standard later this year.
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GRESB to Track Health Measures for Real Estate Investors
News Brief
Health features may attract tenants or help companies retain talent; now investors will be able to pick real estate portfolios with those advantages.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Polystyrene Chemicals Widespread
Op-Ed
Polystyrene chemicals may be more widespread than most people think.
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Integrate Food Production and Green Building
Op-Ed
Adding local food production to the goals of green building makes sense for the environment and human health.
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Green Design: What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Feature Article
Beauty, place-making, and even love are motivating many green designers, who see these values complementing core sustainability tenets.
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Doing Daylighting Right
Feature Article
Harvesting daylight is a popular way to save energy and promote productivity. But getting it wrong is all too easy-and can have the opposite effects.
Just For Fun
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