Better Buildings For Humans

BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
  • 5.0 (16)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the BBFH podcast. More often than not, when we think about health and wellness, our thoughts turn to diet and exercise. However, most of us spend two-thirds or more of our day inside buildings. The quality of the environment in those buildings has been proven to have a dramatic impact on our well being and our productivity, both at work and at home. There is little discussion about this in the mainstream media. It’s time to start a public dialogue about how we are affected by the buildings where we live, work and play. Thanks for listening! https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/

  1. Building Hope from Garbage – Why the Future of Sustainable Design Might Look Nothing Like You Expect - Episode 134 with Matthew Panaitz

    3D AGO

    Building Hope from Garbage – Why the Future of Sustainable Design Might Look Nothing Like You Expect - Episode 134 with Matthew Panaitz

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Matt Panaitz, founder of Long Way Home, to explore a remarkable journey where sustainable design meets social impact. What began as a Peace Corps experience evolved into a bold mission: building schools and infrastructure in Guatemala using recycled materials like tires, plastic bottles, and earth. Matt shares how his team transformed waste into opportunity—constructing resilient, comfortable buildings that stay naturally temperate, maximize daylight, and foster a deeper connection between people and place. From hands-on community collaboration to integrating sustainable construction into education, this episode highlights how design can directly combat poverty while empowering future generations. It’s an inspiring conversation about rethinking materials, redefining comfort, and proving that great buildings can change lives far beyond their walls. More About Matthew Panaitz Matthew Paneitz first visited San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala, as a Peace Corps volunteer in 2002. To address the extreme poverty in the region, Matt founded the non-profit organization Long Way Home (LWH) in 2004. From 2008 to 2025, the LWH team transformed 550 tons of trash (including 35,000 used tires) into the Hero School green-built campus. Matthew documented the process at lwhomegreen.org. By spending his evenings earning a Bachelor's degree in Sustainability and a Master’s in Education, Matt was also able to ensure that not only was the landscape transformed, but also the school's approach to primary, middle, and high school education. Matt is currently a doctoral student in Education at Antioch University. CONTACT: https://lwhome.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/long-way-home/ https://www.instagram.com/lwhome_org/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/lwhomeorg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGp4wuyTpyGytkXWSwYX1SA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsVjfPpdzoY 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

    33 min
  2. Cooling the Concrete Jungle – Rethinking Urban Heat and Human Comfort Through Radiant Design - Episode 133 with Dorit Aviv & Eric Teitelbaum

    APR 15

    Cooling the Concrete Jungle – Rethinking Urban Heat and Human Comfort Through Radiant Design - Episode 133 with Dorit Aviv & Eric Teitelbaum

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back Dorit Aviv, joined by Eric Teitelbaum, for a powerful conversation on one of the most urgent—and often overlooked—climate challenges: extreme urban heat. Drawing from their work at the University of Pennsylvania and AIL Research, they unpack how the urban heat island effect disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities and why conventional cooling solutions fall short.Together, they explore an innovative breakthrough—membrane-assisted radiant cooling—and how it reimagines comfort by cooling people directly, not the air around them. From solar-powered cooling shelters to redesigned bus stops, their work blends building science, material innovation, and human-centered design to reduce heat stress in real-world settings. This episode challenges us to rethink how cities can become not just more sustainable—but more livable, equitable, and resilient in a warming world.More About Dorit Aviv and Eric TeitelbaumDorit Aviv, PhD, AIA, is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, where she directs of the Thermal Architecture Lab, a cross-disciplinary laboratory at the intersection of thermodynamics, architecture, and material science. Her work examines synergies between renewable environmental forces and architectural materials and forms to improve energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing. Aviv is a licensed architect and holds a PhD in architectural technology from Princeton University. Her work has been supported by federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Her prototypes for passive and low-energy cooling have won major international awards, including a Holcim Award for Sustainable Design and Construction for a prototype of passive cooling in desert climate in 2021 and a Ramboll Foundation grant to investigate applications of radiant cooling for urban shelters in 2024.Eric Teitelbaum, PhD, is an engineer and educator working at the intersection of architectural systems, thermal comfort, and materials science. With AIL Research Inc., he develops novel technologies that reduce reliance on conventional air conditioning. His research and development efforts have been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDA. A lifelong tinkerer, DIY home renovator, treehouse builder, and inventor of sensors and heat pumps, Eric believes deeply in learning through building with your hands. Most recently, he has focused on developing and commercializing membrane-assisted radiant cooling panels for outdoor thermal comfort as cofounder of the early-stage startup Clearly Cool.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorit-aviv/ https://www.instagram.com/thermal_architecture_lab/https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-teitelbaum-16805bb9/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

    47 min
  3. Cooling the Concrete Jungle – Rethinking Urban Heat and Human Comfort Through Radiant Design - Episode 133 with Dorit Aviv & Eric Teitelbaum

    APR 15

    Cooling the Concrete Jungle – Rethinking Urban Heat and Human Comfort Through Radiant Design - Episode 133 with Dorit Aviv & Eric Teitelbaum

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back Dorit Aviv, joined by Eric Teitelbaum, for a powerful conversation on one of the most urgent—and often overlooked—climate challenges: extreme urban heat. Drawing from their work at the University of Pennsylvania and AIL Research, they unpack how the urban heat island effect disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities and why conventional cooling solutions fall short. Together, they explore an innovative breakthrough—membrane-assisted radiant cooling—and how it reimagines comfort by cooling people directly, not the air around them. From solar-powered cooling shelters to redesigned bus stops, their work blends building science, material innovation, and human-centered design to reduce heat stress in real-world settings. This episode challenges us to rethink how cities can become not just more sustainable—but more livable, equitable, and resilient in a warming world. More About Dorit Aviv and Eric Teitelbaum Dorit Aviv, PhD, AIA, is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, where she directs of the Thermal Architecture Lab, a cross-disciplinary laboratory at the intersection of thermodynamics, architecture, and material science. Her work examines synergies between renewable environmental forces and architectural materials and forms to improve energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing. Aviv is a licensed architect and holds a PhD in architectural technology from Princeton University. Her work has been supported by federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Her prototypes for passive and low-energy cooling have won major international awards, including a Holcim Award for Sustainable Design and Construction for a prototype of passive cooling in desert climate in 2021 and a Ramboll Foundation grant to investigate applications of radiant cooling for urban shelters in 2024. Eric Teitelbaum, PhD, is an engineer and educator working at the intersection of architectural systems, thermal comfort, and materials science. With AIL Research Inc., he develops novel technologies that reduce reliance on conventional air conditioning. His research and development efforts have been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDA. A lifelong tinkerer, DIY home renovator, treehouse builder, and inventor of sensors and heat pumps, Eric believes deeply in learning through building with your hands. Most recently, he has focused on developing and commercializing membrane-assisted radiant cooling panels for outdoor thermal comfort as cofounder of the early-stage startup Clearly Cool. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorit-aviv/  https://www.instagram.com/thermal_architecture_lab/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-teitelbaum-16805bb9/  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

    47 min
  4. Salutogenic Design and the Future of Prisons – Episode 132 with Helena Pombares

    APR 8

    Salutogenic Design and the Future of Prisons – Episode 132 with Helena Pombares

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Helena Pombares, a prison design architect whose work challenges how we think about justice, dignity, and the built environment. From her unexpected start rebuilding infrastructure in post-war Angola to pursuing criminology to better understand inmate needs, Helena shares a deeply human approach to one of architecture’s most misunderstood sectors. Together, they explore how thoughtful design—natural light, ventilation, intuitive layouts, and access to education—can reduce stress, support rehabilitation, and ultimately lower recidivism. Helena introduces the concept of salutogenic design and explains how creating safer, more humane environments benefits not just inmates, but society as a whole. This episode reframes prisons not as places of punishment alone, but as spaces with the potential to foster healthier futures. More About Helena Queiroz Pombares Helena Pombares is an architect and criminologist with 20 years’ experience in justice architecture, and a criminology (and paths) lecturer in the UK. Helena also possesses a masters’ degree in Prisons Architecture and is on the final steps of her journey of a Professional Doctorate degree at University of West London (UWL), researching “Salutogenic Architecture - Reshaping Prison Design for the 21st Century”. With extensive experience she works in the justice field connecting research evidence and practice base as a prison architect specialist and a researcher, bringing together architecture and criminology. Her research on salutogenic architecture of carceral spaces feeds her passion on the effects the built environment has on the users of the space, like staff and inmates, using the evidence found to inform planning and design of carceral spaces to positively impact society. CONTACT: linkedin.com/in/helena-queiroz-pombares-fhea-4606237  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

    35 min
  5. The Empty City Lie: Why We Keep Building Out While Our Best Land Sits Wasted – Episode 131 with Chelsey Jersak

    APR 1

    The Empty City Lie: Why We Keep Building Out While Our Best Land Sits Wasted – Episode 131 with Chelsey Jersak

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Chelsey Jersak, founder of Situate, to unpack one of the most overlooked opportunities in city building: infill development—and why it’s so hard to get right. From her unexpected path into urban planning to launching a company that helps developers navigate the often confusing world of zoning and approvals, Chelsey shares how small, strategic changes can unlock massive potential in our existing neighborhoods. Together, they explore the environmental and social impact of infill, from reducing emissions to combating the growing loneliness epidemic in modern cities. The conversation also dives into Wello Living, her innovative housing concept designed for the rise of roommate living and shifting lifestyle needs. This episode challenges us to rethink how we build our cities—not outward, but inward—and why the future of better living might already be right in front of us. More About Chelsey Jersak Chelsey Jersak is a trailblazing urban planner and the founder of Situate, one of Canada’s fastest-growing planning firms, as well as the co-founder of Wello Living—a bold new housing development reimagining how we live, share, and build community. With a career that spans real estate, policy reform, and systemic design, Chelsey is known for turning big ideas into real-world solutions. She helped amend Alberta’s Human Rights Act to allow children in apartment buildings, and today, she’s pioneering multi-bedroom, shared housing models that address affordability, loneliness, and the outdated myth of the nuclear family home. Splitting her time between Edmonton and Mexico City, Chelsey offers a unique, cross-border perspective on urban development. Her work challenges conventional planning norms with a simple philosophy: build for real life, not outdated ideals. Whether she’s advocating for third spaces, co-living arrangements, or more inclusive neighborhoods, Chelsey brings a refreshingly honest and practical voice to conversations about housing, community, and the future of our cities. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseyjersak/ 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

    29 min
  6. The Sustainability Illusion: Why “Green Design” Is Failing People—and What Actually Works – Ep 130 with Jenny Heim

    MAR 25

    The Sustainability Illusion: Why “Green Design” Is Failing People—and What Actually Works – Ep 130 with Jenny Heim

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Jenny Heim, Sustainable Design Leader at McMillan Pazdan Smith, to explore how truly high-performance buildings emerge at the intersection of environmental responsibility and human well-being. From her early inspiration shaped by European architecture to leading firm-wide sustainability strategies, Jenny shares how design decisions—especially those made early—can dramatically influence both carbon impact and occupant experience. The conversation dives into embodied carbon, adaptive reuse, and the growing role of mass timber, while highlighting the importance of community-driven design and collaboration across disciplines. Jenny offers practical insights on aligning client priorities with wellness outcomes, proving that sustainability and human health are not competing goals—but inseparable ones. This episode challenges us to design buildings that people don’t just use—but truly value and preserve. More About Jenny Heim Jenny Heim, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador, is a Senior Associate and the Sustainable Design Leader for McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. Jenny’s role includes serving projects with ambitious design excellence and sustainability goals, assisting clients with feasibility and budgeting, and guiding design teams toward sustainable and regenerative solutions. Her expertise in sustainability and passion for making a positive impact embody the firm’s commitment to design excellence, stewardship, and service.  Jenny has a B.Arch in Architecture from Penn State University and an M.Arch Architecture-Sustainable  Design from Texas University at Austin.  Jenny loves collaborating with teams and projects in service to clients and communities across the MPS footprint, while leading, developing, and elevating the firm’s Design Excellence and Sustainability goals aligned with the AIA 2030 Commitment and AIA Materials Pledge. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpsarchitecture/   https://www.instagram.com/mpsarchitecture    https://www.facebook.com/mpsarchitecture  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

    31 min
  7. The Story Lie: Why “Technical Excellence” Is Killing Trust—and What Actually Makes People Believe – Ep 129 with Robert Bean

    MAR 18

    The Story Lie: Why “Technical Excellence” Is Killing Trust—and What Actually Makes People Believe – Ep 129 with Robert Bean

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Robert Bean, founder of Impact Creative Studio, to explore how storytelling can transform the way we design—and experience—the built environment. From his early career as a commercial pilot to helping architects communicate purpose through film, Robert shares a deeply personal journey into creativity, connection, and meaning. Together, they unpack the power of “character-driven storytelling” and why human emotion—not technical specs—is what truly resonates with clients. The conversation dives into neuroscience, trust, and how the spaces we design can shape health, behavior, and community. Through real-world examples, Robert reveals how authentic stories can cut through greenwashing and inspire lasting impact. This episode challenges us to rethink how we communicate design—and why it matters more than ever. More About Robert Bean Robert Bean is the co-founder of IMPACT, a character-driven storytelling agency helping wellness, design, and hospitality brands uncover the deeper narrative behind their work. A former Airbus commercial pilot, Robert left a dream career in aviation to pursue a more meaningful path, one rooted in beauty, truth, and connection. Today, he brings his systems thinking and storytelling intuition to brands, helping them close the gap between who they are and how they’re seen. His work as a filmmaker has earned multiple awards worldwide for documentary and brand storytelling, and his approach blends precision, strategy, and soul in equal measure. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsbean/        https://www.instagram.com/impactfulstorytelling/ www.impact.eco  Where To Find Us: https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

    39 min
  8. Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Your “Safe” Isn’t Safe – And the Rise of the Secret Room – Ep 128 with Steve Humble

    MAR 11

    Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Your “Safe” Isn’t Safe – And the Rise of the Secret Room – Ep 128 with Steve Humble

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski steps into the world of hidden passageways, vault doors, and high-security safe rooms with Steve Humble, founder of Creative Home Engineering. What begins as a childhood fascination with spy movies evolves into a fascinating deep dive into camouflage, forced-entry protection, and the engineering behind secret doors that truly disappear. Steve shares how his background in mechanical engineering, robotics, and home automation led him to build thousands of custom security solutions for everyone from CEOs to royal clients. The conversation explores panic rooms, bullet-resistant materials, EMP protection, and the surprising vulnerabilities of traditional safes. But beyond the intrigue, this episode reveals a powerful design insight: great security isn’t just about strength—it’s about thoughtful integration, precision, and architectural harmony that protects what matters most. More About Steve Humble Steve Humble grew up in cities around the world as the son of a pilot in the US air force. In 2003 he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University. Steve started his engineering career in aerospace at Honeywell's military turbine engines division and later at the Boeing aircraft company. He went on to design both home automation systems and robotic surgical lasers before starting his own security engineering firm at the age of only 26. He founded Creative Home Engineering in 2003 and has a 10,600 square foot facility based in Ariz. The company specializes in the design and fabrication of motorized hidden passageways and covert high-security vault doors. With more than 20 years of experience and 5,000 unique secret passageways under his belt, Steve's top-secret client list is a veritable who's-who of high-profile business executives, heads-of-state, celebrities, pro-athletes, and ordinary security-minded home owners all around the globe. He also started the Hidden Door Store, a more affordable option for the person that likes to DIY.  To learn more, hiddenpassageway.com or hiddendoorstore.com. Contact: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeHomeEngineering https://www.instagram.com/hidden_passageway/   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

    42 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Welcome to the BBFH podcast. More often than not, when we think about health and wellness, our thoughts turn to diet and exercise. However, most of us spend two-thirds or more of our day inside buildings. The quality of the environment in those buildings has been proven to have a dramatic impact on our well being and our productivity, both at work and at home. There is little discussion about this in the mainstream media. It’s time to start a public dialogue about how we are affected by the buildings where we live, work and play. Thanks for listening! https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/

Information

  • Creator
    BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
  • Show Website
    Better Buildings For Humans

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