Better Buildings For Humans

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Liz McCormick, an assistant professor of architecture at UNC Charlotte, to explore the critical connection between human health and building design. Liz shares her fascinating journey from practicing architecture to becoming a professor, delving into her research on sustainable design and climate-resistant architecture. They discuss her book, Inside Out: Human Health and the Air-Conditioning Era, which questions the modern disconnect between buildings and nature, and makes a case for designing healthier environments. Liz also highlights her innovative malaria-resistant housing project in Tanzania, her forward-thinking courses at UNC Charlotte, and her approach to creating dynamic spaces that enhance occupant well-being. This episode is packed with insights on the future of building design and its impact on human health.

About Liz McCormick 

Assistant Professor of Architecture at UNC Charlotte, Liz McCormick is a licensed architect, educator, and researcher whose work explores healthy, climatically sensitive, and contextually appropriate building design strategies that connect occupants to the outdoors while also reducing the dependence on mechanical conditioning technologies. She is currently working on her first book, Inside OUT (Routledge), which brings together a multi-disciplinary group of experts of the indoors, including scientists, anthropologists, engineers and architects, to discuss the future of human habitation with a dominant focus on human health in a post-pandemic world. Inside OUT will share a rich story of both the social and technological drivers of the conditioned indoors while making an argument for thoughtful interventions in the built environment. This book was inspired by the Inside l OUT Symposium that McCormick organized and moderated in Charlotte in March 2022.  

McCormick is also a LEED Accredited Professional and a Certified Passive House Consultant. With more than 10 years of experience as a practicing architect, she has worked on a variety of project scales from single-family passive houses to LEED-certified commercial office buildings and campuses. In addition to teaching, McCormick is also pursuing a PhD in Design at North Carolina State University. She completed her MS in Building Technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as BAs in architecture and fine arts from the Rhode Island School of Design.

CONTACT:

https://idrl.charlotte.edu/liz-mccormick/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-mccormick-5a447512

https://www.instagram.com/liz_and_her_bs 

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

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Heidi J. Ellsworth, a roofing industry veteran with over 30 years of experience. Heidi is the president of RoofersCoffeeShop® and founder of HJE Consulting, and a driving force behind National Women in Roofing (NWIR). Together, they explore Heidi’s journey, from working with major companies like Malarkey Roofing and EagleView Technologies to shaping the future of the roofing industry through innovative digital platforms. Heidi discusses the evolution of Roofers Coffee Shop, which provides contractors with education, forums, and classified ads, and shares insights into sustainability, the roofing industry's adaptation to energy codes, and her passion for collaboration and networking. This episode offers valuable lessons on roofing, sustainability, and the power of community for anyone interested in the built environment.

Tune in to learn how Heidi’s work is influencing both the roofing world and broader building design trends!

About Heidi Ellsworth

Heidi J. Ellsworth has worked in the roofing industry since 1993 and has held positions with Malarkey Roofing, Carlisle Construction Materials and EagleView Technologies.  She is currently a partner and president of RoofersCoffeeShop® and owner of HJE Consulting. She is also one of the founders of National Women in Roofing (NWIR).  She served as chairperson for the first two years of the association and in 2020 was awarded the WORLD Award.

Working with both RoofersCoffeeShop and HJE Consulting, she currently focuses on supporting overall marketing strategies, sales success and content development for companies and associations within the roofing and metal construction industries.  With a passion for networking and win-win-win scenarios, she continues to provide consulting and progressive digital advertising opportunities for companies and associations building strong collaborations for business profitability and success.  

CONTACT:

www.rooferscoffeeshop.com

www.linkedin.com/in/hjellsworth

https://www.instagram.com/rooferscoffeeshop/

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

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with David Bruce Lee and Marina Bourderonnet, Founding Partners of FAME Architecture & Interior Design and co-hosts of The Second Studio Design & Architecture Show, a top-ten design podcast. With over 13 years of experience, David and Marina share their journey from working in New York on custom homes and high-rises to establishing their own firm. They dive into their design philosophy, emphasizing the deep connection between lifestyle and architecture, and how their unique client questionnaire helps bring out the essence of each individual in their projects. They also explore how their architectural work mirrors the fluidity of music composition and discuss their approach to creating spaces that reflect their clients’ personalities, not just functional needs.

Tune in for insights into the creative process and to learn how FAME is reimagining modern living spaces!

More about David Bruce Lee and Marina Bourderonnet

David Bruce Lee, Founding Partner of FAME Architecture & Interior Design and Host of The Second Studio Design & Architecture Show

David is a Founding Partner of FAME Architecture & Interior Design, an office specializing in custom modern and contemporary residences. His 13 years of professional experience includes custom homes, luxury high-rises, towers, and other buildings across several countries. He is a Registered Architect in the States of California, Nevada, and New York and holds a Master of Urban Design from the City College of New York under the directorship of Michael Sorkin; a Bachelor of Architecture and a Minor in Sustainable Environments with Honors from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; and a diploma in music and architecture from Les Ecoles d'Art Américaines de Fontainebleau, France. David's work has been displayed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and The Museum of the City of New York. He taught architecture, interior design, and urban design at the collegiate level, has lectured at various professional and academic conferences, and co-hosts the Second Studio Architecture & Design Show, a top-ten design podcast.

Marina Bourderonnet, Founding Partner of FAME Architecture & Interior Design and Host of The Second Studio Design & Architecture Show

Marina is a Founding Partner of FAME Architecture & Interior Design, an office specializing in custom modern and contemporary residences. Her 13 years of professional experience includes custom beachfront homes, a mid-rise luxury condominium building, restaurants, cafes, and health facilities. She is a Registered Architect in the State of New York, a Designer, and a LEED Green Associate and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from l'Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris Val-de-Seine; is trained in sculpture, life drawing, and art history from l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts; and studied film photography and architecture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Marina's work has been published in the Architect's Newspaper Interiors and the Brooklyn Gallery. She co-hosts the Second Studio Architecture & Design podcast, a top-ten design podcast.

CONTACT:

https://www.famearchitects.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fame_architects/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjLfSZ7t_nGco7GlcT6X41w

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bruce-lee-18b0a329 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-bourderonnet-1a95813b/en

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

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski is joined by Maya Crowne, CEO, and Price Latimer, CCO, co-founders of Alkemis Paint, to dive into the revolutionary world of sustainable design and wellness-focused building materials. Together, they explore how Alkemis Paint, the world’s first wellness paint, is redefining what it means to create healthy living spaces. From Maya's journey from Wall Street to entrepreneurship, and Price’s rich background in art and design, they share their passion for eliminating petrochemical-based paints and microplastics from our homes and commercial spaces. Learn how their mineral-based, cradle-to-cradle certified paint not only enhances wellness but also lasts longer and is naturally anti-mold and UV-resistant. This inspiring conversation is a must-listen for architects, designers, and anyone interested in the future of healthy, sustainable buildings.

Tune in to hear how Alkemis is changing the game in sustainable design!

CONTACT:

https://www.pricelatimer.com/projects/alkemis-paint https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-crowne-16361510/         https://www.linkedin.com/in/price-latimer/                          https://www.instagram.com/mayacrowne/               https://www.instagram.com/plexicondevil/?hl=en

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

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Alpha Arsano, Assistant Professor of Architecture at Northeastern University, for a fascinating discussion about the future of buildings in a warming world. Alpha shares insights from her research on thermal comfort and climate-responsive design, offering a fresh perspective on how buildings can adapt to the needs of both occupants and the environment.

With innovative tools like the web-based Klima Plus, she reveals the potential for integrating passive strategies, such as natural ventilation, to reduce energy use while enhancing occupant comfort. Alpha also explores the importance of cultural context in design, pushing us to rethink how we approach sustainability and occupant well-being across the globe. If you’re ready to learn how architecture can rise to the challenges of climate change, tune in now!

More About Alpha Arsano:

Alpha Arsano is an Assistant Professor of Architecture in the Built Environment at Northeastern University. She earned a SMArchS and a Ph.D. in building technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she was a Presidential Fellow and recipient of the TODA Award. Her research work has been funded by the TATA foundation and the MIT Energy Initiative. Before joining MIT, Arsano was an academic fellow at Transsolar Energietechnik, a climate engineering consultancy in Stuttgart, Germany, and interned at the architectural firm Allmann Sattler Wappner in Munich.

Born and raised in Ethiopia, Arsano’s research and teaching explore strategies to maximize low-energy, equitable bioclimatic building strategies in current and future climatic conditions. She studies the potential of low-carbon systems in buildings, thermal comfort and health of occupants, and the effect of climate change with a focus on the majority world. In addition, Arsano developed a digital design tool, ClimaPlus, to promote building design that integrates bioclimatic strategies with technology to reduce energy consumption in pursuit of a more sustainable and healthier environment. This simple web-app has been used to reach a MOOC course on edX for over 50,000 learners.

CONTACT:

https://camd.northeastern.edu/people/alpha-yacob-arsano/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alpha-yacob-arsano/

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

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, we’re joined by Adam Muggleton, host of the Edifice Complex podcast and Chief Technical Officer at AESG, to discuss the critical need for change in the building industry. Adam pulls no punches as he dives into the rampant defects, lack of innovation, and corner-cutting practices that plague the sector. He also explores how we can spotlight great work and role models, rethink the RFP process, and tackle social housing.

From carbon accounting to zero defects and indoor environmental quality, Adam shares his passion for improving building performance and mentoring the next generation of engineers. If you're ready to rethink what’s possible in building design, tune in!

Where to Find Adam:

www.aesg.comwww.linkedin.com/in/adammuggleton

www.twitter.com/BLDWhisperer

www.bldwhisperer.com

http://www.edificecomplexpodcast.com/

Adam Muggleton is Chief Technical Officer at AESG and has been immersed in property development and building systems performance for 40 years. Having worked in 21 countries and held leadership positions at several firms, Adam has a unique perspective from convergent experience in property development, design team  management, project management, and building commissioning.Adam has worked at respected firms such as ARUP USA (commissioning T4 at JFK NYC, USA) and spent six years as a property development manager at M3 Consulting in the UK.

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

In this insightful episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with David Heinzerling, Principal at Taylor Engineers and the head of an ASHRAE subcommittee on decarbonization. They explore David's career in HVAC engineering and delve into the pressing need for decarbonization in the built environment.

David shares key insights from the upcoming decarbonization guide, discussing the process of planning, the trade-offs involved, and the alignment with other certification programs. They also touch on the critical role of occupant comfort and health, innovative thermal energy storage solutions, and strategies for generating electricity in tall buildings with limited roof area.

Discover how a well-designed building can balance performance (cost, energy, carbon emissions) with soft aspects (beauty, community, inclusivity) to create spaces that inspire and sustain.

Tune in to learn more about how to make buildings that are not only efficient but also enhance the well-being of their occupants.

More About David:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-heinzerling-pe-4b233835/

https://www.taylorengineers.com

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

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Dr. Jennifer Veitch, a leading expert in environmental psychology and current President of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). With over 30 years of research at the National Research Council of Canada, Dr. Veitch delves into the profound impact of light on our health, mood, and performance. In this episode, she shares her journey through groundbreaking research on how lighting quality and control can enhance occupant well-being and productivity, and discusses her vision for the CIE's future. Dr. Veitch also emphasizes the importance of natural light in our daily lives, addressing common misconceptions about artificial lighting. Whether you're an architect, building manager, or simply passionate about creating healthier spaces, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the power of light in shaping our built environment.

More About Dr. Jennifer Veitch:

Dr. Jennifer Veitch serves as the President of the CIE for the 2023-2027 term. She is a psychological scientist with expertise in environmental psychology, and has been a Research Officer at the National Research Council of Canada since 1992.

Dr. Veitch investigates interactions of people and their physical environments, including lighting quality and light source effects on performance, mood, and health. Her research is published in scientific journals and also influences recommendations and standards through the CIE, ISO, and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). Dr. Veitch is a Fellow of national and international associations in lighting and psychology. She received the Waldram Gold Pin for Applied Illuminating Engineering from the CIE in 2011 and the IES Medal Award in 2018.

CONTACT:

ca.linkedin.com/in/jenniferveitch/ https://x.com/JenniferVeitch1

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/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, we’re joined by Patrick Crabbe, Director of Mass Timber at Bird Construction, to explore the game-changing potential of mass timber in modern construction. Patrick dives deep into how this innovative material not only reduces embodied carbon but also offers surprising fire resistance, thanks to its natural charring properties. He also shares how the biophilic benefits of wood in interior design can enhance occupant well-being and productivity. With insights into moisture management and sustainable forestry practices, Patrick sheds light on the crucial steps for ensuring long-term success in mass timber projects. Plus, get an inside look at the groundbreaking mass timber manufacturing facility in Nova Scotia that’s set to revolutionize the industry.

More About Patrick: 

Patrick Crabbe is the Director of Mass Timber at Bird Construction, a publicly traded commercial, residential and industrial conglomerate, recognized as one of the top 3 General Contractors in Canada. With a dedicated career in developing markets for high-value structural wood products and collaborating with industry stakeholders, Patrick possesses a comprehensive understanding of construction contract methods and supply chain solutions for successfully executing large and complex mass timber building programs.

In addition to his role at Bird Construction, Patrick is also the leader of a $215 million Mass Timber Manufacturing start-up, known as the Mass Timber Company (MTC). Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, MTC will be one of the worlds most advanced, sawmill-integrated, glulam and CLT manufacturers with an annual capacity of 50,000m3 of production per year ~ 2.5 million ft2 of incremental construction capacity annually.

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

This week on the 50th Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Eric Corey Freed, a pioneer in regenerative and restorative design! Eric shares his insights on sustainability in architecture, introducing innovative concepts like regenerative design, carbon smart design, and circular economies. Together, they explore how these ideas can reshape the built environment and our relationship with it. Eric also delves into his revolutionary idea of "prostruction"—growing building materials through synthetic biology—while emphasizing the impact of natural light on occupant well-being. From rethinking how we construct to leveraging the power of materials, this episode will inspire anyone passionate about transforming the future of buildings.

More About Eric: 

https://www.cannondesign.com/people/eric-corey-freedhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/organicarchitect/

Eric Corey Freed is an award-winning architect, author, and global speaker. As Principal and Director of Sustainability for CannonDesign, he leads the healthcare, education, and commercial teams toward low-carbon, healthy, regenerative buildings for over 30 million square feet a year. For two decades, he was Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT, a visionary design leader in biophilic and regenerative design.

His past roles include Vice President of the International Living Future Institute and Chief Community Officer of EcoDistricts, both nonprofits pushing innovative new paradigms for deep green buildings and communities. He serves on the board of Design Museum Everywhere, whose mission is to “bring the transformative power of design to all.”

Eric is the author of 12 books, including "Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies” and "Circular Economy for Dummies." In 2012, he was named one of the 25 "Best Green Architecture Firms" in the US, and one of the "Top 10 Most Influential Green Architects." In 2017, he was named one of Build's American Architecture Top 25. He holds a prestigious LEED Fellow award from the US Green Building Council.

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