Healthy building consultant

Building issues such as loud HVAC equipment, improperly insulated spaces, or an excess of hard interior surfaces in areas with regularly high densities of occupants (and their conversations), can all contribute to poor acoustics and occupant discomfort. Human exposure to unfavorable noises and improperly regulated acoustics has a tangible impact on mental wellbeing, concentration and focus. It’s not going to send you to an early grave perhaps but it can create a consistent, low-level anxiety and stress that accumulates over time. Careful acoustic planning, the integration of acoustic materials and other strategies help to mitigate these risks.

A design strategy that promotes small yet cumulatively significant opportunities for movement in building occupants. This could include appealingly designed stairwells, point of decision signage prompts beside lift doors, standing desks and a rooftop meeting space that can accommodate walking meetings, for example.

Any form of micro-mobility used to get to and from a place of work, such as walking, jogging, cycling and e-scooters. Landlords, developers and architects now need to bake in adequate facilities to cater to the needs of these active commuters, from access ramps to secure storage areas, lockers, showers cycle clinics, share e-bike schemes and so on. We are accredited Active Travel Score professionals!

Antimicrobials are chemical agents added to products such as disinfectants to hinder the growth of microbes such as viruses, bacteria and mold. Human exposure through inhalation or the skin can cause health issues such as respiratory problems, while overuse can lead to bacterial resistance, causing excess growth of unhealthy bacteria on surfaces and in homes. Antibacterials are a sub-group of antimicrobials that also negatively impact indoor air quality and are to be avoided in the pursuit of a truly healthy indoor environment. Nota Bene: natural antioxidant materials are an exception to this rule, such as a cork yoga mat, for example.

A design strategy that mimics patterns, shapes, forms or processes found in nature to increase efficiency, solve complex problems and inform design decisions. The underlying concept is that nature has a lot of the answers if only we knew the right questions to ask. Examples include velcro, pro swimsuits and the shape of turbines.

Design that leverages the innate human desire to connect with natural surroundings, in this case by bringing the outside world into the build environment through architecture, interiors and product design. Our particular definition of this concept integrates sustainability and wellbeing, the health of planet and people, with nature as the bridge that binds the two ideas together in one synergistic concept.

A smart lighting system that combines timers with changes to the emitted light colour in order to simulate the natural ebb and flow of daylight and darkness in a 24-hr cycle, ideally adjusted according to season and location. This equates to brighter, blue-white light in the mornings and daytime to stimulate cognitive performance, before fading steadily to warmer, amber hues in the evenings so as to promote the production of our natural melatonin hormone that ensures healthy sleep later on at night.

A design philosophy that focuses on closed loops, keeping materials and products at their highest value for as long as possible while encouraging recycling and reuse to avoid waste - i.e. minimizing all externalities that inevitably have a negative impact on the environment. This concept is part of the Circular Economy that promotes a transition to renewable energy and materials, the elimination of waste and pollution and a regeneration of nature.

An odorless, colorless and toxic gas that results from combustion. Exposure to high levels will result in dizziness, cognitive impairment and eventually unconsciousness. Indoor CO levels should remain below 9ppm according to the RESET Air Standard.

High Carbon Dioxide levels in indoor air can impair decision making by up to 50% when found at 1400-1500 ppm compared to optimal levels of under 800 ppm ppm (source: RESET Air standard). For this reason, CO2 levels are a fundamental data point in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring. The RESET Air high performance target for CO2 is not to exceed 600ppm.

Over 80,000 chemicals are currently in use in, the vast majority of which are not regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act. Chemicals rapidly made their way into our building materials after the chemical revolution, becoming generally accepted additives that improve building products - without much concern being paid to their environmental or health impacts, until relatively recently.

Linked to reductions in male testosterone, amongst other nasty hormonal risks, these chemicals present in building products include fire retardants, lead, arsenic and mercury as well as perfluorated chemicals.

The use of research and data by healthy building consultants and architects to inform their decisions, resulting in buildings and interiors that leverage scientific thinking for the benefit of people and planet - occupants and environment. This strategy originated in hospitals, arguably where such decisions are most critical but it is now applied to all sectors, for example in the field of biophilic design.

A chemical substance that has the ability to slow or inhibit the spread of fire, causing the product or material such as furniture upholstery to burn more slowly in case of contact with flames. Despite this purported benefit, fire retardants also contain toxicants that are known hormone disruptors, immune system and nervous system problems; they should therefore be excluded from a healthy indoor environment. Instead, for a healthy building interior we can leverage sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, strict no smoking policies and fabrics that are slow to burn.

A building that has taken measures to improve its energy, water and waste efficiency; reduce its use of natural resources generally reduce its environmental, even taking steps to do more good by re-introducing nature via biophilic design, green rooftops and landscaping. Specifically, a green building considers everything from initial site selection, transportation, energy efficiency, water usage, operations and maintenance, waste management, indoor environmental quality and its impact on the local community. See also the USGBC LEED and the UK BREEAM green building standards.

A building that integrates a variety of healthy design, MEP and operations strategies to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of its occupants. These include enhanced indoor air quality, active design, biophilic design, wellness lighting, multi-sensory design, acoustic design, healthy materials and fitness.

Also referred to as healthy interiors, or wellbeing interiors, we define this concept as a combination of air quality, non-toxic material choices, lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort and biophilic design.

Healthy materials for buildings and interiors tend to fall into the category of a natural material such as stone or wood; a bio-based material such as mycelium or clay; or recycled materials such as plastic, glass, coffee or food waste to name a few. Their key characteristic, beyond their sustainability, is to be toxic chemical free, helping to ensure healthy indoor air quality and therefore building occupant wellbeing.

Indoor air is affected by a range of factors such as off-gassing Volatile Organic Compounds, dust and other particulate matter ( PM2.5 / PM10), Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and, indirectly, humidity, and temperature. Wrap all of that up in the context of a building's ventilation, be that natural or mechanical, and if not properly monitored and maintained, poor indoor air quality can be a major factor in Sick Building Syndrome causing fatigue, drowsiness, headaches and scratchy eyes.

A more comprehensive measure than IAQ alone, IEQ incorporates additional factors such as thermal comfort (temperature), olfactory comfort (odors), and visual comfort (glare, visibility, distractions). As such IEQ generally requires multiple data inputs, both qualitative and quantitative, in order to be properly assessed.

Linoleum is made of linseed oil, pine resin and wood flour. After a long period in the shadow of PVC vinyl flooring tiles, it is now seen as a far healthy material than vinyl, especially in hospitals, workplaces and children’s areas. Linoleum does need polishing occasionally to remove stains, meaning it comes with added facilities management requirements.

Particleboard used to make cabinets often contains formaldehyde adhesives and binders that will off-gas over time, negatively impacting Indoor Air Quality. Look for alternatives containing recycled fiber or compressed wheat straw (wheatboard) or simply formaldehyde free MDF. These can then be covered with bamboo plywood, recycled wood or sustainable wood veneer finishes.

Solid or liquid particles found in the air that can be harmful when inhaled, causing respiratory problems especially in those who suffer from asthma. PM2.5 are the smaller combustion and metal particles while PM10 is typically made up of dust, pollen and mold. PM levels in indoor air can impact brain tissue through bioaccumulation over time, associated with increased risk of learning difficulties and dementia (Source: RESET Air standard).

An approach to decision making in healthy buildings and interiors that considers the impacts not just on environmental or human health but on future generations as well. Can be summarized as 'if there is any risk at all, find a healthier alternative'. Better safe than sorry, in other words.

A chemically resistant, highly durable and oh-so-versatile plastic resin that contains many toxic elements that can be harmful to humans, especially children. Commonly found in building elements such as window frames, pipes, roofing membranes and cable and wire insulation. Also known simply as 'vinyl'. Healthy buildings stay well away from the stuff if possible.

The term used in the WELL Healthy building standard to describe wellness interior set-pieces within the wider context of a building, for example a quiet room for meditation and naps, or an ecology room loaded with restorative biophilic design, all with the end goal of providing a place of mental rest and recovery for building occupants, be they workers, students or gym clients.

The polar opposite of a healthy building, symptoms might include headaches, respiratory problems, irritated eyes and sudden fatigue. These symptoms may apply to a whole building or to specific spaces, such as enclosed meetings rooms with poor ventilation. Primarily here the issue is poor indoor air quality due to a lack of ventilation, inadequate air filters and toxic materials off-gassing into the indoor air. An immediate response would be to install air quality monitors in order to help 'see' the air in those areas suspected of being most unhealthy.

How effectively a wall, window or building material blocks sound, i.e. it's effectiveness at sound reduction. So a partition wall with an STC of 30 may not block the transmission of a voice on the other side but one with an STC of 60 would do so very nicely. Especially relevant for residential scenarios, between bedrooms or study spaces where concentration and acoustic planning are of utmost importance for mental wellbeing of the occupants.

The TBL concept refers to People, Planet and Profit, or Environment, Equity and Economics, same difference. TBL thinking creates a healthy balance between environmental, social and economic prosperity and the US Green Building Council's LEED green building standard places this concept at the heart of its purpose.

Don't be misled by the 'organic' part, VOCs are toxic chemicals often introduced into indoor environments via adhesives, paints, coatings, and insulation. The ‘organic’ refers to the presence of carbon, often from petrochemicals in the material. When inhaled, VOCs can cause serious respiratory health problems for building occupants and therefore negatively impact Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). One of the primary data points measured by indoor air monitors. Common VOCs include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and styrene. Long-term exposure to VOCs can cause damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.

An umbrella term most commonly used in the US for real estate developments focused on the long-term health and wellness of residents within a building or community, typically combining smart buildings, active design, healthy design and biophilic design strategies, amongst many others. See the WELL Building Standard and, as a real world example, the Serenbe wellness communities in the USA.