Better Buildings For Humans

BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and brought to you by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
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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. Sustainability Is a Broken Word: Why “Green” Buildings Fail the People Inside – Ep 102 with Roberto Vega Peralta

    -5 J

    Sustainability Is a Broken Word: Why “Green” Buildings Fail the People Inside – Ep 102 with Roberto Vega Peralta

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, Joe Menchefski is joined by architect and sustainability leader Roberto Vega Peralta, Practice Director and Sustainability Director at Vocon. From his roots in Costa Rica to his globe-spanning design journey—from Seattle to San Francisco to Cleveland—Roberto shares how a deep love for nature and a commitment to community resilience shaped his architectural philosophy. They dive into what it really means to design for people first, how trauma-informed design is changing fire and police stations, and why Midwest cities like Cleveland are becoming the new frontier for performance-driven, human-centered buildings. Roberto also reveals how Vocon is tackling net-zero goals and transforming “sustainability” into a conversation about measurable performance and long-term well-being. This episode is a heart-filled, thought-provoking look at why the best buildings always start with the people inside them. More About Roberto Vega Peralta Practice Director Roberto Vega-Peralta is driven by a profound mission: harnessing the transformative potential of art and design, synergized with science and technology, to ignite change. With a vision grounded in education, economic empowerment, and environmental consciousness, he aspires to create a positive and lasting impact on our world. He specializes in crafting innovative spaces for corporate campus headquarters, hospitality, academic institutions, science and technology centers, healthcare facilities, and urban development projects.  Roberto’s commitment to excellence, paired with his unwavering dedication to using art and design as catalysts for meaningful change, sets him apart as a leader and visionary in his field. His holistic approach, fusing creativity, scientific rigor, and technological innovation, creates spaces that not only serve their practical functions but also resonate with purpose, fostering a harmonious balance between form and function. As he continues to push the boundaries of design and technology, Roberto Vega-Peralta is a driving force in the pursuit of a more enlightened, inclusive and sustainable future. CONTACT: www.linkedin.com/in/rvplab 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

    41 min
  2. Safety Theatre Is Killing Us: Why Your Building’s Emergency Plan Is a Lie – Ep 101 with Sam Mathews

    27 AOÛT

    Safety Theatre Is Killing Us: Why Your Building’s Emergency Plan Is a Lie – Ep 101 with Sam Mathews

    How do we really prepare building occupants for emergencies? This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski explores that question for the very first time—diving headfirst into the world of occupant safety with tech entrepreneur and safety design innovator Sam Mathews, founder of Loci. Sam's journey from DJ and VR creator to building safety expert is nothing short of mind-blowing. She shares how neuroscience, localization, and web-based tools like QR code-driven scavenger hunts are helping people actually learn their emergency routes and safety features—by physically walking them. The episode explores why digital twins aren’t always scalable, what architects can do to make buildings more intuitive in emergencies, and how safety should be seen as an essential element of human-centered design, not an afterthought. It’s a powerful and perspective-shifting conversation you won’t want to miss. More About Samantha Matthews Samantha Mathews is a serial entrepreneur, instructional designer, immersive media producer, and musician. She’s the founder of LOCI, a platform that generates real-world learning paths—from emergency drills to gallery tours and equipment walkthroughs. Originally developed to replace ineffective safety training with site-specific QR code drills, LOCI has grown into a broader path-making tool used to embed context directly into physical space. Sam’s driving passion is helping people feel more connected to their surroundings and better equipped to make decisions—especially when it counts. Before LOCI, she founded an immersive 3D arts and technology studio, toured internationally as a DJ, and created experiential tools for clients like Chanel, Red Bull, and the Olympics. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mathews-loci learnbyloci.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/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylight https://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/ https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltd https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

    40 min
  3. SPECIAL 100TH EPISODE OF BETTER BUILDINGS FOR HUMANS!

    20 AOÛT

    SPECIAL 100TH EPISODE OF BETTER BUILDINGS FOR HUMANS!

    We’ve hit triple digits — and we’re celebrating in style. For our 100th episode, host Joe Menchefski takes you on a one-of-a-kind journey through the best moments, most surprising insights, and unforgettable voices from our past episodes. But this isn’t just a replay — Joe’s stepping in between each segment with fresh commentary, behind-the-scenes stories, and a few unexpected twists you won’t see coming. Think of it as a time capsule, a highlight reel, and a backstage pass all rolled into one. You might think you know what’s coming… but trust us — you don’t. 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

    51 min
  4. Is Concrete is Killing Us? Rethinking Architecture from the Ground Up – Ep 99 with Alexandra Nikolova and Jonas Aversøg

    13 AOÛT

    Is Concrete is Killing Us? Rethinking Architecture from the Ground Up – Ep 99 with Alexandra Nikolova and Jonas Aversøg

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Alexandra Nikolova and Jonas Aversøg, founders of NA Architects in Copenhagen, for a bold conversation on the future of construction. Specializing exclusively in bio-based and recyclable materials, NA Architects is reimagining how buildings are made—from structural systems to interior finishes. Alexandra and Jonas share how their global journey, from China to London to Denmark, inspired them to challenge the conventions of concrete and steel. They dive into the potential of materials like hemp, straw, clay, cork, and even fish scales, exploring performance, cost, fire safety, and biophilic benefits. From stunning aesthetics to holistic building science, this episode is a masterclass in designing for humans and the planet—where every surface tells a story, and buildings evolve with time. More About Alexandra Nikolova and Jonas Aversøg Alexandra Nikolova and Jonas Aaraø are the co-founder of n/a, an architecture and design studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a strong international focus. Rooted in Scandinavian culture, the studio approaches design at all scales from a humanistic and pragmatic perspective, working exclusively with bio-based and recyclable building materials. Both hold a Master of Science in Architecture from Aalborg University, Denmark, Alexandra and Jonas bring extensive experience from some of the world’s most renowned architecture and design offices in Beijing, London, and Copenhagen. Their approach to architecture integrates technical, artistic, and humanistic elements, shaping designs that are both functional and sustainable. At n/a, sustainability is at the core of every project. The studio houses a curated collection of over 200 bio-based materials, categorized for all aspects of construction—from foundations to interiors. By investigating the past and understanding the present, the studio strives to create innovative, user-oriented solutions that contribute to a circular economy. Recently they founded a bio-based material company, Materials We Like, in order to support their architecture and design projects directly with supplying bio-based and low carbon materials from around the world directly to construction sites. With “Materials We Like” their commitment to not only thinking about a different type of architecture, but ensuring that they are executed and realised, is underlined. Through their leadership in these two companies working in tandem, they provide at full scope service for any client spanning all architecture and engineering disciplines and delivering the physical materials needed for the construction. The studio’s guiding principle, "never boring / always biobased," reflects their commitment to redefining architecture through sustainable, forward-thinking design. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-nikolova/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-aarsoe/https://www.aboutna.com/ 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

    42 min
  5. Are We Failing Future Doctors? The Hidden Power of Medical School Design – Ep 98 with Karen Parzych

    6 AOÛT

    Are We Failing Future Doctors? The Hidden Power of Medical School Design – Ep 98 with Karen Parzych

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski is joined by Karen Parzych, architect at The SLAM Collaborative, to explore the fascinating world of medical education facility design. Karen shares insights from her experience designing over 50 health science buildings across the U.S., focusing on how thoughtful architecture supports rigorous learning, simulation-based training, student well-being, and even interprofessional collaboration. The conversation highlights real-world examples like the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Duquesne University, where building design fosters community, flexibility, and future-proofed technology. From creating spaces for virtual anatomy and 3D printing to designing for quiet reflection and mental health, Karen reveals how these facilities serve as both training grounds and memory machines. This is a deep dive into how architecture can shape the next generation of healthcare professionals—and the future of medicine itself. More About Karen Parzych Karen Parzych is a Principal at The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) and serves as the firm-wide Higher Education National Market Leader with expertise in Medical and Health Sciences Education. Passionate about making the world a better place by creating spaces that bring people together, she has contributed to the design innovation of notable projects across the continental US. She specializes in medical, nursing, and health professions higher education facilities including the programming, planning, and detailing of inter-professional immersive simulation suites, active learning classrooms, anatomy labs, and student life spaces. With this deep understanding of unique design requirements, Karen helps institutions develop spaces to serve the current and future needs of the ever-evolving landscape of health sciences education. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech with a Minor in Leadership & Social Change, and is a professional member of AIA, NCARB, the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-glass-parzych-aia-45ba4311/  https://slamcoll.com/firm/profile/karen-parzych/  https://slamcoll.com/ https://slamcoll.com/blog/wellness-focused-medical-school-design/  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

    44 min
  6. Are Buildings Designed to Die? How Circular Construction Could Save Our Cities – Ep 97 with Felix Heisel

    30 JUILL.

    Are Buildings Designed to Die? How Circular Construction Could Save Our Cities – Ep 97 with Felix Heisel

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Felix Heisel, Director of Cornell University’s Circular Construction Lab, for a deep dive into why designing for disassembly could transform our built environment—and our economy. Felix unpacks how buildings account for 50% of all extracted materials and 41% of global CO₂ emissions, and explains why rethinking end-of-life strategies is critical. They explore the concept of buildings as material banks, the power of local reuse over global recycling, and why a Lego-like approach to construction can unlock new jobs, preserve cultural heritage, and eliminate waste. From policy innovations in New York State to the promise of salvaged timber grading, this conversation reveals how circular construction can create healthier cities—and a more resilient future. More About Felix Heisel Felix Heiselis is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Circular Construction Lab at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. He is a faculty fellow at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and a graduate field member in architecture, systems engineering, and design technology. Heisel is a licensed architect in Germany and partner of 2hs Architekten und Ingenieur PartGmbB, an office specialized in the development of circular prototypologies. Heisel’s scholarship focuses on a systemic redesign of the built environment as a material depot of endless use and reconfiguration. He has received various awards for his work and published several books and articles on the topic, including Building Better- Less-Different: Circular Construction and Circular Economy( Birkhäuser,2022); Urban Mining und kreislaufgerechte sBauen(Urban Mining and Circular Construction, Fraunhofer IRB, 2021); Cultivated Building Materials(Birkhäuser, 2017), and Building from Waste(Birkhäuser, 2014). Heisel graduated from the Berlin University of the Arts and has been teaching and researching at universities around the world, including the Berlage Institute, the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction, and City Developments, the Future Cities Laboratory Singapore; ETH Zürich; and Harvard GSD. The Circular Construction Lab(CCL)at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning houses a design research program that advances the paradigm shift from linear material consumption towards a circular economy within an industrialized construction industry.  At the intersection of architecture, engineering, material and computer science, as well as economics, the lab investigates new concepts, methods, and processes to (1) design and construct buildings as the material depots for future construction, and (2) activate the potential of the built environment as an 'urban mine' for today's construction. CCL understands architecture as part of a regenerative and restorative cycle and sees design as a vehicle that can advance this ambition with excellence in teaching and research. Through close collaborations with academic, industrial, and legislative/ political partners, the lab ensures the relevance of its work and promotes the direct and full-scale implementation of research results towards a more sustainable, low/ no-carbon, circular construction industry. CONTACT: http://ccl.aap.cornell.edu felix.heisel@cornell.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/felix-heisel/  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

    39 min
  7. Are Architects Failing Nature? Reclaiming Buildings as Living Systems – Ep 96 with Philip Donovan

    23 JUILL.

    Are Architects Failing Nature? Reclaiming Buildings as Living Systems – Ep 96 with Philip Donovan

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Philip Donovan of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting for an inspiring deep dive into designing buildings that uplift all systems of life. Philip shares how growing up in Florida’s wild landscapes—and seeing the world from a thousand feet in an open cockpit—sparked his passion for connecting architecture to nature. He explains how Little’s Regen CoLab moves beyond sustainability to regeneration, weaving local ecology, human well-being, and resilience into every project. From poplar logs reclaimed from Charlotte roadwork to a living building that harvests water and grows community, Philip shows how design can be both deeply local and globally impactful. If you’ve ever wondered how architecture can help us fall in love with life again, this episode is for you. More About Philip Donovan Philip Donovan is an architect, partner, and national director for sustainability and regeneration at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting. With over 25 years of experience, he specializes in designing high-performance, zero-carbon environments that deliver resilient, regenerative outcomes for the larger communities of life they are a part of. Philip has served as project architect on five net-zero energy schools, including Discovery Elementary School, the first LEED Zero school in the U.S., NeoCity Academy, Florida’s first zero-energy school; and the 4Roots Carbon Neutral  Mass Timber Education Building.  He has also been a project leader for two AIA COTE Top Ten award-winning projects: Discovery Elementary and Alice West Fleet Elementary. A passionate advocate for sustainability and resiliency, Philip is a member of the Florida State AIA Advisory Council on Resilient Design, the Green Energy Taskforce for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and the Orange County Sustainability and Resiliency Committee. He has contributed as a technical peer reviewer for the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 Schools: Achieving Zero Energy and as a reviewer for the USGBC’s Center for Green Schools. Philip has served on the Mount Dora Historic Planning Commission and currently sits on the advisory board for the College of Community Innovation & Education at the University of Central Florida. An accomplished speaker, he has presented at national and international conferences including Greenbuild, on zero-resource buildings, resiliency, and climate adaptation. CONTACT: www.linkedin.com/in/philipmdonovan 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

    45 min
  8. Is Construction Killing Sustainability? Rethinking Waste with AI – Ep 95 with Todd Thomas

    16 JUILL.

    Is Construction Killing Sustainability? Rethinking Waste with AI – Ep 95 with Todd Thomas

    In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Todd Thomas, founder of Woodchuck.ai, to reveal how AI is revolutionizing construction waste—and fueling a circular economy. Todd explains how Woodchuck uses smart dumpsters and computer vision to identify, sort, and transform tens of millions of tons of discarded wood into new materials, clean energy, and even hydrogen. From reducing landfill volume by 40% to creating zero-carbon biomass processing, Todd breaks down why sustainability doesn’t have to cost more—it can save money and extend landfill life. They also explore the future of mass timber, the promise of molten salt reactors, and the power of planning for circularity at the design stage. This conversation is a fascinating look at how technology can close the loop in building and demolition. More About Todd Thomas Todd Thomas is a recognized voice in AI, innovation and entrepreneurship, and is the best-selling author of Unleashing Abundant Energy. Todd has built his career harnessing emerging technologies to drive efficiencies and create new commercialization opportunities. Todd has an Economics degree from Claremont McKenna College, has studied Strategy Execution at the Harvard Business School, and has an MBA and a Masters in Economics from the WP Carey School of Business, ASU.Todd is the Founder & CEO of Woodchuck, a climate impact startup dedicated to transforming waste into valuable resources, reducing landfill usage, and unleashing an abundant energy future! CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-thomas-52021433/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/unleashing-abundant-energy/?viewAsMember=true https://www.linkedin.com/company/woodchuckai/?viewAsMember=true 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

    38 min
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À propos

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/

Informations

  • Créateur
    BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and brought to you by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
  • Années d’activité
    2023 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    102
  • Classement
    Tout public
  • Copyright
    © BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and brought to you by Advanced Glazings, Ltd.
  • Site Web de l’émission
    Better Buildings For Humans

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