Better Buildings For Humans

BBFH is hosted by Joe Menchefski and powered 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. 3d ago

    Your Home Meets Code — But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Healthy – Episode 153 with Brian Johnson

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with builder, building biologist, and Synergy 360 founder Brian Johnson for a fascinating exploration of what it really means to create a home that supports human health. Drawing on a unique journey through construction, athletics, biohacking, and human optimization, Brian explains how those worlds eventually came together around a simple idea: instead of relying on products and technologies to compensate for unhealthy environments, why not design the building itself to support the people inside it? The conversation explores the difference between a building that is simply code compliant and one intentionally designed for health. Joe and Brian dig into indoor air quality, mold and moisture management, ventilation, filtration, non-toxic materials, mechanical systems, and the intersection between building science and building biology. Brian explains why energy efficiency and sustainability don't automatically equal a healthy building—and why understanding the relationship between our biology and the environments we inhabit requires looking far beyond conventional performance metrics. Joe and Brian also venture into water quality, electrical and wireless technologies, cleaning and maintenance, natural building materials, and Brian's concept of "biological durability"—designing homes that can remain healthy, resilient, and useful for generations. They also tackle the perception that healthy building is reserved for luxury homes, exploring how thoughtful design, better prioritization, and increasingly accessible materials and technologies could help bring these principles into more attainable housing. Ultimately, the conversation makes a compelling case for moving beyond buildings that simply avoid harming us toward environments intentionally designed to help us thrive. Brian shares his vision for scaling that movement through the Element healthy-home community and the Healthy Building Alliance, while reminding us that a truly great building begins with something that can't be measured by a certification or performance metric: the intention, care, and human connection behind the people who create it. More About Brian Johnson Brian Johnson is the founder and CEO of SENERGY360, a general contractor, building biologist, and human-optimization specialist. Combining decades of experience in construction, athletic performance, and environmental health, he designs homes as integrated systems that support health, longevity, and human performance. Through his 12 Core Systems for Healthy Building, Brian helps homeowners, architects, and contractors implement strategies for clean air, pure water, healthy lighting, low-toxicity materials, and resilient building envelopes. He is also building the Healthy Building Alliance, a national platform connecting healthy-home experts, consumers, and education. His mission is to redefine what a home can be when it is engineered to actively support human health. CONTACT: https://element.senergy360.com/   https://www.healthybuildingalliance.org/    Https://senergy360.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-johnson-senergy360-building-healthy-living-environments/  https://www.instagram.com/senergy360/?hl=en  https://www.facebook.com/brian4power/  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

    Your Home Meets Code — But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Healthy – Episode 153 with Brian Johnson

  2. Sep 2

    We’ve Engineered Nature Out of Our Buildings — And Our Bodies Are Paying the Price – Episode 152 with Lynne Peeples

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with science journalist and author Lynne Peeples for a fascinating exploration of our internal clocks—and the profound role that light and the built environment play in human health. Drawing from her book The Inner Clock, Lynne explains how circadian rhythms coordinate nearly every system in the body, why our biology depends on the natural cycle of bright days and dark nights, and what can happen when modern life pulls us out of sync. The conversation explores what happens when we spend the vast majority of our lives indoors, often disconnected from the natural light cues our bodies evolved to expect. Joe and Lynne dig into circadian disruption, sleep, cognitive performance, metabolic and cardiovascular health, shift work, and the concept of "light justice"—including the daylight and darkness deserts that disproportionately affect people living, working, learning, or healing in spaces with inadequate access to natural light. They also examine the importance of daylight in schools, hospitals, NICUs, and assisted living facilities, and why building design needs to consider biological health alongside energy efficiency and visual comfort. Joe and Lynne also venture into the emerging science surrounding full-spectrum light, including red and near-infrared wavelengths, mitochondria, and the potential relationship between indoor environments and rising rates of myopia. Along the way, Lynne shares simple ways we can better support our circadian health—from getting outside first thing in the morning and taking "circadian snacks" throughout the day to creating greater contrast between bright days and dark nights. Ultimately, the conversation makes a compelling case for buildings that reconnect us with the dynamic natural environment our bodies were designed for—through daylight, fresh air, movement, changing temperatures, and connection with other people. More About Lynn Peeples Lynne Peeples is an author, keynote speaker, and journalist covering science, health, and the environment. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Nature, and other publications. Peeples herself has appeared on various podcasts, television, and radio shows including NPR’s Fresh Air, MSNBC, and BBC News. She previously covered environmental health for The Huffington Post and began her career as a biostatistician for HIV clinical trials and environmental health studies. Peeples is a recipient of an MIT Knight Science Journalism fellowship and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation book grant. She holds master’s degrees in biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health and in science journalism from New York University. She lives in Seattle. CONTACT: https://www.facebook.com/lynne.peeples https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnepeeples/ https://x.com/lynnepeeps https://www.instagram.com/lynne.peeples/ https://lynnepeeples.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

    We’ve Engineered Nature Out of Our Buildings — And Our Bodies Are Paying the Price – Episode 152 with Lynne Peeples

  3. Aug 26

    We’re Designing Buildings for Energy — But Forgetting the Humans – Episode 151 with Paul Rogers

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with daylighting expert and architect Paul Rogers of ACC for a deep dive into the science, design, and human experience of natural light. Drawing on more than 15 years of specialized work and over a thousand daylight projects, Paul shares how a lifelong fascination with the sun evolved into a career focused on understanding how daylight interacts with buildings—and the people inside them. The conversation explores how culture, climate, urban density, building form, glazing, glare, and solar heat gain all influence successful daylighting. Paul explains why simply adding more glass isn't the answer, why daylight problems are difficult to “fix” late in the design process, and why great daylighting is ultimately about sufficiency, uniformity, and control. Joe and Paul also dig into daylight simulation, aviation glare, evolving European daylight standards, and the growing conversation around full-spectrum natural light and human health. It’s a fascinating look at daylight not simply as an architectural feature, but as a fundamental part of designing buildings for people. From fresh air and acoustics to light, temperature, longevity, and comfort, Paul makes the case that truly great buildings begin by putting human biological needs first—because ultimately, we aren't designing for the well-being of buildings; we're designing for the well-being of the people who inhabit them. More About Paul Rogers Paul Rogers is an architect and daylight specialist based in Sweden, where he leads a team at ACC Glass and Façade Consultants. He has authored key reports shaping Sweden’s daylight regulations and represents the country in the ongoing revision of the European daylight standard EN 17037. Paul advises on daylight assessment for certification systems and serves as Sweden Green Building Council’s and Nordic Ecolabel’s designated expert on daylight. He is also active as an external thesis advisor and guest lecturer, and is a frequent author and speaker on daylight. CONTACT: https://www.acc-glas.se/   https://se.linkedin.com/in/paul-rogers-47875745    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  Daylighting Expert and Architect of ACC

    We’re Designing Buildings for Energy — But Forgetting the Humans – Episode 151 with Paul Rogers

  4. Aug 19

    The Perfect Classroom Doesn't Exist — And That's the Point – Episode 150 with Will Gridley

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Will Gridley of Robert A.M. Stern Architects for a fascinating conversation about higher education design and the powerful ways classrooms shape how students learn. Drawing on his experience designing academic buildings—and a unique residency at Southern Methodist University—Will explains why there is no single “perfect classroom” and how different teaching styles require different approaches to space. The discussion explores everything from classroom geometry, furniture, technology, and acoustics to daylighting, materials, flexibility, and the importance of in-person learning. Will shares how seemingly small details can significantly influence engagement and comfort, why technology should support rather than dominate the learning environment, and why adaptable spaces are essential when designing for an unpredictable future. It’s an insightful look at what happens when architects experience their buildings through the eyes of the people who actually use them—and a reminder that great academic buildings don’t simply support learning, they create places where students want to stay, connect, discover, and engage. More About Will Gridley Will Gridley, AIA, an Associate Partner with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, specializes in higher-education building projects. He has played an integral role in academic building projects that transform campuses, including the Harvard Kennedy School Pavilions Project, the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business Expansion, and the McCourt School of Public Policy’s new home in the heart of Washington, DC. Will also currently helps to oversee multiple student housing projects nationally, comprising more than 6,000 beds. He has completed multiple projects from initial feasibility studies through construction, encompassing a variety of housing product types, delivery methods, and construction techniques. Will earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bucknell University and a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University. CONTACT: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-gridley-aia-83b60931/  https://www.kga-inc.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

    The Perfect Classroom Doesn't Exist — And That's the Point – Episode 150 with Will Gridley

  5. Aug 12

    The Greatest Barrier to Better Buildings Isn't Technology — It's Fear – Episode 149 with Eric Corey Freed

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back architect, sustainability leader, author, and Cannon Design principal Eric Corey Freed for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges many of the assumptions driving sustainable design today. Drawing on decades of experience helping clients embrace innovation, Eric explains why the biggest obstacle to better buildings isn't technology—it's fear. From healthcare and education to regenerative campuses and the circular economy, he shares practical strategies for overcoming resistance, fostering creativity, and designing environments that genuinely improve people's lives. The discussion explores everything from innovation friction, empathy-driven leadership, and regenerative design to healthy materials, daylighting, biophilic design, circular economy principles, adaptive parking structures, and the surprising power of humor in driving meaningful change. Eric also introduces his concept of "North Star Metrics"—measuring success through outcomes like butterflies, outdoor meetings, and children's laughter rather than technical performance alone—and explains why architects should focus less on selling sustainability itself and more on the healthier, happier, and more resilient buildings it creates. It's an inspiring conversation about rethinking the future of architecture—not through sacrifice or fear, but through optimism, empathy, abundance, and human-centered design. Above all, it's a reminder that the most successful buildings aren't simply efficient or sustainable—they're the ones that make people feel something, inspire better experiences, and quietly help create healthier, more joyful communities. More About Eric Corey Freed 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. CONTACT: http://www.linkedin.com/in/organicarchitect    https://www.threads.com/@ericcoreyfreed  https://www.instagram.com/ericcoreyfreed/ https://www.instagram.com/cannondesign/?hl=en  https://bsky.app/profile/ericcoreyfreed.bsky.social  https://x.com/CannonDesign  https://x.com/ericcoreyfreed  https://twitter.com/ericcoreyfreed  https://www.facebook.com/ericcoreyfreed  https://www.facebook.com/organicARCHITECT  https://www.facebook.com/CannonDesign  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

    The Greatest Barrier to Better Buildings Isn't Technology — It's Fear – Episode 149 with Eric Corey Freed

  6. Aug 5

    Most Buildings Are Designed to Shelter You — The Best Ones Are Designed to Change How You Feel – Episode 148 with Hamid Mohammadi

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect, industrial designer, and artist Hamid Mohammadi, founder of Good Place Design, for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of architecture, creativity, and human experience. Drawing on his unique background across industrial design, architecture, and contemporary art, Hamid shares why great design isn't confined to a single discipline—and how spaces, objects, and art all have the power to elevate mood, strengthen community, and deepen our connection to the natural world. The discussion explores everything from the influence of natural daylight, materials, and spatial clarity on human wellbeing to biophilic design, belonging, community, adaptive reuse, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and the creative process itself. Hamid also explains why architecture should inspire rather than simply function, how optimism has become a central theme in both his artwork and design philosophy, the importance of designing authentic spaces with honest materials, and why buildings should create meaningful connections—not only between people and nature, but between individuals and the communities around them. It's a thoughtful conversation about designing places that genuinely enrich people's lives—and a reminder that the most memorable buildings aren't defined by their size, budget, or complexity. They're the ones that foster belonging, spark optimism, encourage human connection, and quietly improve the way we experience the world every single day. More About Hamid Mohammadi Hamid is an architect with over ten years of experience in Toronto, Ontario. He is an expert in the design and construction of residential and commercial buildings, having worked for several highly respected architectural firms and a developer in Toronto, Hamid has gained valuable experience in all project phases. He brings a deep understanding of the requirements and approval processes required for creating meaningful architectural projects in the Greater Toronto Area and in different parts of Canada. From Rezoning, ZBA, OLT settlements, Construction Documents, Tender Drawing packages, project management and the construction phases of projects, Hamid brings valuable experience to all different project phases with a keen sense of integration of client requirements. Hamid is an effective listener and communicator with a strong passion for good design and the positive impacts it can have on peoples lives.   CONTACT: https://www.goodplacedesign.com/  https://www.instagram.com/hamidxvi/?hl=en  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamid-mohammadi-2b10a2140/ 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

    Most Buildings Are Designed to Shelter You — The Best Ones Are Designed to Change How You Feel – Episode 148 with Hamid Mohammadi

  7. Jul 29

    Your Building Isn't Making You Sick by Accident — Why Comfort, Air Quality & Building Science Are Designed, Not Discovered – Episode 147 with Sarah Gudeman

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Sarah Gudeman, mechanical engineer at BranchPattern, for a thought-provoking conversation about building science, indoor environmental quality, and why truly great buildings are designed around human outcomes—not just mechanical systems. Drawing on her expertise in sustainability, healthy buildings, and building performance, Sarah explains how air quality, thermal comfort, moisture management, daylight, acoustics, and resilience must work together to create spaces where people can genuinely thrive. The discussion explores everything from health-based and value-based sustainability to high-performance building envelopes, HVAC design, Passive House principles, glazing strategies, occupant comfort, and the evolving relationship between architecture and engineering. Sarah also shares why collaboration early in the design process is essential, how resilient buildings provide long-term business value, the hidden impact of bird-friendly design, and why the best engineering solutions often become invisible when they're working exactly as intended. It's an inspiring conversation about rethinking building performance through a human-centered lens—and a reminder that the world's greatest buildings aren't simply energy efficient or technologically advanced. They're the ones that quietly disappear into the background, creating healthy, comfortable, resilient environments that allow people to focus less on the building itself and more on living, learning, and doing their best work every day. More About Sarah Gudeman Sarah Gudeman is a Mechanical Engineer, Principal, and Practice Lead at BranchPattern, where she focuses on improving building performance through the lens of human health, indoor air quality, and value-driven sustainability. She’s nationally recognized for translating complex engineering challenges into practical solutions that measurably improve how people feel, function, and thrive in buildings. A frequent speaker and industry volunteer, Sarah plays an active role in shaping the future of sustainable design. As a LEED Fellow and WELL Faculty member, her work connects carbon, energy, materials, and human well-being to create healthier, more resilient spaces.  Based in Omaha, Sarah is guided by a lifelong commitment to stewardship and a shared  mission with BranchPattern: Improving Life through Better Built Environments®. CONTACT: https://www.sarah-gudeman.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahgudeman/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1TEI5p8H06gRVGEA7AOeTg  https://www.instagram.com/sarahgudeman  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

    Your Building Isn't Making You Sick by Accident — Why Comfort, Air Quality & Building Science Are Designed, Not Discovered – Episode 147 with Sarah Gudeman

  8. Jul 22

    Your Building Isn't Too Airtight — It's Breathing the Wrong Way: The Hidden Science of Healthy Buildings, Ventilation & Passive House – Episode 146 with Denise Martin

    This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Denise Martin, founder of BEO Science, for an engaging conversation about building science, Passive House design, and why healthier buildings begin with understanding the invisible forces that shape them. Drawing on her experience in Germany and New Zealand, Denise explains how air tightness, ventilation, moisture control, and energy modeling work together to create buildings that are not only more efficient, but significantly healthier and more comfortable for the people inside them. The discussion explores everything from blower door testing and thermal bridge analysis to condensation modeling, indoor air quality, overheating, and the growing importance of ventilation in modern buildings. Denise also shares why airtight buildings are often misunderstood, how poor moisture management contributes to mold and respiratory illness, and why occupant comfort can—and should—be measured just as rigorously as energy performance. It's a fascinating look at the science behind truly high-performing buildings and a reminder that the healthiest spaces aren't defined by the materials we can see—they're defined by the invisible systems that allow people to breathe easier, live more comfortably, and thrive every day. More About Denise Martin Denise Martin is a consulting Building Analyst in the residential and commercial building sectors of New Zealand and Australia and the founder of BEO Ltd. Her work spans energy efficiency and building performance modelling, hygrothermal detail analysis using WUFI, isothermal detail analysis (Flixo), and building envelope permeability testing (blower door). Denise is an Accredited Passive House Certifier, an ATTMA tester and training provider (blowerdoor). Notable projects  NZ’s first Passive House (Glendowie, Auckland): blower door testing support through certification. South Island’s first Passive House (Wānaka): airtightness verification and performance support. Bader Ventura (Kāinga Ora): Passive House multi-residential housing support (airtightness/performance verification as required). Wellington City Library (renovation): large-scale airtightness testing, including New Zealand’s first multi-fan test on a major public building. …and many projects in between: residential and commercial buildings across New Zealand and Australia, focused on comfort, moisture safety, and verified performance. CONTACT: beoscience.com  https://www.youtube.com/@beo_buildingscience  https://www.linkedin.com/company/beo-building-envelope-optimisation  https://www.instagram.com/beo_buildingscience/  https://www.facebook.com/BEObuildingscience  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

    Your Building Isn't Too Airtight — It's Breathing the Wrong Way: The Hidden Science of Healthy Buildings, Ventilation & Passive House – Episode 146 with Denise Martin
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 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
    154
  • 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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