Wellness in Buildings
Wellness in buildings requires a focus on occupants’ health and well-being through good design. Material health is one sliver of the pie but not the whole circle: building professionals also need to focus on moisture issues, ample ventilation, water quality and access, active design, and lighting that supports health.
Wellness in Buildings
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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A Chemical Database and Discussion Group in One
News Brief
The Chemical Hazard Data Commons is a resource on toxic chemicals for geeks and newbies alike.
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Case Study: Structure Tone Headquarters, New York, NY
News Analysis
Well-being at Work: The first WELL-certified project in New York City supports employee health and promotes collaboration.
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New Report Helps Leverage the Overlap between WELL and LEED
News Analysis
IWBI’s new guidance reduces documentation for projects pursuing dual certification.
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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.
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
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
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