Confused? Find Clarity in Material Health & Sustainability

Program Summary

 

This CEU is accredited for 0.1 IDCEC CEU/HSW, 1 GBCI hour, and 1 AIA LU/HSW. Specifying sustainable materials and products have consequences for health and the environment - some intentional, and some can be unintentional, if not fully vetted based on the built environment application and performance requirements of the end user. Each project requires prioritization of project needs including the maintenance of materials and products post occupancy. From the beginning of the programming process, prioritization of the project goals, including but not limited to aesthetics, price, durability, anticipated product service life, material health, embodied carbon, and circularity, have to be established and agreed upon by the integrated design team and client representatives.

 

Although designers focus on aesthetics - as that is the primary goal in creating experiential spaces, it is necessary to know the end user needs and balance the beauty of the design with the performance characteristics needed to avoid unintentional consequences, such as premature product failure, maintenance and cleaning issues, human health issues with noise, acoustics, thermal comfort, lighting comfort, etc. and the various impacts of different products being considered for floors, walls, and ceilings.

 

Learning Objectives

• Understand the required product characteristics that contribute to a sustainable product solution.

• Learn to take a multiple attribute approach to product and materials selections.

• Learn the importance of establishing Owner Project Requirements and goals that include material health, sustainable attributes, and performance.

• Understand where to consistently access sustainable and material health.

 

View the On-Demand webinar here.