How Much Time Do You Spend Indoors - Around 90 Percent?

95.84%. That's how much time I've spent indoors today. It is not an outlier. It is typical of a weekday. What about you?

Let me guess: Around 90%? This is not new information. We've known this for years, yet we seem to be struggling to find ways to leverage this to enhance health and well-being.

The equation is simple: Healthy buildings support healthy people, and many of the solutions are equally simple.

Here is how the California-based Healthy Buildings Design Group, Inc. puts it on their website: "We use materials that are healthier for the planet, and healthier for you and your family—from the optimal use of natural light to non-toxic materials that won't off-gas to degrade air quality and aren't produced using dangerous chemicals, to the elegant building systems that keep your home comfortable and toxin-free, to the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are doing what you can to contribute to a more sustainable planet." 

Does any of this sound radical? Out of reach?

I also love that they make it very clear that profit is also on their agenda and remind their would-be clients of one of their core values: People, Planet and Prosperity. Yes, all three. It is not an either-or proposition. It's all three.

Why am I sharing this example? Because it illustrates how, once again, design professionals are the hero in this story. You get to set basic guiding core principles and apply them across all your projects. It will not only set you apart from other firms but also benefit your pocketbook, the planet, and the people who live, love, work and play in the spaces you design.

The Healthy Buildings Design Group, Inc. developed a Periodic Table of Sustainable Elements (below) to convey the idea to their prospective clients and use it as an internal tool. A brilliantly simple yet powerful way to illustrate their commitment to healthy buildings and healthy people.

Whether your practice is all-in on healthy buildings or you have no idea where to start (or maybe not even sure you should or want to) or you are somewhere in between, check out the Healthy Buildings session in our Change by Design Series.

Here is to healthy buildings - by design.