Better buildings and your health
Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D., recently noted here that “building the body from the inside out is exactly like building a house. You can frame the house with the cheapest materials possible, or you can invest in high quality materials that are going to be energy efficient and last a really long time.” I am in complete agreement with Dr. Hyman; start with quality materials and you will likely end up with a quality product. That said, building design is the other critical aspect to consider when thinking about a healthy home and workplace.
what makes a better building
Quality materials are important, though frankly, a better building method is paramount. Having worked with Passive House for a number of years, I can say Passive House buildings fit my definition of better buildings. The Passive House building method creates exceptionally healthy and comfortable indoor spaces, saves energy, and reduces carbon emissions – by a significant amount.
Health benefits: passive house
The benefits are numerous, including increased user comfort, a significant decrease in indoor air pollution, no dust mites or mould, and places that are very, very quiet! People are asking for better quality homes, work, and play areas, and Passive House buildings are considered the world’s most energy efficient, healthy, comfortable, and affordable by way of:
a) A permanently comfortable indoor climate: there are no drafty areas, and during the winter the construction concepts keep the heat in the house – and keep it out during the summer.
b) Constant fresh air: a ventilation system constantly supplies fresh air, making for excellent indoor air quality
c) Negligible heating costs: the vast energy savings are a result of superior energy efficient building components coupled with a quality ventilation system
d) Simple to use, durable systems less susceptible to faults offer a substantial reduction in operating costs over the lifetime of the building.
your environment
Consideration of your environment also means looking at the place(s) you spend the bulk of your days and nights in. Are they comfortable? Are they healthy in terms of mould, dust, and air quality? The spaces you occupy should be crafted with care, with quality materials and, frankly, better building design. A Passive House building offers these benefits, and almost anything can be built or renovated to this standard: a home, office tower, hospital, swimming pool complex, school…you name it!
other resources
There are a number of resources available that provide credible information on better buildings and Passive House: