Better Buildings For Humans

In this eye-opening episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Dr. Sandra Dedesko—engineer, indoor air expert, and healthy buildings researcher—for a compelling dive into how the air we breathe indoors is shaping our minds. From her work with Harvard’s COGFX studies to her current research in Switzerland, Sandra unpacks how even low levels of CO₂ can subtly impair cognitive function—especially creativity. She shares how indoor air acts as an invisible performance driver, and why better ventilation might be the most underrated upgrade in our built environment. They also explore low-carbon ventilation strategies, wildfire smoke protection, and the powerful role of moisture in building performance. A must-listen for anyone who thinks clearer spaces start with clearer air.

More About Sandra Dedesko:

Sandra works at the intersection of engineering and public health to help improve the health and sustainability impacts of buildings. With a background in civil engineering and building design, Sandra elected to pursue a PhD in public health to better incorporate health into her future work. She recently completed her PhD at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health where her dissertation research focused on the link between buildings and cognitive performance. She's recently started as a scientist at EPFL in Switzerland where she continues to pursue her transdisciplinary research, passion for outdoor sports, and proficiency in French.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-dedesko-835b6657/ 

https://x.com/sdedesko

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In this eye-opening episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski is joined by Ann Sussman and Kelsey Bradley from the Human Architecture and Planning Institute (HAPI.org) to explore the fascinating intersection of architecture, biology, and human emotion. Ann and Kelsey reveal how our brains are hardwired to respond to certain visual cues—like faces, fractals, and even the color red—and how this understanding can revolutionize the way we design buildings and cities. From eye-tracking software that predicts where people look first, to how blank facades might make us feel uneasy, this episode unveils the science behind why some spaces feel better than others. Tune in to discover how embracing our biological instincts can lead to more humane, joyful, and walkable environments.

More About Ann Sussman and Kelsey Bradley

Ann Sussman, RA, an architect, researcher, and teacher is passionate about understanding how buildings impact us. She serves as president of the Human Architecture + Planning Institute, (theHapi.org), a nonprofit devoted to improving the design of the built environment through education and research. Her book Cognitive Architecture, Designing for How We Respond to the Built Environment (Routledge, 2015, 2021) won the 2016 Place Research Award from the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA). She is co-editor of the forthcoming Handbook of Neuroscience and the Built Environment, (Routledge, 2025) due out this summer. Ann has taught a course on the human perception of architecture, Buildings, Biology + the Brain, at the BAC since 2018. 

Kelsey Bradley has been working in the nonprofit space since she founded Design Cause Inc. in 2016. Her work led to the successful completion of 10 new primary and secondary school classrooms across multiple communities in Cameroon and Malawi. Kelsey is now focused on how the built environment impacts mental health at an individual and community scale and is excited to further her interests through the work of The Human Architecture and Planning Institute. Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Thomas Jefferson University and will be entering a graduate program in urban planning in the fall of 2025.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgw/?originalSubdomain=ca

annsussman.com (http://annsussman.com/) 

https://geneticsofdesign.com/2025/05/20/eye-tracking-buildings-in-lisbon-boston-take-part-in-a-quick-pilot-study/

theHapi.org.

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Philip Galway-Witham, Senior Associate and Resilience Leader at Gensler Toronto, for a powerful deep-dive into climate resilience in architecture. Philip shares his global upbringing, what drew him to sustainable design, and how resilience planning is becoming an essential response to our rapidly changing climate. From wildfires and urban heat islands to rising sea levels and failing power grids, this episode explores how extreme weather is reshaping our buildings—and how design can push back. Philip also unveils insights from Gensler’s Global Climate Action Survey and how those findings are influencing planning from the city level to individual buildings. A must-listen for anyone invested in building design that truly meets the moment and the future.

More About Phil Galway-Witham:

As Gensler’s Northeast Regional Resilience Leader, Philip Galway-Witham has been instrumental in the rollout of the Gensler Product Sustainability (GPS) Standards. Since joining Gensler in 2019, he has worked on a number of complex projects across aviation, life sciences, developer sciences, and CASPA practice areas. Alongside his work in providing sustainability best practice, technical expertise, and stewardship on large-scale master planning, Galway-Witham is engaged in building tools, calculators, and workflows to embed resilience and sustainability into each project. He also serves as the Office Practice Area leader for the Climate Action & Sustainability practice area.

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski is joined by Lauren Ferguson from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health for a riveting deep dive into the unseen forces shaping our indoor environments. Lauren unpacks her journey from biochemistry to environmental engineering and her groundbreaking work modeling childhood pollution exposure in London. The conversation spans wildfire smoke infiltration, the silent threat of PM2.5, and why ventilation might just be our best defense. Plus, hear why Lauren believes you “can’t buy your way out of bad environmental conditions,” and why indoor air quality could be the next frontier in mental health research. With insights into the delicate dance between energy efficiency and human health, this episode challenges how we think about buildings—from private homes to public schools.

More About Lauren Ferguson

Lauren Ferguson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Healthy Buildings Program. Lauren holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from University College London (UCL), UK, where she built a personal exposure model which estimated childhood exposure to PM2.5 for 1.3 million individuals in Greater London. The tool can be used to assess a number of “soft” (for example, behavioral modifications) and “hard” (for example, building interventions) policy interventions on childhood exposure to air pollution.

Lauren’s interests lie in using building physics and statistical models to assess population-level exposures to indoor environmental hazards, such as heat and air pollution, and understanding how these exposures lead to health impacts and inequalities. In addition to her doctoral research, she has applied these techniques to study population exposure to household air pollution in Nairobi’s informal settlements and predict the extent of indoor overheating the UK housing stock may face under future climate scenarios. The goal of her work with the Healthy Buildings Program is to continue her research into indoor heat, where she will be building a US-based housing stock model.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-ferguson-55b178100/ 

https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/lauren-ferguson/ 

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Tim Rossi, founder and CEO of Architectural Medicine, for a compelling conversation on how our buildings influence more than just our physical health—they shape our emotional and psychological well-being too. Tim shares his journey through sustainable design, the genesis of “architectural medicine,” and how this emerging field integrates concepts from architecture and healthcare to support human health in the built environment. From mold and VOCs to the power of daylight and the exposome, this episode dives deep into the science of how spaces affect us. Plus, discover how Tim’s ARXmed platform aims to revolutionize healthy building inspections and bridge the gap between architecture and medicine. A must-listen for anyone passionate about people-centered design.More About Tim Rossi

Timothy D. Rossi is the founder of Architectural Medicine LLC and has worked in the fields of

healthy, green, and sustainable architecture for almost three decades. From his days as an

architectural engineering student to his current role as CEO of Architectural Medicine, he has

continued to seek and develop systems and solutions supporting health and wellness in the

built environment.

He has authored two books, Architectural Medicine®, published in 2020, and The Architectural

Doctor®, published in 2022. His current focus includes the development of ARxMD®, the

Architectural Medicine Software Solution, and continuing his work on the Architectural

Medicine System (AMS). This system bridges the fields of healthcare and architecture for

occupant health and wellness.

Currently based in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, he enjoys taking landscape photography

and playing music when he is not working and writing. He also enjoys playing sports and

volunteering with local and national organizations, from health IT to sports organizations.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothydrossi/ 

https://x.com/ArchMedicine

https://architecturalmedicine.com/ 

https://architecturalmedicine.com/architectural-medicine-software-solution/ 

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski dives into the dynamic world of retail design with Eric Daniel, Design Principal and Creative Director at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, and Rich Glenny, Retail Design Leader at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting. Together, they unravel the layered nuances of designing spaces where commerce meets culture—and how constraints breed creativity.

Eric and Rich share their journeys through the high-stakes world of retail architecture, dissecting the tension between "Big A" architecture and "Little A" design, and what really makes a store not just functional but memorable. From lighting and layout to storytelling and emotional resonance, this episode is a deep dive into how retail spaces shape behavior and brand loyalty.

If you've ever wondered how design choices drive sales—and experiences—this episode is your blueprint.

More About Eric Daniel and Rich Glenny

https://www.littleonline.com/

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Peter Pescatore, Global Commercial Lead at Cabot Corporation, for a deep dive into one of the most fascinating materials in building science: aerogel. Often called "frozen smoke," this super-light, ultra-insulating material has captivated engineers and designers for decades—but is still flying under the radar in mainstream construction.

Peter breaks down how aerogel works on a microscopic level, its unique ability to diffuse daylight while achieving R values up to four times higher than traditional insulation (with a U-value as low as 0.28 W/m²K), and its surprisingly diverse use cases—from heritage building retrofits to electric vehicle batteries. They also explore the role aerogel can play in the circular economy and its fire-resistant properties.

If you’re passionate about next-gen materials, thermal comfort, or simply want to future-proof your designs, this one’s a must-listen.

CONTACT:

 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cabot-corporation

https://www.facebook.com/CabotCorporation/

https://twitter.com/CabotCorp

https://www.youtube.com/@cabotcorp

https://vimeo.com/cabotcorporation

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-pescatore-ba2baa/

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Nathan Stadola, Chief Engineer at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), to unravel the mystery behind one of the world's fastest-growing building certifications: WELL. Nathan, a former street accordionist turned wellness standards pioneer, brings his vibrant energy and deep technical knowledge to a rapid-fire breakdown of the 10 core concepts behind WELL V2—from air quality to community connection.

Together, Joe and Nathan dive into what truly makes a building healthy, how WELL differs from other certifications, and why verification matters more than ever. They even explore whether the standard favors urban spaces and how buildings can adapt in rural or suburban contexts. If you’ve ever wondered how to design spaces that don’t just look good but feel good, this episode is your blueprint.

More About Nathan Stodola

Nathan Stodola leads the standard development team and serves as Chief Engineer at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). In this role, he maintains, enhances, and expands the strategies in the WELL Building Standard to promote health and well-being, with a particular focus on air quality, thermal comfort, and sound. Prior to working at IWBI, Nathan worked at the University Transportation Research Council at City College, where he helped the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council create regional transportation plans. Nathan holds Master of Science degrees in mechanical engineering (Columbia University) and transportation engineering (City College). In his spare time, he enjoys playing accordion and finding new bike routes in the greater New York City area.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-stodola-b5948a9/

https://resources.wellcertified.com/people/staff/nathan-stodola/

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Shawn Houghtling and Bryce Jarman of RH Carter Architects—industry leaders in the art and science of automotive retail design. With a 40-year legacy and partnerships with 17 automotive brands, RH Carter has helped shape the modern dealership experience across Canada.

Shawn and Bryce pull back the curtain on what makes a dealership not just functional, but unforgettable. They explore how architecture supports brand identity, enhances customer experience, and even builds community. From managing complex traffic flows to integrating natural light with Solera® panels for improved occupant well-being, this episode highlights the often-overlooked brilliance of retail design done right.

If you’re an architect, designer, or simply fascinated by how space influences behavior, this one’s for you!

More About Shawn Houghtling and Bryce Jarman

As a Principal at RH Carter Architects Inc. Shawn oversees several National and International Retail Facility Image Programs within the Canadian market. Working across Canada requires extensive travel and the implementation of various design strategies that achieve both corporate branding initiatives as well as addressing local architectural/structural requirements. The ability to work effectively and collaboratively with local architectural and building consultants is paramount to the success of each program as well as the administration and review of construction documents.

As a Junior Associate at RH Carter Architects Inc., Bryce has gained experience as an

Architectural Designer in many different national design programs. Developing and presenting concept designs to retailers across Canada has provided Bryce the opportunity to gain a strong understanding of retailer needs as well as manufacturer image programs and requirements. After taking time to learn the programs and the industry, he was given the opportunity to be the Program Manager of the Ford and Lincoln programs. During this time, Bryce worked with Ford of Canada, and the retailer network, and coordinated the RH Carter team internally to ensure the success of the design programs across the country now and moving in the future.

CONTACT:

https://www.rhcarter.com/team/shawn-houghtling

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-houghtling-oaa-mraic-a7643110/ 

https://www.rhcarter.com/team/bryce-jarman 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-jarman-8b281b2b9 

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In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back Michael Kent from the Singapore University of Social Sciences. As the very first guest of the podcast, Michael’s groundbreaking work in building science helped inspire the show itself. Now, he returns to dive deep into an overlooked yet crucial aspect of building design: view clarity.

Michael unpacks his latest research on how the quality of our view—beyond just having a window—affects our well-being, productivity, and even social equity. He breaks down the three key components of view clarity: obstructions, content, and the observer. Plus, he reveals surprising insights on how electrochromic glass, shades, and even our age impact what we perceive through a window.

If you're an architect, designer, or anyone passionate about human-centric spaces, this conversation is a must-listen!

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